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Episode 1: Who’d Veto That?

By: Sheena Lester, Ben Osborne, Jonathan Rheingold
Narrated by: Sheena Lester
  • Summary

  • “Who'd Veto That?" -- Those three words in a shocked editor-in-chief's mind lit the fuse to the most memorable photo shoot in hip-hop history. What began as an inspired idea born in tribute to the legendary Art Kane Jazz Portrait of 1958, became a determined quest for a passionate magazine staff, who through spirit, skill and certitude would bring XXL's "Great Day in Hip-Hop" to life. In this episode, we meet Sheena Lester, XXL’s editor-in-chief as she guides us through the ideas' early stages: from inspiration to second thoughts and finally a bold decision. As the mission to make the historic photo happen unfolds, we hear from many involved, including members of the XXL staff, and some of the rap artists in the photo, like Black Thought, MC Serch, Rah Digga and others.
    ©2023 UMG Recordings, Inc. and Audible Originals LLC (P)2023 UMG Recordings, Inc. and Audible Originals LLC
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About the Creator and Performer

Previously an assistant news editor and multiplatform editor at Philadelphia Media Network, Sheena Lester is also the former arts & culture editor of Philadelphia Weekly and former managing editor of BlackAmericaWeb.com. A pioneer in urban music magazines, Lester has served as editor in chief of RapPages and XXL as well as music editor of Vibe, executive editor of 360HipHop.com, and VP of music content at BET Interactive.
She began her foray into journalism at the Los Angeles Sentinel before being hired by Larry Flynt Publications to oversee its flagship rap publication, turning RapPages into an international sensation with its provocative mix of music, advocacy, and culture reporting. She brought that same mix of energy and intellect to New York-based media circles, first at Vibe, then in the top chair at XXL. For the latter, Lester co-produced 1998’s "A Great Day in Hip-Hop," a recreation of Art Kane’s famous "Jazz Portrait" with over 200 rap music greats—convincing legendary photographer Gordon Parks to capture the image for posterity on the same Harlem stoop where the stalwarts of jazz were immortalized 40 years prior.

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