‘Stress Magazine’ Book

Living Proof has worked with KET to release “Stress Magazine” a book on the 30 year anniversary of the publication that represented real life in the old New York. From graffiti, guns & police brutality, to hustling, shoplifting & rappers, Stress Magazine touched topics no media of their day would touch. 30 years later, Stress remains one of the best records of a 90s New York ever put into print. This book contains the defining stories throughout every issue of Stress Magazine’s history.

Founded in New York in 1995 by a group of graffiti writers, artists & hustlers with no ties to record labels or the publishing establishment; with Raekwon smoking a blunt as the cover, the 1st issue of Stress Magazine was launched.

Stress’s unorthodox approach combined hood history with firsthand accounts from the neighborhood; inviting rappers, hustlers, convicts & activists to write their own stories without editorial translation.

Graffiti stood at the center of the magazine’s spirit. Stories ranged from graffiti ideology to notorious pieces like JA ONE’s guide to shoplifting. Iconic writers the likes of REVS, GIZ, GHOST, JAKEE & SANE SMITH frequented Stress’s pages.

Giving early covers to Jay-Z, Fat Joe, CNN, Mobb Deep and many others, Stress maintained a direct connection to the communities from which Hip-Hop emerged, creating one of the best representations of New York of its era.

Thanks to KET, Living Proof presents “Stress Magazine”, a book documenting the defining stories from every issue, 1995-2001.