What is Deluxe Edition?
Deluxe Edition publishes hip-hop and culture commentary, analysis and reporting you won’t find anywhere else.
Everyone says that rap media is dead. The magazines we grew up with are out of print, websites have become clickbait and podcasters monopolize the conversation with misinformed and terrible takes.
We need real journalism and criticism more than ever.
My career in hip-hop began as an intern for Bad Boy Records and then pushing a mail cart at the William Morris Agency. Started from the bottom. Literally. I’ve been a journalist for 15 years, contributing to publications including: Time, Rolling Stone, XXL, Village Voice, The Source, New York Magazine, MTV, BET, Vibe, Essence, Highsnobiety, Playboy, Complex and Business Insider. As an on-air expert, I’ve been featured on CNN, MSNBC, E!, VH1, MTV, NPR, BBC and Hot 97.
I am the author of the critically-acclaimed book Fashion Killa: How Hip-Hop Revolutionized High Fashion (Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster), which has been called “one of the best books of 2023” by Kirkus Reviews and Booklist and been featured by The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, Paper, Interview Magazine, The Breakfast Club, Ebro in the Morning, LA Times and more. As an author, my vision is to tell important hip-hop stories through an elevated, prestige lens. I am currently working on my new book Roc-A-Fella Records: An American Rap Dynasty (Simon & Schuster) which chronicles the history and business blueprint of hip-hop’s blue chip company.
Paid subscribers can expect two posts by me each week, including commentary, Q&As, reported features, hot takes and more. Paid subscribers will also enjoy complete access to the entire Deluxe Edition archive and access to comments. Free subscribers will receive occasional free posts.
Why Should You Pay to Read Deluxe Edition?
I’ve been lucky to remain freelance the entirety of my career, which has given me more freedom in covering the stories and artists that matter without being pressured by industry politics or being worried about offending a rapper’s feelings.
Since rap media has become all but extinct, there’s a real need for a new blueprint. By monetizing Deluxe Edition, we can focus on quality over quantity— and to have the conversations other people won’t.
Paid membership begins at $5 a month or $50 a year (cheaper than a ticket to see a SoundCloud rapper).
Thank you for your support. Let’s change the game.
