Rockers Need Not Subscribe

The Scene: Tuesday’s West Coast launch party for Vibe magazine at the Mayan. The 10-issues-a-year mag, a co-venture between Quincy Jones and Time Warner, is described by editor Jonathan Van Meter as “Rolling Stone for the post-rock ‘n’ roll generation.” One clue that indicates Vibe won’t be covering Crosby, Stills and Nash reunions, Carly Simon revivals or Eagles re-issues is the cover featuring emerging hip-hop artist Snoop Doggy Dogg.

Quoted: “One thing this magazine is exactly not about is rock ‘n’ roll,” said Van Meter. “For me, the whole idea of rock ‘n’ roll with middle-class white guys banging away in the suburbs is over. Vibe is all about the marginalized cultures rock ‘n’ roll left out. It’s about hip-hop, dance hall reggae, house, new jack swing--the artificial, video-driven, technology music.”

Who Was There: About 1,500 advertisers, publicists, photographers, writers, music and film industry types--”the West Coast food chain for Vibe,” said executive editor Diane Cardwell. At the top of the chain were Jones, John Singleton, Juliette Lewis, Freedom Williams, Tim and Daphne Reid, Boyz II Men, Jamie Foxx, Keith Washington and Chris Rock.

Who Won’t Be on the Next Cover: The party was scheduled for Prince’s Glam Slam, but at the last minute it moved to the Mayan. “Somehow Mr. Prince, Mr. Nameless, had something to do and we got bumped,” said Van Meter.

Dress Mode: Vibe’s fashion editor, Michaela Angela Davis, said she “wants the Gap culture to wake up.” The crowd at the party seemed about half-awake. There was lots of urban/street/rap wear, some of it on authentic players, some of it on “weekend homeboys who aren’t sure if they should wear a tie or a Raiders cap,” said Jeffrey Jolson-Colburn.

Entertainment: Kid Capri was DJ. Performing were Jade, Lords of the Underground and Run-DMC at a decibel level that allowed about every third word in a conversation to be heard.

Good Vibe: Major enthusiasm from the crowd over the mag. “It’s on!” said a woman clothing store owner.

Bad Vibe: The stale caste system of separating VIPs from the proletariat at parties. Especially from a magazine with a One World, One Party editorial stance.

Pastimes: Middle-aged guys in suits asking each other, “Who the hell is Snoop Doggy Dogg?”