MTV started in 1981. The television channel was one of the first to show music videos. Think Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” full of Zombies or Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” These short videos weren’t just snips of an artist’s talent, they were full blown productions. Cut to today, and music videos seem like a thing of the past. What happened? Why did radio kill the video star?
The Jingles Used To Go
The Buggles made a song titled “Video Killed The Radio Star.” Coincidentially, this song was the first to appear on MTV with a music video. Back then, television was the thing. There were no streaming services; binge-watching was controlled by cable and physical DVDs.
MTV had a firm grip on society in the 1980s. The channel played artists’ videos non-stop, every day. It was the first of its kind, and like with every new technology, it made teenagers obsessed. The channel’s annual awards, at the time, were given the same musical credit as the Oscars did for acting.
You Were The First One
As the 2000s rolled in, the channel moved away from music videos and into addictive reality TV shows. However, this wasn’t the end for music artists, as Vevo started in 2009. This was (and always will be) the MTV for Gen Z. We were hooked on this channel from our very first clip.
Think of Nicki Minaj’s iconic “Starships” or Justin Bieber’s “Baby.” Giants in the music industry used Vevo as a channel to share their videos with millions. Every time a new video came out, it felt like a mini holiday. We would watch and rewatch them until our eyes hurt. Unfortunately, as time passed, Gen Z grew up and so did the media landscape.
You Were The Last One
In 2025, apps like Spotify and Apple Music are essential. It’s how we listen to our favorite songs to help us get through the day. Rarely, do we stop to look at the 3D visuals applied, much less the artist’s new video. With music as our background, it seems that these once mighty productions have fallen.
Yes, music videos are still being released by artists. Yet, there’s not a single company that brings them all together. Though they still bring in audiences, it seems the urgency has faded into the air. The radio, revamped through apps, has stolen its spotlight back.
What are your thoughts about music videos? Let us know @VALLEYMag on Instagram!
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