(April 8, 2009 – New York City) VIBE magazine, the definitive voice of urban culture, will feature Pop&B princess Rihanna on its May 2009 cover. In an investigative report, VIBE speaks to sources close to the singer and Chris Brown to unveil a well-rounded account of how their seemingly picture-perfect relationship led to the 911 phone call to Los Angeles police on February 8 at around 12:30 a.m.
In the cover story, "Tainted Love," VIBE contributing writer Laura Checkoway uncovers Chris Brown's demons by way of a previously unpublished interview from 2007. When speaking about how domestic violence in his home affected him, Chris says, "I promised myself, I'm not gonna be that dude. I'm never gonna be that person that takes the argument that far." He also adds, "being young, you always have to have a wholesome image. But I'm not perfect..."
In the same article, Chris' manager, Tina Davis, talks about opening up her 4,000-square-foot apartment in New Jersey to Brown before he was signed to a record deal. "All I did was have parties with his friends. They'd come over and ride the elevator back and forth to different floors," she recalls. "He was having a ball."
Former bodyguard to both Chris and Rihanna, Chris Bush, tells Checkoway, "He's under too many restraints. It's like caging a pit–eventually he's gonna lash out…" Bush also alleges, "there's so many f*cking leeches around both of them" and believes the disturbing photo, released by TMZ.com on February 22, was leaked by someone in Chris' or Rihanna's camp, not the LAPD.
Another close source, who asked to remain anonymous, reveals never-before-told details about an altercation that took place between the couple, on the eve of their fateful night, at producer Timbaland's Grammy party on February 6 at Boulevard3. The source paints a picture of an overly possessive Rihanna saying, "…she's craaazy…she's insane, you have no idea. She gets super-jealous and flips out on him."
In a related story, Checkoway probes the silent epidemic of teenage relationship violence.
In "Bow Wow is Grown Enough to Know Better," VIBE Assistant Editor Brad Wete speaks with the candid rapper who shares his thoughts on the short-lived split from Jermaine Dupri. He says he was feeling at the time that Dupri left Columbia Records (where Bow Wow was signed) that his mentor had put money and a title above their relationship. "I put a lot of trust in JD. When I got that message, I was like,'Dude is full of sh*t. F**k him." Bow Wow also speaks about his public split from Ciara, citing his own immaturity: "The devil was telling me,'You're 17-years-old and you have a girlfriend. You should be having fun.' That was something that haunted me."
In "Family Guy," VIBE Contributor Jon Caramanica asks whether Cam'Ron, Harlem, N.Y.'s prodigal son, will be embraced again by hip hop after disappearing for nearly two years. The Dipset founder discusses his mother's health. "My mom couldn't walk or nothing," he says after she suffered three strokes in one day. "It was like, putting her in the car, get her out of the car, in the wheelchair, out the wheelchair." When asked about his crew's fractured friendship he insists everyone is still a Diplomat, himself included. He also swears that Jim Jones deserves his current fame.
In "The Sweet Science and Wild Times of Mike Tyson," the former heavyweight boxing champion opens up to VIBE about the award-winning documentary'Tyson,' which details his dramatic rise and fall, his struggles with drugs, and what he feels is his redemption. When asked about his serious cocaine problem, he answers, "My mother died from alcoholism. My sister died from cocaine. It's hereditary. Regardless of my success, I became another drug statistic. It's just an ongoing process until I die." On whether he regrets the way things turned out with ex-wife Robin Givens, Tyson says, "Robin and I were just two young black kids in the spotlight. We couldn't transform as human beings. I recently saw her at a movie preview, and she looked fine as all outdoors."
Also featured in May's issue is "After the Break," an in depth report on Boogaloo Shrimp, the L.A. street dancer who taught Michael Jackson how to moonwalk, and his 25-year struggle for recognition; a feature on legendary singer/songwriter Lionel Richie, titled "Unforgettable," written by VIBE Editor-In-Chief Danyel Smith that discusses his astonishingly successful career and new album; an interview titled "UGK Has Been Super Tight Since Day One" with hip hop legend Bun B who speaks on behalf of his fallen comrade, the late Pimp C, as he readies their last album,'4 Life'; a list of some of the most anticipated new action-hero-themed blockbuster films; a detailed style agenda for summer mapped out for everyone from the DC rap blogger to the Portland Locavore; an eight-page fashion editorial on summer's hottest swimwear in "Drop It Like It's Hot," and much more.
VIBE magazine's May 2009 issue will be available on newsstands nationwide on April 21. For more information, visit VIBE.com.
ABOUT VIBE
VIBE magazine is the definitive voice of urban culture, influencing global music, life, and style for more than 8 million monthly readers around the world. The award-winning publication is the nation's leader in reporting entertainment, fashion, politics, and culture features for a multicultural audience in print and online. VIBE's innovation, journalistic integrity, brand equity, and overall swagger make it the No. 1 reference choice among male and female trendsetters in small and large cities in the U.S. and abroad.
VIBE Media Group, an affiliate of the Wicks Group of Companies, LLC, is a leading music lifestyle media company that publishes VIBE magazine and produces myriad other VIBE branded properties including VIBE.com, The MOST! magazine, THEMOSTmag.com, V Hollywood, VIBE Yardfest, and VIBE Books, which published The New York Times bestseller Tupac Shakur. VIBE magazine was founded in 1993 by multitalented music mogul Quincy Jones.
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