Clocking in at #83, Book Beat was name checked in the 150th issue of URB Magazine, a glossy bible of hip-hop culture and “a manifesto of (our) music and life.” URB magazine is a lively jumble of articles and ads that focus on urban music and the fashion world without the snob appeal.
URB’s founder Raymond Leon Roker writes a very cogent editorial on his 150th anniversary in which he shares some thoughts on publishing a magazine in this age of digital mass media; “I can’t be bothered with all of this conventional wisdom and unimaginative doom and gloom… I’m more excited about print –and this magazine — then I have been in a long while.” We couldn’t agree more. Passion and bullheaded focus will keep the most imaginative and radical works alive for years to come, be they magazines, books, music or hippie-punk print palaces.
The Nov/Dec URB holiday issue runs down the 150 things they love most which includes; #42 Amoeba records, #50 The Hollywood Bowl, #58 Supper Rad Toys, #104 Red Bull, #120 Street Walkers, #130 DC rapper Wale, #125 Chicago’s rainbow colored party scene. We’re blushing red. Check back soon for Book Beat’s 25 things we love for 25 years.