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

About this issue and its era: Nas appears beneath Re-Birth of the Streets’ Disciple, alongside cover lines on Mobb Deep, Naughty by Nature and Krayzie Bone. The Queensbridge rapper’s detailed narratives and lyrical reputation had made him a central voice in New York hip-hop. Published in the I Am… period, this issue captures the tension between street credibility, ambitious mainstream releases and the commercial scale of late-1990s rap.

Issue: The Source, May 1999, No. 116. Physical vintage magazine; one copy available.

Visible cover condition: Visible spine and edge rubbing, handling creases and worn corners. A price sticker remains on the upper-right front cover.

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.