Issue #62 of The Source (with a cover date of November 1994) marked the point that co-founder Dave Mays said ‘fuck it’ and threw-in a four page special on the group he was managing at the time just before the issue went to press. As a result, Jon ‘J. The Sultan’ Shecter, James Bernard, Reginald C. Dennis, Robert Marriott and five other staffers walked out in protest. If you’re not familiar with the story, HipHopDX ran a very detailed interview, three-part with Reggie Dennis back in 2005 (Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3).
For reasons that were never entirely clear, there were also two versions of #62’s cover – one with a piece of tissue jammed into Redman’s nostril, and one without – one of which may be considered more collectable if you’re into that sort of thing. Anyways, you might assume that the magazine turned into an absolute shit-show immediately, but looking back at these post Original Source Mind Squad issues, I can still recall some quality articles in later issues so it was still worth picking up from time to time.
The first issue I ever got my hands on was Issue #10, the Decade of Hip-Hop’ special, which had a massive impact on me in terms of both obsessing over obscure rap trivia and reading about great records I’d never even heard of at that point. At this stage, they were only available at an import dance music record shop, who seemed to just get a handful of copies at random times throughout the year, so the next one I managed to grab was Issue #13 with Ice Cube on the cover (one of only two issues I’ve managed to lose over the years – the other being the issue Eazy-E on the cover and the recipe to cook crack at home). By the time Issue #20 rolled around (May 1991), The Source was finally available at most newsagents, albeit three months past it’s release date as it was brought over by ship.
By the mid-nineties there were a number of new competitors in the rap magazine game, offering a focus on more obscure groups and far spicier hot takes than the bigger magazine were able to serve up, with the likes of On The Go, Stress and ego trip, so I became a lot more selective on which issues of The Source I would pick-up. Special shout-out to Issue #31 and that infamous KRS-One interview which caused all kinds of hurt feelings, Harry Allen leting us know that Parrish Smith is the quickest rapper in the game when it comes to returning beeper messages and Issue #28’s end of year special where artists were asked to list their favorite five albums so Nice & Smooth just listed Ain’t A Damn Thing Changed five times. Thumbs down to Issue #76 with those appalling My First Photoshop bubbles on the cover – that monstrosity still haunts me to this day.
Nothing but love for The Source from their beginning through issue #93. One of the main aspects about the magazine that caused major debates was the ratings system. I don’t know if they initially realized how impactful their ratings system would become. Whether broken records or mics, every month there was an album rating or two that would nearly set off fights at the barbershop. Especially the 4.5 mic ratings. I’m still upset that The Roots Illadelph Halflife received a 4.5 instead of a 5. RIP Malik B.
https://thimk.wordpress.com/2008/12/10/almost-classic-the-sources-45-micbroken-record-album-reviews-through-1995/
https://thimk.wordpress.com/2009/05/07/the-roots-illadelph-halflife-only-45-mics/
@Vincent: It can definitely take away from the review itself when everyone gets too focused on scores instead of actually reading the thing.
Absolutely true, but people love their mental shortcuts. I mean, the Source was mics, so it made sense from a branding standpoint, but at the expense of each writer’s nuance.
I lost respect for the The Source when they gave Illmatic 5 mics but gave The Sun Rises in the East 4 mics. That was the nail in the coffin for me.
@Jeru I can understand why you would be pissed!
I had that poster on my bedroom wall. I prefer my prized 50th issue, which is possibly the best issue ever? So informative… I stopped buying them in 1996, too thick with the lame ads, but was a fiend prior to that.
I always enjoyed the “Fat Tape” section where they list the greatest songs you’d never hear. With total cockamamie combos, like “Masta Ace Ft. Lord Finesse and E-40”
Any update on the book?
Been wondering the same thing. Signed up for the email list the day he announced it, but no emails yet…