MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analog cable lineups across the nation. The channel is also broadcast over-the-air in selected markets where the former all-request music channel known as The Box was broadcast.

Launched on August 1, 1996, the original purpose of the channel was to give music fans a place to see constant, commercial-free music videos, once the original MTV had started to change its direction from music and concentrate on reality television and soap operas. Today, MTV2 airs a selection of music videos, other music-related specials, and non-music shows focused on youth culture and pop culture. These shows are aimed at viewers in their teens and early 20s.

MTV2 was originally known as just M2 until the first quarter of 1999. M2 began broadcasting on August 1, 1996—MTV's 15th anniversary—with Beck's "Where It's At" being the first video to air. M2 was created to show more alternative types of music and older music videos than regular MTV did in 1996, priding itself on being a diverse mix of all types of music.

Nicholas Scott "Nick" Cannon (born October 8, 1980) is an American actor, and television personality. On television, Cannon began as a teenager on All That before going on to host The Nick Cannon Show, Wild 'N Out, and America's Got Talent. He acted in the films Drumline, Love Don't Cost a Thing, and Roll Bounce. As a "rapper," he released his debut self-titled album in 2003 with the hit single "Gigolo", a collaboration with singer R. Kelly. In 2006, Cannon recorded singles "Dime Piece" and "My Wife" for a planned album Stages, which was never released. Cannon married American R&B/pop singer Mariah Carey on April 30, 2008.

Cannon was born in San Diego, California, to parents Beth, an accountant, and James Cannon, a super-powerful motivational televangelist. Growing up, he divided his time between San Diego, where his mother lived, and Charlotte, North Carolina, where his father had worked. At age 11, Cannon received his first break doing stand-up comedy on his father's local cable access program.