In a throwback to the '80s glory days of Yo! MTV Raps, MTV will expand and unify its hip-hop music and lifestyle programming and content across all of its multiple channels and screens under the brand name MTV Jams.

The move effectively extends MTV Jams from a 24-hour digital channel across all online properties, including MTV, MTV2 and MTV.com in its coverage of hip-hop music, lifestyle, fashion and culture. The initiative includes the launch of Jams.MTV.com, a new digital home for all of MTV’s hip-hop content, a new weekly series on MTV2 called The Week in Jams debuting Oct. 28, new hip-hop experts that will join MTV News’ Sway Calloway as the voice of hip hop across all MTV brands, as well as presenting a series of concert tours that will provide fans exclusive access to their favorite artists starting with the forthcoming Trey Songz “Chapter V” tour featuring Miguel.

Said EVP MTV Music & Talent Programming Amy Doyle: “MTV has been a pioneer and leader in expanding hip-hop culture from a regional movement in the early ’80s to a cultural powerhouse that now extends across all ages, races and regions, which has truly crossed over into a lifestyle more than just a genre of music. We’re once again looking to innovate in the space to make hip hop artists and culture more accessible to a wider fan base than ever before.”

Launched in 2002, MTV Jams is a 24-hour digital music channel devoted exclusively to hip-hop music videos and programming. The channel now reaches nearly 29 million homes and has seen considerable growth in households (up 38% since 2008) and a social footprint that includes more than 100k Twitter followers. MTV Jams will now serve as the umbrella brand for all MTV hip-hop properties.

Beginning Oct. 23, a new digital hub for all MTV’s hip-hop content will launch at Jams.MTV.com, including everything from MTV News and Rapfix interviews and blog posts, digital music video premieres and playlists, as well as expert commentary and packages from the cast of The Week in Jams. MTVJams.com will be deeply integrated with MTV’s recently announced artist platform, Artists.MTV.

MTV2 will relaunch Sucker Free Countdown as The Week in Jams, beginning Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. ET/PT, followed by additional airings on MTV Jams. The new show’s expanded focus will include the latest in the hip-hop lifestyle, from music to fashion, gear to sports and, of course, real talk.

MTV has recruited a number of contributors that will serve as the hosts of The Week in Jams, including: mixtape legend, radio personality and television host DJ Envy, industry insider, radio personality and cast member of MTV2’s Guy Code Charlamagne Tha God, Motown Records recording artist and songwriter Sofi Green, West Coast mover and shaker Maestro, and West Coast radio personality and nationally syndicated nighttime radio host Nessa. They will join MTV’s hip hop expert, Sway Calloway, a radio host, record producer, hip-hop artist and MTV News correspondent.

MTV will celebrate the upcoming premiere of The Week in Jams this Saturday (10/13) as Sway and his crew host a special “Hip Hop Homecoming” movie marathon throughout the day, with showings of How High, Notorious, 8 Mile and Get Rich or Die Trying.

MTV is launching a series of tours throughout the year to highlight a variety of artists. Building upon the recent success of the Tyga tour, MTV Jams promote the upcoming Trey Songz/Miguel tour through promo spots airing across MTV channels, digitally supported via Artists.MTV, MTV/MTV Jams social media including Facebook/Twitter, and editorially via Rapfix, Buzzworthy and MTV News. MTV Jams will also debut exclusive tour diaries from Trey and Miguel taped on the road that will also be featured on each artist’s Artists.MTV page.

In the coming months, MTV will announce additional MTV Jams-branded programming and initiatives.