The Source Magazine had become known as the hip-hop bible in its heyday. One of the first successful magazine’s of its kind, the monthly publication featured solid hip hop news, politics, respected album reviews, and served as a general how to guide for hip hop enthusiasts around the world.
The Rise & Fall Of The Hip Hop Bible
Founded in and distributed from the dorm room of college students Dave Mays and Job Shecter in 1988, The Source parlayed its success into TV programs and award shows. But the magazine soon found itself at the bad end of rap feuds, lawsuits, and angry subscribers.
Some argue that Benzino caused The Source’s demise. In 1994, it is said that Zino pressured Mays to include a three-page spread on him and his crew in the magazine. Things really got ugly when Zino performed at The Source Awards when he was virtually unknown to mainstream audiences. Word on the street was that several of the magazine’s editors quit or walked out because of Zino’s alleged bullying ways.
The nail in The Source’s coffin came in 1999 when Made Men received a rating of four and a half mics for their album “Classic Limited Edition.” Apparently, the writer who wrote the review didn’t even exist. Still, The Source had some fans still clinging to the hope that their once heralded magazine would rise to its full potential again.
The proverbial fecal matter began closing in on the fan back in 2002 when Benzino decided it would be a good idea to start a feud with Eminem. Zino slammed Em for being the product of a machine designed to eliminate Blacks and Latinos from hip hop. Diss tracks flew back and forth but with Em being the better MC, he pretty much sealed the deal on The Source’s credibility.
Benzino took his fight with Em from the tracks to the mag, dedicating whole issues to some racist remarks Em allegedly made. Although Benzino was subsequently fired, the magazine was never fully able to regain its status in the game.
With rumors swirling about Benzino’s trading cover slots for collaborations on his album, and the “CEO”/rapper randomly firing employees, the once mighty magazine crumbled into nonexistence. (See article about former Source Editor-in-Chief, Kim Osario’s “tell all” book.)
Dave Mays, Ray Benzino & Hip Hop Weekly
Mays and Benzino took their passion for publications to Hip Hop Weekly. Complete with (at times questionable) exposes, news, and gossip for hip-hop heads, the magazine seemed to be flourishing.
All seemed to be good in HHW land until SOHH, a popular online hip-hop magazine, reported on rumors of brewing financial troubles.
“According to my source, things have not been all that promising over at the HHW offices… which just SOHH happens to be Dave Mays living room,” read the blog. “… I don’t know how far they are with the filing the actual Bankruptcy paperwork.”
Benzino and Mays didn’t waste any time kicking down the reports, slamming them as completely untrue.
“… Dave Mays and Raymond Benzino have been the victim of false rumors for years, but they are not going anywhere and have in fact just recently opened a multi-million dollar facility with offices and state of the art recording studios in Miami. Currently the duo are readying their return to a monthly editorial format to compete directly against XXL, The Source, and Vibe at the beginning of the year with their new title Monsta.”
The question now becomes: When will hip hop magazines stop bickering amongst each other and stick to putting out good, quality news to the masses?
