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In 2015, I launched The Buzz Magazine with a simple but powerful mission: to create a platform that truly represented books, music, fashion, and politics from an independent, street-level perspective. It wasn’t just about covering what was hot, it was about setting the trends, highlighting the voices that mattered, and giving real exposure to the culture on our own terms.
For five issues, The Buzz did exactly that. We featured some of the biggest names in urban literature, including K’wan, J.M. Benjamin, and Al-Saadiq Banks. We were the first media outlet to feature the Money & Violence cast, recognizing their impact before mainstream platforms did. We interviewed underground artists, independent authors, and cultural figures who were shaping the streets long before the industry took notice.
It’s not about how long something lasts, it’s about the mark it leaves behind.
Why I Shut It Down
After five issues, I made the decision to shut The Buzz down. It wasn’t due to lack of support or relevance, if anything, the magazine was making waves. But as an independent creator, I was juggling multiple projects, and keeping up with the demands of running a publication at that level required resources that weren’t always readily available.
Still, the impact was undeniable. Even after The Buzz was no longer in circulation, I started noticing something interesting, its influence was everywhere.
The Inspiration Lives On
Over the years, I’ve seen platforms, blogs, and media outlets adopt the same approach that The Buzz pioneered. The type of independent coverage we were doing; giving shine to urban authors, underground artists, and web series creators, has since become a blueprint for others. The way we blended literature with hip-hop culture, the way we prioritized raw, authentic storytelling, and the way we gave credit to the streets before the industry did, it’s all out there, still moving, still shaping the landscape.
And that’s what true impact looks like. It’s not about how long something lasts, it’s about the mark it leaves behind.
A Legacy That Can’t Be Denied
Even though The Buzz only ran for five issues, it accomplished something that many platforms never do: it created a lane, made an impact, and left a lasting imprint on the culture. To this day, people still bring it up, still remember the interviews, and still recognize how ahead of its time it was.
Would I ever bring it back? Who knows. But what I do know is this; The Buzz proved that independent media has the power to shift the culture, and I’m proud to have played a role in that movement.
Salute to everyone who rocked with The Buzz from the start. The energy we created? It still lives on.
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