Remember the excitement we shared when we visited the local newsstand to buy our favorite Rap and/or Hip-Hop publications? Now in the digital age that feeling is becoming purely nostalgia.
But those who grew up in the print era know how important certain issues were for the culture. New superstars were introduced to us, we got the report card on highly anticipated albums and at times the headlines told us a truth that we did not want to hear.
Yes, the stories were what kept us reading, but the covers truly set the tone. Whether it was a themed photo shoot or just a great candid moment captured, some issues were worth the purchase price in that first impression alone.
So we look back and present the 15 greatest Hip-Hop magazine covers of all time.
Let us know which issues you still have in the stash in the comments section.
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Photo: Vibe
Stress Magazine
Summer 1996
Cats were sleeping on this slick talking Brooklyn dude. This was the first of many covers for Hov, Stress mag was hip to the game, early
Scratch Magazine
2005
DJ Premier and Nasty Nas in a reimagining of Gang Starr’s classic Daily Operation album. RIP Scratch.
XXL
June 1999
Even though the Murder Inc. supergroup never came together, we still got this epic two sided cover inspired by Ice-T’s Power album.
Rap Pages
1995
Just a visually dope cover featuring the Pharcyde, one of the West Coast’s first genre-bending acts.
XXL Magazine
March 2002
This was a classic example of a photo saying a thousand words. 50 was primed to take over Rap music and Eminem and Dr. Dre were backing him.
Vibe Magazine
February 1996
If there were a magazine cover to be labeled as ominous then this is it. Black turtle necks never looked so menacing.
Rap Pages
November 1995
To see the Goodie Mob creeping out of the water on Rap Pages paralleled their entrance into Hip-Hop; they were to get it any way they could. Yes, Cee-Lo was a rapper first.
The Source
July 1996
Notorious B.I.G.’s King of New York title was confirmed when he stood over the big apple on the cover of The Source magazine.
Vibe Magazine
February 1994
In the height of the Tupac turmoil during the mid 90’s, Vibe gave the late great Shakur a straight jacket and an open forum. Lil’ Wayne would go on to redo this shot for XXL Magazine in 2011.
XXL Magazine
November 1998
Respect is due to XXL for replicating the “A Great Day In Harlem” photo with the biggest and best in Rap at the time. Rightfully so Gordon Parks shot the cover in honor of the original.
The Source Magazine
November 1992
All eyes were on Dr. Dre as he left N.W.A. and geared up to release his classic album The Chronic. He let us know he was dead serious about the streets whether it took his life.
The Source
November 1992
We got the true essence of Reggie Noble way before MTV Cribs with this cover. Instantly snot tissue became acceptable in Hip-Hop.
Rap Pages
June 1995
Rap Pages flipped the script when they redid Janet Jackson’s Rolling Stone cover with Ol’ Dirty Bastard. We can only imagine what this photo shoot was like.
Vibe Magazine
September 1996
And the term east coast vs west coast was solidified with Notorious B.I.G. and Puff Daddy Vibe Magazine cover.
Vibe Magazine
1993
Fresh from his show stealing assistance on The Chronic, Snoop Dogg was primed to be Rap’s newest star. Vibe’s inaugural issue symbolized the changing of the guards in Hip-Hop.
