 Cover of the final issue | |
| Categories | Music magazine |
|---|---|
| Founder | Elliott Wilson Sacha Jenkins |
| First issue | 1994 |
| Final issue | 1998 |
| Country | United States |
| Based in | New York City |
| Language | English |
Ego Trip was a hip hop magazine started in New York City in 1994. It lasted four years and 13 issues and distinguished itself based on its irreverence and defiant attitude, eventually adopting the tagline, "the arrogant voice of musical truth."
The roots of the publication began with a hip hop newspaper called Beat-Down Newspaper , founded by Haji Akhigbade and Sacha Jenkins in 1992. Sacha and Haji met and brought aboard both Elliott Wilson and later Jefferson "Chairman" Mao. All three (Jenkins, Wilson, and Mao) also had extensive freelance backgrounds writing for other publications such as Rap Pages , Vibe and URB . Technically, Jenkins and Wilson founded Ego Trip (with photographer/documentarian Henry Chalfant given honorary status as co-founder as well), though Mao was a part of the staff from the first issue and eventually became editor-in-chief after Jenkins left to become music editor at Vibe. Likewise, the fourth core member, Gabriel Alvarez, was formerly an editor at the Los Angeles-based Rap Pages until Ego Trip recruited him, eventually making him managing editor. [1] The last core member was designer Brent Rollins who joined the magazine in their third year and took over as art director. [2]
Ego Trip covered a range of so-called "underground" scenes, including skateboarders and punk/indie rockers before those scenes became as commonplace as they are today. However, it was most identified as a hip hop magazine.
The 13 issues featured the following rap artists on the cover:
After closing the magazine, the Ego Trip team (Jenkins, Wilson, Mao, Alvarez and Rollins) continued on to a series of multimedia projects, such as the old-school rap music compilation The Big Playback (Rawkus Records, 2000), inspired by their first book, Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists (St. Martin's Press, 1999). Their second book Ego Trip's Big Book of Racism! (Regan Books, 2002) spawned a relationship with the VH1 cable network. The staff have written and produced three television shows for the cable network, including "TV's Illest Minority Moments presented by Ego Trip," the three-part "Ego Trip's Race-O-Rama!", Ego Trip's The (White) Rapper Show , and Ego Trip's Miss Rap Supreme . 'Ego Trip' is currently authoring a book on the history of white rappers.
Robert "Bobbito" Garcia, also known as DJ Cucumber Slice and Kool Bob Love, is an American DJ, radio host, author, and member of the Rock Steady Crew. He is known as a former co-host of hip hop radio show The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show, alongside Adrian "Stretch Armstrong" Bartos, from 1990 until 1999. He later moved to Washington, D.C., where he currently hosts a new podcast on NPR called What's Good? alongside Bartos. Garcia was the announcer for the video game NBA Street Vol. 2.
Mecca and the Soul Brother is the 1992 debut album from hip-hop duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth. The album contains their best known song, "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)". Mecca and the Soul Brother has been widely acclaimed as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. The album was mostly produced by Pete Rock and executive produced by DJ Eddie F of Heavy D & the Boyz.
Necessary Roughness is the only studio album by American hip-hop artist the Lady of Rage. The album was released on June 24, 1997. Necessary Roughness was largely produced by Daz Dillinger, with contributions from Easy Mo Bee and DJ Premier. The album peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard 200 on July 12, 1997. Necessary Roughness was the last Death Row album to be distributed by Interscope Records.
Stunts, Blunts & Hip Hop is the debut album by the American hip hop producer and rapper Diamond D, released on September 22, 1992. The album features some of the earliest appearances from Diamond's later D.I.T.C. partners Big L and Fat Joe da Gangsta, as well as his crew the Psychotic Neurotics. Although Diamond D handles the majority of the album's production, other popular beat makers such as Large Professor, Q-Tip, Jazzy Jay, Showbiz and The 45 King co-produce on several tracks. The album features three singles: "Best-Kept Secret", "Sally Got a One-Track Mind", and 'What U Heard". The album was not released on vinyl; however, there were promotional copies pressed with full artwork which were highly sought-after. The vinyl edition was eventually made available as a reissue years later. The original promo version has a sticker on it; the reissue had this sticker scanned into the artwork.
Raw, Uncut and X-Rated is the third studio album by American Oakland-based rapper Too Short. It was released via 75 Girls Records.
"Plug Tunin'" is a song by hip hop trio De La Soul. In June 1988 it was released as the group's debut single as part of a double A-side with "Freedom of Speak ". A remix of the song, under the title "Plug Tunin' ", would later be included on their debut album 3 Feet High and Rising.
Curb Servin' is the second and final studio album from the hip hop group WC and the Maad Circle. The group disbanded the following year. Former member Coolio, who had embarked on a successful solo career, appeared on one track.
Reservoir Dog is the seventh album by rapper Schoolly D. The album was released in 1995 via PSK Records and was produced by Schoolly D and Grizz Bear & Devine. Reviews were mostly positive; however, like his previous albums, the album was a commercial failure and did not chart on any album charts. The album featured one single, “Nigger Entertainment.”
Ego Trip is the fifth album by the rapper Kurtis Blow, released in 1984 on Mercury Records. The only charting singles were "8 Million Stories", which peaked at 45 on the Hot Black Singles chart, and "Basketball", which peaked at 71 on the Hot 100.
"Poor Georgie" is the second single from hip-hop artist MC Lyte's third album Act Like You Know (1991). The song was produced by Ivan 'Doc' Rodriguez, and released on December 12, 1991. The song seeks to convey an anti-addiction message, through the story of George and the dysfunctional relationship MC Lyte has with this individual with self-destructive behaviors. It features a sample of "Georgy Porgy" by rock band Toto.
"Throw Ya Gunz" is the first single by American hip hop group Onyx from their debut album, Bacdafucup. It was released on November 27, 1992, by JMJ, Rush Associated Labels and Chaos Recordings. Produced by Jam Master Jay, Chylow Parker, and Randy Allen, "Throw Ya Gunz" was a success and made it to four Billboard charts, including number 1 on the Hot Rap Singles for two weeks. The song achieved even greater success in the UK, where it peaked at number 34 on the UK Top 40 in 1993.
Crash Crew is the self-titled debut studio album by American hip hop group Crash Crew. It was released in 1984 through Sugar Hill Records. The album was never properly finished due to Sugar Hill's financial difficulties.
Elliott Wilson is an American journalist, television producer, and magazine editor. He is the founder and CEO of Rap Radar. In the past, he has worked as editor-in-chief of XXL Magazine. While there, he became known for his editorials under the nickname "YN".
Sacha Jenkins is an American television producer, filmmaker, writer, musician, artist, curator, and chronicler of hip-hop, graffiti, punk, and metal cultures. While still in his teens, Jenkins published Graphic Scenes & X-Plicit Language, one of the earliest 'zines solely dedicated to "graffiti" art. In 1994, Jenkins co-founded Ego Trip magazine. In 2007, he created the competition reality program ego trip's The (White) Rapper Show, which was carried by VH1. Currently, Jenkins is the creative director of Mass Appeal magazine.
"The Symphony" is a rap song produced by Marley Marl featuring Juice Crew members Masta Ace, Kool G Rap, Craig G and Big Daddy Kane. The track appears on Marley Marl's 1988 Cold Chillin' Records release In Control, Volume 1. Rolling Stone ranked "The Symphony" the 48th greatest hip-hop song of all time, calling it "the first truly great posse cut".
"Throw Your Set in the Air" is a song by American hip hop group Cypress Hill, released in September 1995 by Ruffhouse, Columbia and SME as the lead single from their third album, Cypress Hill III: Temples of Boom (1995). The song was written by group members B-Real and DJ Muggs, and produced by Muggs. Its accompanying music video, directed by McG, has a sepia tone and features the group performing in various places along with images of Buddha. Along with "Insane in the Brain", "Throw Your Set in the Air" is used in The Simpsons episode "Homerpalooza".
Adrian Bartos known professionally as DJ Stretch Armstrong is a New York-based DJ and music producer, known as a former co-host of hip hop radio show The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show, alongside Bobbito Garcia.
"Last Night" is a single by the American hip hop duo Kid 'n Play, released in 1987 via Select Records. It is their first single as "Kid 'n Play". It was included on their debut album 2 Hype, released the following year. Produced by Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor, who also has writing credits for the song alongside the members of duo, in the song they narrate about an unfortunate double date.
"It's My Beat" is the debut single by American rapper Sweet Tee and DJ Jazzy Joyce, released in 1986 via Profile Records. In 1988, it was included in Sweet Tee's debut album It's Tee Time. Produced by Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor, who also has writing credits for the song alongside Sweet Tee, the single was later released in the UK through Champion Records.
"Bow Wow Wow" is the debut single by American hip hop group Funkdoobiest, released in 1992. It is the lead single from their debut studio album Which Doobie U B? (1993) and the group's most successful song. The song was produced by DJ Muggs and DJ Lethal.