Remembering Sacha Jenkins: Five Ways He Changed Hip-Hop Journalism

Sacha Jenkins: A Legacy in Hip-Hop Journalism Last week, the hip-hop community mourned the loss of Sacha Jenkins, a highly influential journalist and co-founder of the magazine 'Ego Trip'. Jenkins's death at 53, due to complications from multiple system atrophy, left a void in the industry. His impact, however, remains significant. This video explores five key ways Jenkins changed hip-hop coverage. First, Jenkins co-founded 'Ego Trip', a magazine that revolutionized the format of hip-hop journalism. They literally created the idea of the rap list, as seen in their publication 'The Big Book of Rap Lists'. This publication was an ambitious attempt at documenting hip-hop history by quantifying it in list form. Second, Jenkins highlighted entrepreneurship within hip-hop. He founded and published three magazines in quick succession: 'Graphic Scenes & Explicit Language', 'Beat-Down Newspaper', and most famously, 'Ego Trip'. These ventures offered a glimpse into various aspects of hip-hop culture, from graffiti to fashion. Third, Jenkins brought humor to hip-hop journalism. As the video states, "Humor to me is super important; it's a sign of intelligence." This approach, whether interviewing rappers as "Count Chocula" or publishing editorials under the alias of fictional white publisher "Ted Bawno," made 'Ego Trip' unique. Fourth, Jenkins sparked honest and hilarious conversations about race. From 'Ego Trip's 'Big Book of Racism!' to shows like 'The (White) Rapper Show' and even his work on 'The Boondocks', Jenkins never shied away from uncomfortable topics. Fifth, Jenkins elevated the hip-hop documentary. His later career saw a transition to long-form storytelling, starting with 'Fresh Dressed', a film tracing the history of hip-hop fashion, and culminating in 'Of Mics and Men', a definitive documentary on the Wu-Tang Clan. He brought depth, style, and a journalist's eye to the art of documenting hip-hop's legacy. Jenkins's legacy extends beyond his publications and documentaries. His influence is evident in the work of proteges like Complex and Idea Generation's Noah Callahan-Bever and multimedia journalist Brandon "Jinx" Jenkins. Rest in peace to a true visionary.