What was the first video to air on MTV by a black artist?

gtho4

this is from http://www.indiana.edu/%7Et311/timeline/1980aswart.html It was only with the phenomenal success of Michael Jackson and his 'Thriller' album of 1983 that MTV and its harsh color barrier format were broken. It was Jackson and his 'pluralistic market appeal' that paved the way for himself and subsequently other African-American artists. Even Jackson's airing was met with difficulty. Both 'Billy Jean' and 'Beat It' - two songs enjoying enormous success on American radio waves were initially rejected by MTV. It was only when MTV realized the money it stood to lose due to its exclusionary format that it allowed Jackson to be aired. Incidentally, both of Jackson's videos went on to become 'two of the most popular videos ever aired on MTV' - putting to rest MTV's belief that it was only R and R which its target demographic desired. Jul 26 01, 10:37 AM

SAYBOW69

actually tina turner, donna summer, eddie grant and musical youth "pass the dutchie" were all black artist aired on mtv before jackson, but michael jackson`s "bille jean" is credited with having been first black video played in heavy rotation and "breaking the barrier" but was not the first black artist aired Jun 26 09, 9:35 PM

billy2times

I have been researching this the past couple days since Michael Jackson's death and every one saying he was first. Several black artist were played before him. Pass The Dutchie by Musical Youth and 1999 by Prince were both in heavy rotation on MTV before Billie Jean. Both were considered crossover hits with appeal to MTv's audience. Yes, Michael Jackson did make them look at their programming format and expand it to meet his style of music, but he was not first Jul 04 09, 1:30 PM

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