Vibe, the magazine founded by super producer Quincy Jones to chronicle the epic rise of hip-hop and urban culture into the mainstream, is folding.
Just shy of its 16th anniversary, the magazine had grown into one of the biggest music publications in the country. The staff was working to complete a commemorative Michael Jackson issue when it shut down this week.
''It is with great sadness, and with heads held high, that we leave the building today,'' said Danyel Smith, Vibe editor-in-chief. ``We were assigning and editing a Michael Jackson tribute issue when we got the news. It's a tragic week overall. . . . It's a sad day for music, for hip-hop in particular.''
Often called the black Rolling Stone, the magazine was one of the first national publications to recognize the then-regional Miami bass sound and later covered the careers of Luther ''Uncle Luke'' Campbell, Trick Daddy, Trina, Pitbull and Rick Ross.
Another publishing casualty of the recession-related ad revenue decline, the magazine had a paid circulation of roughly 800,000 during the last six months of 2008. A Vibe official said the company staff of 50 will be laid off.
Other magazines that have recently shut down include Portfolio, Domino and Blender.
-- AUDRA D.S. BURCH
Another publishing casualty of the recession-related ad revenue decline, the magazine had a paid circulation of roughly 800,000 during the last six months of 2008. A Vibe official said the company staff of 50 will be laid off.
Other magazines that have recently shut down include Portfolio, Domino and Blender.
-- AUDRA D.S. BURCH
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