Adam Aziz, "Class of '88"

Adam Aziz, one of the originators of hip-hop and urban entertainment coverage online, launched the Hip-Hop Newsletter (also known as the HHN) back in 1996. It was the first email-based hip-hop newsletter online and one of the few sources of hip-hop and urban entertainment coverage anywhere on the internet at the time. Starting with a few hundred readers, the Hip-Hop Newsletter's readership grew quickly and, at its peak, was being sent to over 100,000 worldwide readers monthly. The publication was also one of the first internet-based properties to engage entertainment companies in unique online promotions and contests, including extensive work with New Line Cinema in the late 90s. Ninety-six issues of the Hip-Hop Newsletter were published, with the final issue being sent in February 2006. The newsletter was read by some of the most recognizable names in hip-hop history, including Naughty By Nature, KRS-One, Ed O.G., and countless others, along with many industry insiders and record label executives.

In June 2006, Adam created HHNLive.com, where Adam was the Editor-in-Chief and co-owner. Following the site's launch, it quickly became one of the internet's highest-trafficked hip-hop and urban entertainment sites bringing in upwards of 350,000 unique visitors per month. Such publications and networks referenced the site's content as MTV, Rolling Stone, AllHipHop.com, and countless others. In February 2008, Adam sold his interest in HHNLive.com, although he remained editor-in-chief until June 2008.

Following his departure from HHNLive.com, Adam was approached to be Managing Editor at StreetCred.com, an urban entertainment site started by rapper and actor T.I. Adam became Managing Editor in July 2008 and immediately played a large role in the re-design of StreetCred.com while at the same time increasing the site's traffic substantially spiking the Alexa ranking from 137,000 overall to 63,000 overall in less than six months. Adam opted to end his contract with StreetCred.com in December 2008, following which he launched brokencool.com, very likely the internet's first hip-hop/comedy blog (it is now a portfolio site). The blog took a humorous approach to cover hip-hop news, reviews, and interviews through original content and listicles. Due to the success of brokencool.com, Adam was the first guest blogger on Elliott Wilson and Paul Rosenberg's (Eminem's Manager) RapRadar, amongst other accolades.

Adam was named Music Editor for Toronto's Mic Check Magazine, Canada's first hip-hop publication and a very popular monthly, at 18.