According to DailyFinance.com: "Vibe magazine, the urban-music magazine founded in 1993 by Quincy Jones, is the latest victim of the media recession. An assistant in the office of editor in chief Danyel Smith confirmed that the title is ceasing publication. No further information was immediately available. A call to Vibe Media CEO Steve Aaron went to voicemail."
While not as dramatic a closing as the possible demise of the Ebony/Jet media enterprise, this news still stuns. When it launched, Vibe set out to give black music and artists prominent display, at a time when such respect was rare. The community owes this entity a debt for giving African American artists a space to shine. Will any other magazine be able to fill this void?
Michelle Obama Covers
Us Weekly: June 2008
Wondering "why Barack loves her?" Us sought to answer that relatively easy question last June.
Us Magazine
The New Yorker: July 2008
The magazine's editor claimed satire. However, no one but Obama's G.O.P. detractors found the depiction of Michelle as an armed militant and Barack as a terrorist particularly funny.
New Yorker/AP
Radar: September 2008
Using a doctored photo, Radar splashed an austere image on its cover and asked "What's So Scary About Michelle Obama?" The question was in response to anti-Michelle backlash.
Radar
Ladies Home Journal: September 2008
In a joint Q&A with her husband, Michelle told LHJ, "Finding balance has been the struggle of my life and my marriage, in being a woman, being a professional, being a mother."
Ebony: September 2008
Back when she was just a "first lady hopeful", Mrs. Obama spoke to Ebony about family and the future. As an added bonus, her mom Marian Robinson dished to the mag as well.
Ebony
Essence: September 2008
It seems like most magazine covers with one or more members of the Obama clan on them are deemed "Collector's Editions." This family-centric cover is no exception.
Essence
More: October 2008
As the presidential election neared, Michelle Obama started popping up on a wide range of magazine covers. Here she is on the cover of More, a magazine for women over 40.
More Magazine
Us Weekly: November 2008
In the days following Barack's historic election, the weekly tabloid turned political, spotlighting then-President-elect and Michelle's "Amazing Journey."
Us Magazine
OK! Weekly: November 2008
The editors at OK! claimed to know what Michelle is really like and offered a look into her private world, including "date nights with Barack."
OK! Magazine
Essence: January 2009
The famous black women's mag obviously was one of the first to put the new first lady on its cover. With a long-sleeved gown and a satisfied smile, Michelle looks like she's ready for her new role.
Essence
+ Audio: Interview with Vibe's Chief Content Officer Danyel Smith via BlackWeb 2.0
Comments: (6)
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By: Maiya on 6/30/2009 9:53PM
Wow, I use to read VIBE from my sophomore year in high school to my junior year of college. Thats sad, it was a pretty decent magazine. It fell off the last few years but still pretty decent. Thats another people of the hip hop culture now gone.
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By: Shawn Marie Moore on 6/30/2009 10:14PM
I read Vibe since 1993. Sort of like losin an old friend.
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By: Kiki on 6/30/2009 11:14PM
Ummm OK did >I< miss something...but why are all the women (other than Janet) who grace the cover looking like something str8 outta playboy?! How can we as a people fight the stereotype when women embrace it?!
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By: Ernestine on 7/01/2009 9:46AM
I been reading VIBE since it's debut. I have still have the very first one til up to now that was the second favorite magazine of mine the first one was "Black Beat" As I got older I invest in VIBE. The magazine is going to be truly miss
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By: Mrs. Jackson on 7/01/2009 12:26PM
The proverbial falling off of the urban music industry is also to blame. People are tired of the same old. Not too many artists now are original nor put out good material. Those who probably do are so UNDER rated until it's a shame. We have replaced the good grooves and sounds with crap music and crap artists. Used to be, you could look up to and admire these folk, now you can't. You actually have to shield your children from them. These are the artists who get all the publicity while conscious ones barely get any spotlight. The undoing of Vibe is more far reaching than just this "recession."
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By: Johnny on 7/02/2009 1:25PM
Good
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