There is a new Hip-Hop magazine in New York, that is strictly New York! Strictly Hip-Hop! In fact it subtitles itself "New York's Relative Force ". Of course the 1st thing that attracted me to the zine was the Cover! Phat Ass Photo of Raekwon smoking a blunt, with the perfect "in the process" smoke shot! "Getting Lifted with Raekwon the Chef!" it blared! Hmmm, what a concept! Now I aint 1of those brothers who claim everybody's biting their show! But as you all know B-High been B'in High with guests since the infamous Fronta/Spliff connection, when B-High supplied the spliffs, and Smif N Wessun, OGC 1 & 2 (Strang & Louievil Slugga) and Big Rock from Heltah Skeltah supplied the Chocolate Thai and Fronta Leafs! But rather than think they bit me, I prefer to think fine minds think alike! And after reading cover to cover it became obvious that this IS a New York Zine with some fine mindz behind it!. Somethings may be "familiar ". But rather than appearing like a rip, it comes off with its own twist. And considering there is nothing new under the sun, its not shocking that some things may seem familiar. But on the other hand, articles like Racking up in 95 (or This is How we got paid all summer), show and prove they ARE different as well as show that at least they have some ballz!! And shit like "Village on Lockdown ", "Palante and Siempre Palante " show there political bent. Inside the Netas, A puerto Rican Experience is another NY touch that I find difficult to picture in another Hip Hop Magazine. And while you can find Graffiti writers & stories, Interviews & Celeb shots in other zines I think Stress' are worth checking into. Esp. the graffiti coverage, 1st rate. And at a per year cost of a Dime bag and a couple o' Phillies, it wouldn't hurt to support some NY brothers and sisters attempting to do it right. Like their credo says (In part), Stress will bring you the dope shit, issue after issue with no shadiness involved. And in these times, that's a lot! Peace. 
