Keepingitreal

VIBE Magazine to Return

Late in June, VIBE magazine shut down great loss to lovers of quality music magazines. But today, The Wall Street Journal reports that the magazine will soon return, albeit in a slightly different form.  According to the WSJ, the private-equity firm InterMedia Partners has acquired the magazine and its website. Uptown Media,InterMedia's magazine publishing arm, will take control of it. The magazine itself will be published quarterly, with a reduced circulation, though the publishers may increase the frequency after next year. The company will focus more on VIBE's website, which Uptown Media plans to relaunch in the next few weeks.

Maxwell on GIANT Magazine

Vibe Magazine Folds After 16 Years

Vibe magazine, the urban glossy founded in 1992 by legendary producer Quincy Jones, announced on Tuesday (June 30) that the publication is folding and will no longer produce print issues or publish its Web site, Vibe.com. With the closing of the title, effective immediately, there now remains no large circulation print publication dedicated to covering hip-hop, R&B and fashion on a mainstream level. During the magazine’s memorable 16-year-run, a number of iconic covers were produced, chief among them images of Suge Knight’s Death Row roster adorned all in black, and simple, striking photos of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes and Aaliyah to mark their deaths. The magazine, however, will forever be remembered for its controversial coverage of the East Coast/ West Coast hip-hop rivalry, which inspired many of the scenes from the film “Notorious.” (Continue Reading…)

Joell Ortiz Covers the Classics OFFICIAL Video Preview/Interview

Let’s Talk About Sex

Excerpt Clutch Magazine.com -- As a community we are not truly discussing sex. Whether it’s in terms of STD’s and fear or enjoyment and pleasure, lately everything I overhear about sex is casting the act in the most negative terms. Irresponsibility aside, sex is meant to be safe, fun and completely open to one’s own interpretation. Women are unquestionably more sexual beings than men, which explains why more of us are exploring strip clubs, swinger spots and attending toy parties and stripper pole workouts. What is most exciting about sex has been castigated and relegated to homophobic, lackluster missionary madness; when in reality, 78 percent of women in relationships use some kind of sexual aid, according to a report released during the 2nd Women’s Sexual Health State-of-the-Art Series conference. Perhaps this is why alternative lifestyles are not tolerated by society in general. Frequent and good sex is both a health and wellness issue and one of delight and gratification. Religion, media and other enforced differences can be identified as culprits. Many of us spend our adult years breaking free from the anti-sex teachings of our church and elders. I meet far too many women who have never had an orgasm or swear they don’t enjoy sex, whether it’s with a man, woman or alone. Sexual exploration is key to satisfaction. You can’t be scared of your body if you ever seek to truly enjoy it. Great sex is great when we release all of our inhibitions, hang ups and insecurities and allow ourselves to feel some of the most natural and wonderfully powerful sensations we can have as human beings. I wonder why, however, sex can’t be more of a public topic. A lot of what I have experienced in love and relationships, both memorable experiences and those I wish I could forget, have been experienced by my other women friends as well. Yet, it is only during some power patio drinking that all of these moments get some conversation time. People probably fear being scrutinized for some of their freakier fantasies, but if you can’t comfortably explain what you like or enjoy sexually, then you probably shouldn’t be doing it. The good news is that there is no right or wrong way to enjoy sex, unless your enjoyment comes at the harm or detriment of someone else. Consenting adults and consensual sex is key for a really exciting time. CONTINUE READING...