Apr 21, 2020

The man behind a piece of Hip-Hop culture, Insomniac Magazine

Israel Vasquetelle grew up in the Bronx, New York during the beginning of one of the most influential movements in not only music, but creative history in general. Hip-Hop culture in all its diversity served as an inspiration, and “coming from ground zero of the movement… being able to create something that was your own in and of itself was motivation.” This motivation led Israel through the trenches of the music industry himself. Recording music in the ‘80s and being signed to labels during that time gave him more than enough experience to “continue what [he] was doing in different mediums,” that being publications. Around the age of 20, he made a move to Orlando where he began one of the first all hip-hop radio shows in the market. After hosting and producing on radio and for other publications, would come the birth of “the world’s first Hip-Hop industry publications,” Insomniac Magazine.

Israel Vasquetelle and Kool Keith

Beginning in 1995 as a newsletter and evolving into a magazine publication just a year later, Insomniac has created a strong legacy that has been homegrown since its inception. Along with his wife; longtime friends Kevin Keith, Insomniac’s co-editor and Tony Samuel who among other things, helped with Insomniac’s buzz around New York City, were key players in a publication that would become greatly impactful and a diamond to the movement. For over more than two decades, the magazine covered and interviewed a multitude of influential artists and has evolved with the industry to include a podcast titled “Sounds from the Underground.” Each episode dives deep into the trenches of Hip-Hop and gives listeners a chance to hear from many groundbreaking emcees and producers about topics to include life, culture, and marketing. The greatly humble beginnings of Insomniac Magazine are parallel to that of the beginnings of the Hip-Hop movement and has been truly a staple to the culture.

Israel Vasquetelle and Chuck D

Hip-Hop surely has its pioneers some to include, Grandmaster Flash, Kool Herc and Zulu Nation, but the movement is composed of multiple layers of creativity. Each layer exists separately but together fuel a movement whose history may not be discussed as it deserves, but has left a lasting impact which can be seen and heard across the world.“Hip-Hop first and foremost was a powerful culture…because it provided a meaningful outlet for the inner-city youth who created it and, in many ways, saved lives. With this, came the development of numerous artists and creatives whose work truly embodied the humble essence of Hip-Hop culture. “It’s a lot more than just what’s popular on radio or online, and the roots stem back at this point over four decades and not just years,” andfor nearly three of those decades starting with radio, he’s helped “…put a shine on the culture, and a spotlight on the superb talent that hadn’t gotten in many instances that attention quite yet.” This includes providing many artists with some of their very first features and magazine covers. Israel Vasquetelle and Insomniac Magazine helped to shed a light on countless talent throughout the industry and continues to be an important piece in the intricate puzzle of Hip-Hop.