Urb was founded in Los Angeles by Raymond Roker, who is the magazine's publisher, editor, and art director. Roker created Urb to chronicle the culture of rap and hip-hop. Initially printed on newsprint and given away locally, Urb is now produced in four colors and distributed nationwide on newstands. Vibe, backed by Time Warner, was introduced in 1993 as a more commercial venture than Urb that covers similar territory. YSB (Young Sisters and Brothers), directed at African-American teenagers and young adults, builds an educational message into its treatment of contemporary black music and culture. Sí, founded in 1996, is aimed at Hispanic and Latino Americans, while A. speaks to what publisher Jeff Yang calls "Generation A"--young Asian Americans. Drawing these magazines together is the desire to represent youthfulness through type and image. [back] © Copyright 1996 Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum

Urb Magazine Magazine, 1994, offset lithograph Designer and art director: Raymond Leon Roker (b. 1968) Photographer: Roger Erickson Publisher: URB Magazine, Los Angeles Collection Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Gift of the designer Vibe Magazine, 1993, offset lithograph Design director: Gary Koepke Photographer: Dan Winters Publisher: Time Inc. Ventures, New York YSB (Young Sisters and Brothers) Magazine, 1992, offset lithograph Creative directors: Fo Wilson (b. 1955) and Elizabeth Rodriguez Firm: Studio W, Inc. Publisher: Paige Publications, New York Collection Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Gift of YSB