The Source chronicled hip-hop music, culture and politics through artist features, scene reporting, reviews and fashion.

About this issue and its era: Ice-T fronts an issue advertising a special report on gangs in America and the headline Putting the Freeze on Gang Warfare. A pioneering West Coast rapper and member of Body Count, Ice-T connected street narratives, political debate and performance across rap and rock. Cover lines name Busta Rhymes, Lady of Rage, Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown, placing the issue amid a changing mid-1990s rap landscape.

Issue: The Source, April 1996, No. 79. Physical vintage magazine; one copy available.

Visible cover condition: Visible spine creases, edge rubbing and corner wear, with heavier creasing and small edge damage along the lower-left side.

Interior pages, inserts, posters and binding have not been inspected; no claim of completeness or a formal condition grade is made. Photograph shows the actual copy offered. The background has been removed, with artwork, labels, creases and wear preserved.