Anyone buy hip-hop magazines anymore?
BigK
97 Posts
I used to buy The Source back in the day, I stopped around the mid-90s (I think around the time they got in some "proper" writers, i.e. boring writers who didn't know as much hip-hop)
I recently picked up a copy just to peep how it is now (I missed the whole Benzino thing, thankfully), and it's err, kinda odd. It has a bunch of stuff on random topics, the environment, some bits of politics, gadgets... I can't really see what they're trying to do with it
Does anyone here still buy hip-hop magazines, or even magazines of any kind?
Nowadays I just read interviews online and rather than read reviews, I just peep albums on youtube when they drop
I recently picked up a copy just to peep how it is now (I missed the whole Benzino thing, thankfully), and it's err, kinda odd. It has a bunch of stuff on random topics, the environment, some bits of politics, gadgets... I can't really see what they're trying to do with it
Does anyone here still buy hip-hop magazines, or even magazines of any kind?
Nowadays I just read interviews online and rather than read reviews, I just peep albums on youtube when they drop
Comments
i would really like to see a mag that caters to the 4 elements, interviewing writers, b-boys, emcees, and dj's with no real focus on one or the other...but in this day and age, thats highly doubtful...
Well, maybe I would if there were still magazines around.
What few there are are shrinking in size and content, so there's no need in forking over the cash.
When I found out that the new issue of Ugly Things was out, I called around from store to store wondering who had a copy. Finally found one the other day, but it's been quite a while since I've had that kind of devotion to a magazine's publication.
There used to be a time where there'd be as many as 9-10 free fanzines by the record store door to keep my mind occupied on the train/bus ride home. Those days are gone, long gone.
Word, that would be ill, even as a proper website even
Save the paper - the internet has way too much shit.
i used to buy MIX magazine (not the rave or die one) so i could keep up with the haps in whats new as far as equipment and gear goes, but that became hard to find and i was only able to find it in one store 5 miles across the city..the only magazines that i will buy now are graffiti magazines and books, i have a huge collection of graffiti books and shit that i started collecting in the early 90's and continue to buy....
but thats about the only real magz i buy unless i find sumthin that um totally in to....
this.
As an archivist it also really bugs me that The Source and other rap mags haven't made an effort to make their back catalog available.
I was floored at how bad it was.
I would not even call it a shadow of its former self.
Nevermind the writing, but some pages were not even readable due to lay-out and colour schemes.
Oh yea - I buy XXL. Internal politics aside, I like to support them.
I would like a subscription to Ozone, but don't see anything in their rates about shipping to Canada - can someone talk to them about that for me? Thank You.
Now? Use the interwebs.
Wax Poetics, subscribed starting number 2.
They have never, ever sent me a renewal notice.
l have reupped numerous times when l noticed my subscription ran out.
l am done with them.
l get the Nature Conservancy mag, which l read.
Daily paper which includes Parade, which l read. :red:
l like to read Time or Newsweek while sitting in waiting rooms.
That's about it.
even when the article tells you nothing you don't already know, they dredge up these amazing, seldom-seen photos (possibly by tracking down the original photog?). Case in point: the Gil Scott-Heron piece that runs in the new ish.
That's the chief reason I check for it--the writing is typically really bad.
Honestly, I never really properly checked out Wax Poetics... what's bad about the writing?
To me, it varies depending on the writer.
i now only read mags (wax poetics/xxl/record collector) in Borders on friday nights as i watch the open mic they host.
peace,xavier
Word, especially that 88-94 period, that should be available to go through, that's some fundamental history right there (after that, not so much)
Even though I like Wax Poetics, some of the interviews kinda seem like missed opportunities. The Ice-T interview for example. Sure it's cool to hear him reminisce about Uncle Jamm's Army and how he got started, but I'd rather hear him tell some crazy stories from, you know, HIS OWN CAREER AS AN ARTIST.
I'd want longer interviews with the rap producers too, not just their top ten James Brown/Curtis Mayfield/Sly Stone albums. I miss Big Daddy.
WP is still maybe the only mag worth buying though. I've never picked up Shook yet, but I might give it a chance. There's still something about reading a mag, versus the internet. I'm not about to sit on the toilet with my macbook on my lap just yet.
Same, I find most interviews are kinda odd, they're either ones where they ask a bunch of questions that are going to seem pointless/out-of-date in a week or two - (what was it like shooting the video? it was cool. when is your next album coming out? soon. what was it like working with Big Rap Producer? it was great.)
Or the interviewer thinks they're being "different" and they have a convo all about sports or politics or whatever. Which is like interviewing a baker and asking them about teaching Japanese.
I recently saw this dope interview with Kool G Rap, where they actually asked him about his actual job for a change, which was refreshing -
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.1544/title.kool-g-rap-teaches-rapping
Im glad they didnt give an overveiw of his career having him talk about Body Count for the 400th time.
Or his New Jack Swing/ Acting career nonsense.
I never knew about his roots in LA and what dudes were influential to his early scene.
extra evens - automatic penalty
yep. that was pretty special. apparently george is writing a book these days.
if you do read shook, let me know what you think mjukis.