Murder Dog's Digital Edition Vol. 17 #1 is now available for viewing.

Wow, it's been a long time since I've really checked these guys out. This magazine was pretty interesting when it was more totally hood but now it's a pretty trippy mix of elements with a really nice look. Good to see.

Drake Does Seem Unstoppable

Apparently the "Vibe Resurrection Issue", due December 15th, is letting us know that they don't want to be mistaken for an upscale urban women's magazine anymore by featuring "love 'em and leave 'em as rapidly as possible" Drake on one cover and Chris "beatdown = love" Brown on the other. Nice work, y'all!

Chris Brown Asks: R U Still Down [for a beating?]

Maybe I should cut Chris Brown some slack. Didn't he apologize or send a card or something?

More importantly, what the heck is that weird thing wrapped around his neck?

Over at Hip Hop Press:
Vibe Magazine Resurrection Issue Hits Newsstands December 15th
with Covers Featuring Chris Brown and Drake

The Vibe Lifestyle Network has officially announced Jermaine Hall as the new Editor-in-Chief of VIBE Magazine & Vibe.com which will now move forward under unified editorial control:

A veteran publishing and on-line executive with extensive experience in pop culture, music and fashion, Hall returns to Vibe after serving most recently as Editor-in-Chief of King Magazine…Prior to that, Hall served as Music Editor at The Source…

Hall started his publishing career at Vibe Magazine, where he served as Webmaster from 1997 – 1999, developing original online content that complemented the magazine's editorial direction in addition to writing exclusive articles for print and on-line…

Hall will immediately step in as Editor-in-Chief and be involved in decision making for all editorial aspects of the magazine and digital properties including the highly anticipated November/December Holiday issue under new management as well as Vibe.com immediate re-launch.

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
VIBE & Vibe.com Sold: InterMedia Partners Build on Soul Train & Uptown Magazine Investments
Danyel Smith Talks VIBE w/Angela Yee
Considering the Collapse of VIBE Magazine

I meant to get a more in-depth post up earlier about VIBE mag's sudden closing but I don't have a major analysis to share. Basically I think the closing is the result of a combination of the obvious challenges, the collapse of advertising during an exceptionally severe recession, and the often extreme demands of certain forms of private equity imposed by the Wicks Group acquisition.

A discussion that broke out on Jeff Chang's blog, in which a number of interesting participants in the magazine/marketing game got involved, is worth considering though it doesn't really shed much light on the VIBE situation. However, it does provide a nice peek at how cutting edge music and/or lifestyle publications are attempting to transition from dying business models. In particular, this transition raises issue regarding the advertising/editorial divide that is currently looking like a drawback to survival, in part because most humans don't really care about such issues.

I found out about this post via a discussion at Hip Hop Ads that also doesn't shed much light on VIBE but does indicate what some folks more focused on online ventures are thinking.

Though I've often criticized VIBE, I remain disappointed to see them go out like this and, whatever Quincy Jones pulls off, if anything, a new web version will ultimately be something different that draws on the power of the VIBE brand.

Financial Terminology Note: the discussants at Jeff's blog throw the term "venture capital" around quite a bit.  Though that is a form of "private equity", venture capital was not involved in the acquisition. Check out this article on private equity for more insight on such terminology.

At EbonyJet.com:
Bringing Back the VIBE: Can Quincy Jones Make a Go Online?

At Photo District News:
Photographer Learned About VIBE Shutdown in Mid-Shoot

At Adam's World:
Saving The Magazine Industry

The NY Times' David Carr considers the demise of Vibe with a caveat that Quincy Jones claims to be pursuing the property in some form.

I'm still feeling surprised at the whole thing and await more business details. That this is inevitable fallout from high debt producing M&A activity crashing in the new economy seems likely but doesn't necessarily tell the whole tale.

Vibe magazine is reportedly shutting down today or, by now, is closed:

"The June/July issue will be its last and the Web site will remain open for one more month, but without new content, said the spokesperson."

I've had a love/hate relationship with Vibe but I sure hate to see it go out over the servicing of debt.

The above linked article includes the full text of the official memo to Vibe staff from Vibe Media Group CEO Steve Aaron. AllHipHop has a few comments from Danyel Smith, former Editor in Chief at Vibe.