"[ Spin] were rock journalists thinking they are the punk to Rolling Stone's mainstream. This type of shit was considered edgy at the time. The Source saw itself as being directly in conversation with that kind of drive-by journalism, with that kind of racist journalism. Because they loved this genre of music, hip hop, they were radicalized a bit around race."
"They rightly took offense to that kind of shit, and they saw themselves as an antidote to that. They were going to be people who actually understood and loved the music while everyone else was just kind of dabbling."
In 1991, Spin magazine published a profile of N.W.A at the Russian Tea Room featuring racist language and condescending framing that presented gangsta rap as mere entertainment. The article's offensive headline and questions prompted The Source magazine's editorial team, including dream hampton, James Bernard, and founders Dave Mays and Jonathan Shecter, to recognize the need for alternative hip-hop journalism. Motivated by this experience, The Source's Mind Squad and editorial staff created a new style of cultural journalism rooted in genuine understanding and love for hip-hop music. This movement represented a deliberate response to mainstream media's mistreatment and dismissal of the genre, establishing outlets dedicated to informed, respectful coverage.
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