Hip Hop Connection
Encyclopedia
Hip Hop Connection is the longest running monthly periodical devoted entirely to hip hop culture. HHC has earned international recognition and was described by Chuck D
as "the best magazine in the world".
, the magazine published its first issue in July 1988, six months before The Source
began in newsletter form. Prior to the first issue, the magazine's parent company had also run a premium rate 0898 telephone information line using the same name, presented by voice of now Radio 1
DJ Dave Pearce
that invited MCs to call up and record their own rhyme after listening to the best rhyme of the previous week.
The early issues were its biggest selling and saw Hunt bringing together a talented group of writers and photographers, including Malu Halasa, Ekow Eshun
, Vie Marshall and Normski
, the future television presenter and celebrity, who was given his own section in the magazine to showcase his rap photography.
Chris Hunt
had two stints as Editor of the magazine before leaving the title for the final time in 1993. His long-time Deputy Editor Andy Cowan
took over the title in November 1993 and although it has changed owners several times (Popular Publications, Future Publishing
, Ministry Of Sound
), Cowan still runs the magazine to this day as its Editor/Publisher, it has managed to survive the rapid decline of the magazine market.
HHC and Popular Publications were owned by Music Maker Publications throughout the early 1990s until Music Maker was acquired by Future Publishing
.
Future Publishing sold the title to Ministry of Sound
in 2000. The first Ministry issue featured Mariah Carey
on the front cover. Ministry tried to continue with its 'female artists only' cover policy which had proved successful for their dance magazine but after Kelis
and Lauryn Hill
it became apparent that they were rapidly running out of suitable candidates. Ministry sold the title after one year and Andy Cowan continued to run and publish the magazine.
In April 2006 Hip Hop Connection published its two-hundredth consecutive edition, re-running many of the classic rap interviews from its 18 year history. It is now owned by Cambridge
based Infamous Ink.
In 2009, the issue sold its last ever hard issue, it is now only a on-line version from http://hiphopconnection.com/.
In April 2009 the magazine launched its first digital issue - available as a free download from http://hiphopconnection.com/ .
Each year, the magazine's writers and critics compile a list of the best hip hop albums of the year. The following is an incomplete list of HHC's albums of the year.
2007 - Panacea The Scenic Route
2008 - Roots Manuva Slime & Reason
Further to the above, two readers' polls have determined the best album of a certain period.
Pre-2000 - Public Enemy It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
1995-2005 - Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
Chuck D
Carlton Douglas Ridenhour , better known by his stage name, Chuck D, is an American rapper, author, and producer. He helped create politically and socially conscious rap music in the mid-1980s as the leader of the rap group Public Enemy.- Early life :Ridenhour was born in Queens, New York...
as "the best magazine in the world".
History
Under the editorship of Chris HuntChris Hunt
Chris Hunt is a magazine editor, journalist and author. He has worked in journalism for over twenty years, most often writing about football or rock music. He was managing editor of Match from 1993 to 2001, a period that saw the weekly title become Britain's biggest selling football magazine...
, the magazine published its first issue in July 1988, six months before The Source
The Source (magazine)
The Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical, behind United Kingdom-based publication Hip Hop Connection. The Source was founded as a newsletter in 1988...
began in newsletter form. Prior to the first issue, the magazine's parent company had also run a premium rate 0898 telephone information line using the same name, presented by voice of now Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
DJ Dave Pearce
Dave Pearce
Dave Pearce is a British dance DJ and record producer, who has played gigs across the UK and the world, although he is perhaps best known for his work in radio. He currently works for the BBC 6 Music...
that invited MCs to call up and record their own rhyme after listening to the best rhyme of the previous week.
The early issues were its biggest selling and saw Hunt bringing together a talented group of writers and photographers, including Malu Halasa, Ekow Eshun
Ekow Eshun
Ekow Eshun is a British writer, journalist, and broadcaster. Until November 2010 he was the artistic director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, leaving before the end of his six month notice period. He is a contributor to BBC2's Friday night arts programme Newsnight Review and a...
, Vie Marshall and Normski
Normski
Normski is a British rapper, DJ, photographer and businessman, perhaps best known for his work as a BBC television presenter.-Career:...
, the future television presenter and celebrity, who was given his own section in the magazine to showcase his rap photography.
Chris Hunt
Chris Hunt
Chris Hunt is a magazine editor, journalist and author. He has worked in journalism for over twenty years, most often writing about football or rock music. He was managing editor of Match from 1993 to 2001, a period that saw the weekly title become Britain's biggest selling football magazine...
had two stints as Editor of the magazine before leaving the title for the final time in 1993. His long-time Deputy Editor Andy Cowan
Andy Cowan
Andy Cowan is an American writer and script consultant for television and other media. He hosts the radio comedy talk show, Up & Down Guys, on KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles...
took over the title in November 1993 and although it has changed owners several times (Popular Publications, Future Publishing
Future Publishing
Future plc is a media company; in 2006, it was the sixth-largest in the United Kingdom. It publishes more than 150 magazines in fields such as video games, technology, automotive, cycling, films and photography. Future is the official magazine company of all three major games console manufacturers...
, Ministry Of Sound
Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound London, commonly referred to as simply Ministry of Sound or MoS, is a nightclub based in London, United Kingdom and an associated record label. It was ranked fourth in the 2010 DJ Magazine top 100 clubs poll 2010. As well as the nightclub in London, there is another in Egypt and...
), Cowan still runs the magazine to this day as its Editor/Publisher, it has managed to survive the rapid decline of the magazine market.
HHC and Popular Publications were owned by Music Maker Publications throughout the early 1990s until Music Maker was acquired by Future Publishing
Future Publishing
Future plc is a media company; in 2006, it was the sixth-largest in the United Kingdom. It publishes more than 150 magazines in fields such as video games, technology, automotive, cycling, films and photography. Future is the official magazine company of all three major games console manufacturers...
.
Future Publishing sold the title to Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound London, commonly referred to as simply Ministry of Sound or MoS, is a nightclub based in London, United Kingdom and an associated record label. It was ranked fourth in the 2010 DJ Magazine top 100 clubs poll 2010. As well as the nightclub in London, there is another in Egypt and...
in 2000. The first Ministry issue featured Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
on the front cover. Ministry tried to continue with its 'female artists only' cover policy which had proved successful for their dance magazine but after Kelis
Kelis
Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
and Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...
it became apparent that they were rapidly running out of suitable candidates. Ministry sold the title after one year and Andy Cowan continued to run and publish the magazine.
In April 2006 Hip Hop Connection published its two-hundredth consecutive edition, re-running many of the classic rap interviews from its 18 year history. It is now owned by Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
based Infamous Ink.
In 2009, the issue sold its last ever hard issue, it is now only a on-line version from http://hiphopconnection.com/.
In April 2009 the magazine launched its first digital issue - available as a free download from http://hiphopconnection.com/ .
Each year, the magazine's writers and critics compile a list of the best hip hop albums of the year. The following is an incomplete list of HHC's albums of the year.
2007 - Panacea The Scenic Route
2008 - Roots Manuva Slime & Reason
Slime & Reason
Slime & Reason is the sixth studio album of original material by Roots Manuva. It was released on 1 September 2008 on the Big Dada label. Hip Hop Connection magazine named it Album Of The Year 2008.-Track listing:# "Again & Again"# "C.R.U.F.F."...
Further to the above, two readers' polls have determined the best album of a certain period.
Pre-2000 - Public Enemy It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back is the second studio album by American hip hop group Public Enemy, released April 14, 1988, on Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions for the album took place at Chung King Studios, Greene Street Recording, and Sabella Studios in New York City...
1995-2005 - Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... is the solo debut album of American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon, released August 1, 1995, on Loud Records in the United States...