Ralph McDaniels (born February 27, 1959) is an American music video director, DJ and VJ.

[2] McDaniels was born in Brooklyn, New York, and moved with his parents to Queens when he was 11 years old.

[3] In 1983, after interning at WNYC in New York City, and subsequently becoming a radio engineer, McDaniels created Studio 31 Dance Party, a television show revolving around recordings of music performances.

[4] This show would transform into Video Music Box, which was created and hosted by McDaniels and Martin.

[4][5] In 1994, McDaniels who became known as "Uncle Ralph", directed Rapper Nas first solo video, for his second single, "It Ain't Hard to Tell".