Vibe Magazine, founder musician and producer Quincy Jones though no longer the owner, said that he will try to buy back and bring to life the magazine he founded 16 years ago and release it as an online venture.
Vibe who announced on Tuesday, June 30 that it will closed its operation amidst a decline in readership and financial difficulties, now leaves just a handful of urban magazines that include XXL and The Source. Vibe also follows the closure of Blender, King and Radio & Records to name a few.
Jones, who announced that he is currently seeking to reacquire the magazine, told EbonyJet.com: “They just messed my magazine all up, but I’m going to get it back. You better believe it. I [will] take it online because print and all that stuff is over.” He also said, “The Chicago Tribune, The Seattle Post Intelligencer, The Miami Herald. They’re over the same way as the record business. We have got to get into this century.”
The magazine known as the black Rolling Stone had featured the biggest names in the hip-hop industry on its cover such as Tupac, Notorious B.I.G and on his last cover Eminem.
Of the demise of the magazine Vibe former president, Kenard Gibbs, said: “I really got a chance to be at the helm when it was at its peak in terms of readership and most importantly [at the top of its] financial wherewithal. “I’m not surprised but certainly saddened to see that something that had emerged as a very important voice for young people and music enthusiasts and hip hop culture [is] silenced [and] I think it’s important to note that a place like Vibe for 16 years was an incredible proving ground for people of color who wanted to get into publishing or the media business.”
Vibe was founded nearly two decade ago in 1993 as a feature for hip hop, R&B, lifestyle and urban youth culture.
Written by Valerie V.
