Danyel Smith, vice president & editorial director, VIBE Media Group, and editor-in-chief, VIBE, issued the following statement today in response to Robin Thicke’s recent comments featured in Billboard.

“We have a great deal of respect for Robin Thicke and his music, and we remain flattered by his desire to be on a VIBE cover.  A VIBE cover is a huge milestone in any artist’s career — recent cover stars include Young Jeezy, Mariah Carey, 50 Cent, Usher, Senator Barack Obama, Eminem, Lil Wayne, and Robert De Niro, to say nothing of our 15-year history. We wish Thicke the best, and we’re glad he discusses his thoughts on race and R&B in the new October 2008 issue of VIBE.”

About Vibe Media Group:
VIBE Magazine is the nation’s leading publication reporting on music, fashion, politics and culture geared towards a multicultural audience, published by VIBE Media Group.  VIBE Media Group, an affiliate of the Wicks Media Group, LLC, is a leading music lifestyle media company that also produces myriad other VIBE branded properties including VIBE.com, VHollywood, Vibe Yardfest and VIBE Books, which published The New York Times-bestseller, Tupac Shakur.  Founded in 1993 by the multitalented Quincy Jones, the award-winning VIBE magazine has maintained its position as the most credible, trendsetting and innovative publication influencing generations.
 
VIBE is the definitive voice of urban culture, influencing music, life and style for over a million readers around the world.