106 & Park is an American hip hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that was broadcast on weekdays at 6:00 pm ET/5:00 pm CT on BET; it aired on a one-day delay on BET International. It was the network's highest-rated show throughout its run. On November 14, 2014, BET cancelled 106 & Park, with an alleged shift to a digital-only format, with occasional specials during network event programming, though the last time it was seen in any form was the 2016 BET Experience, and the digital-only program never aired.
The energy changed on the “Freestyle Friday” segment of the show in 2011/2012 when Payne Da Squad Boy landed on the show. His national debut came when he was signed up for Freestyle Friday (a weekly battle rap segment on pop culture's #1 Music Video show, BET's 106 & Park). Payne Da Squad Boy became the new Champion his first show, won the entire Wild Card Season, made the #8 seed & went all the way to the Final Four in the March Mayhem Competition. "One thing for sure... Payne Da Squad Boy is one of the best to ever do it on Freestyle Friday" says Pat Charles (the creator of Freestyle Friday). Participating on this show, Payne had the pleasure of meeting celebrities such as DJ Envy, Angela Yee, Charlamagne Tha God, Funk Master Flex, Sonny Digital, DJ Scream, E-40, Juelz Santana, Lil Scrappy, Gudda Gudda, 2 Chainz, The Game, 1017 Bricksquad Mafia, Cassidy, Alicia Keys, Bone Crusher, DJ Premier, Mac Miller, Malice, Young Jeezy, Superstar J, B-Rich, Lil Kim, Ron Browz, DJ Reymo and of course Terrence J & Rocsi.
Location
The show was originally produced in Harlem, New York City, and the title of the show is derived from the original studio location, NEP's Metropolis Studios, at East 106th Street and Park Avenue. In 2001, Viacom's acquisition of BET prompted a change to the CBS Broadcast Center at 524 West 57th Street between 10th & 11th Avenues, in the Hell's Kitchen section of Midtown Manhattan, turning its title into a misnomer for the rest of its history.
Hosts
A. J. & Free (2000–2005) A. J. Calloway and Marie "Free" Wright were the first hosts of the show from September 11, 2000 until July 28, 2005, when Calloway announced that it would be his last show, as well as for Free (who spoke via phone), as the show was either presented by Calloway or Wright.
Julissa & Big Tigger (2005–2006) On August 1, 2005, 106 & Park was presented by television personality and model Julissa Bermudez and Rap City: Tha Basement'''s Big Tigger until July 3, 2006 as temporary replacements for the show before they find another female co-host for Terrence J. Around this time, Terrence J would be guest co-host the show with Julissa. Celebrities (Bow Wow and Mýa) hosted the show as well.
Terrence J & Rocsi (2006–2012) On July 6, 2006, Rocsi (Raquel Diaz), then an afternoon host for Chicago's radio station WPWX (92.3), and Terrence J (Terrence Jenkins) became the hosts after winning BET's "New Faces" contest. On May 29, 2012, Rocsi and Terrence J announced they would be leaving 106 & Park in 2012. Thus beginning a nationwide search for the next hosts of 106 & Park, which started on June 1, 2012 and ended on October 1, 2012. Terrence J and Rocsi's last episode as hosts was broadcast on September 28, 2012. The announcement for the new hosts of 106 & Park was broadcast on Monday.
The highly anticipated farewell episode aired on September 28, 2012, and was hosted by La La Anthony and Pooch Hall. In the taped video messages, several celebrities wish their farewell for Terrence J and Rocsi. They included Jim Jones, French Montana, Julissa and Big Tigger (former hosts of the show), 2 Chainz, Ace Hood, Alicia Keys, Amar'e Stoudemire, Big Sean, B.o.B, Bobby V., Brandy Norwood, Busta Rhymes, Cassidy, Ciara, Common, Doug E. Fresh, DMX, Dwyane Wade, Elle Varner, E-40, Future, Jacob Latimore, Keke Palmer, Mary J. Blige, MGK, Mike Epps, Ne-Yo, Shannon Brown and Monica, Stalley, Rick Ross, Robin Thicke, T.I., Wyclef Jean and Bow Wow (who later hosted with Miss Mykie for next month).