| The Cut | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Reality television |
| Created by | Adam Tyler and Edna Sims |
| Presented by | Lisa Lopes |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Adam Tyler Kathy Cotter |
| Producer | Ifeanyi Njoku |
| Running time | 22-26 approx. without commercials |
| Original release | |
| Network | MTV |
| Release | September 28 – December 12, 1998 |
| Related | |
| American Idol | |
| Infobox instructions (only shown in preview) | |
The Cut is a 1998 MTV talent series, hosted by TLC member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. It was the first in a line of televised song contests that later included American Idol. A handful of would-be pop stars, rappers, and rock bands competed against each other and were judged. The prizes were a record deal and MTV's funding to produce a music video, which would enter MTV's heavy rotation.
The season was won by a male-female rap duo named Silk-E, with rapper Lil' Noah taking second place.[1] Anastacia, a then unknown singer-dancer, also made the finale, but did not win. Other notable contestants include R&B singer and songwriter Ne-Yo (then a member of R&B group Envy) and hip-hop duo Emanon, which featured a little-known Aloe Blacc.