Details
- Reference NumberARC-0057
- Level of descriptioncollection
- TitleJames Bernard Papers
- Date1990-2008, undated
- Size1.46 (Linear feet)
- Scope and ContentsThe James Bernard Papers span the year 1990 to 2006 and include undated materials. The Papers are arranged into three series: papers, audiovisual material, and magazines. The papers consist of correspondence, clippings, financial records, and other documents related to The Source magazine, promotional materials from the National Hip Hop Political Convention, interview transcripts, press kits from various magazines, and other miscellaneous items. The audiovisual materials in the collection include VHS cassettes, two CD-Rs, and audiocassette recordings of interviews. The magazines include single issues of non-music magazines related to African American culture. Items of note in the collection include the letters from readers of The Source located in the Correspondence file, which includes both supportive and critical responses to the magazine, invitations for Bernard to speak at various functions, a letter from Carol Moseley Braun regarding an appearance before Congress to discuss rap lyrics (Bernard's remarks accompany the letter), a faxed letter from Bernard to David Mays demanding Mays' resignation as publisher of The Source, and a letter from Bernard and Reginald Dennis to Mumia Abu-Jamal, negotiating terms for an article to be written by Abu-Jamal for XXL. The James Bernard Papers will be useful to researchers interested in rap and hip hop music in the 1990s and early 2000s. The collection should not be interpreted as an exhaustive business history of The Source.
- Biography / Administrative HistoryJames Bernard is cofounder of The Source and XXL magazines. Bernard also worked as the National Field Director for the Hip-Hop Political Convention. He has written about pop culture for the New York Times, the Village Voice, and Entertainment Weekly. Bernard is also executive coordinator of the Project Forum on Race and Democracy, a project of the Rockefeller Foundation.
- Timeline1988: Co-founds The Source.
1997: Founds XXL with Reginald Dennis. - NotesAcquisition Note: The James Bernard Papers were received by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. as gifts from James Bernard on July 13, 2010 and on March 2, 2011.
Citation: [Identification of Item], James Bernard Papers, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Processing Information: Processed by Christine Borne, Project Archivist. Completed February 17, 2011. Revised to add accrual March 21, 2011. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local processing manual.
Separated Materials: Commercial CDs, DVDs, VHS videocassettes, and magazines have been transferred to the library collection. Please search for the "James Bernard Papers" in the library catalog for a list of donated titles. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, consult the Library and Archives staff to ensure these materials are available. - AccessCollection is open for research. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration form before using this collection. The condition of some of these materials has not yet been determined for playback purposes and they are, therefore, RESTRICTED. Some of the audiovisual materials in the collection are on defunct media formats and, therefore, are RESTRICTED. Access copies of these materials may have to be created prior to use. Consult the Library and Archives staff in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.
- UseThe copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.
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