VIBE Magazine…it’s over…i guess..

: My Favorite Cover & Issue…Pac Feb. 94

“…cool on food for thought, but for you I’m a starver…”-Lupe

…So as I listen to ex-editor in Chief Danyel Smith talk to Angela Yee about the end of VIBE. I can’t help but to wonder if this is something that we need to be concerned about. I mean quite frankly, over the years, it seems as though the magazine has turned into a over-glamorized ‘urban’ publication that once held the ‘meat and bones’ of content and as the latter seemed to be lacking….but then I counter my inquiry by giving VIBE magazine the credit that it deserves for being one of the leaders in ‘urban’ magazines and essentially bridging the gap of Hip-Hop and popular culture as we know it. Initially created by by Quincy Jones, the magazine who is now a ‘was’ used to be the ‘it’ of all ‘urban’ publications.

…It is rather obvious that within the last several years, the Internet has allowed readers and listeners alike to receive all of the information that they want in the quickest time possible, which means that all of the periodicals may fall short because their turn around time isn’t quick enough…and though VIBE incorporated a website, I’m sure that in some circumstances, this could have caused a hinder rather than a helping hand.

…But going back to my original notion, I am saddened that people who have contributed to the publication may be jobless and it’s not like the economy is switching anytime soon.I am also concerned about what message this conveys to all of those aspiring journalists, photographers and entrepreneurs who dreamed of one day seeing their work in print. (Does the dream become deferred?) Though, a glimmer of hope did rise when I learned that VIBE creator Quincy Jones may be in the midst of trying to save the publication, it may just reignite online…but hey, you can’t knock him for trying…I mean, I have tons of questions about this, but…

-If VIBE was given the chance to come back,what would change?

-What have we learned from this happening, if anything?

-Would the articles be different?

-Would the content be different?

-Would the advertising disappear?

-Who would be on the first new issue?

-And for heaven’s sake! Why are Dream and Christina Milian on the last issue?