H. James Bernard ’87, of Burlington, N.J. A former classmate of President Barack Obama’s at Harvard Law School, he received his law degree in 1991 and embarked on a journalism career where he was instrumental in shaping hip-hop journalism.
While still in law school, he started working at The Source. This was a time when artists were rapping about topics like Malcolm X. He became a journalist for the magazine and helped to establish a critical framework that treated rap music as a serious art form. His contributions to the magazine were many and included the influential “Doin’ the Knowledge” column. The column documented crucial cultural issues. His reporting of the Rodney King verdict in 1992 will remain part of his legacy as reported in the New York Times. Under his editorial leadership, the infamous mic ranking was introduced for rappers (The Source used microphones for its ratings instead of stars). He eventually became its co–editor in chief, a role he held until 1994. Bernard told CNN in 1997, “I’ve always thought that a hip hop magazine should be smart … it shouldn’t pander to its audience.” Along with his work at The Source, he wrote for the New York Times about rap’s crossover into Hollywood. And in 1994, he cowrote The New Book of Rock Lists with rock critic Dave Marsh. Writing for CounterPunch, Oklahoma State University academic Lawrence Ware said that Bernard “helped legitimize hip-hop to the world.” After eventually leaving The Source over creative differences, Bernard cofounded XXL in 1997 with Reginald Dennis.
In addition to his magazine work, Bernard also served on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominating committee, worked as the National Field Director of the Hip-Hop Political Convention, was the executive coordinator of the Project Forum on Race and Democracy, and, beginning in 2018, was a senior director for New York City’s Department of Youth and Community Development—a role where he contributed his experience to city-run youth and community initiatives.
The James Bernard Papers, housed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library & Archives, span 1990 to 2006 and are arranged into three series—papers, audiovisual material, and magazines that document his career as a music industry professional.
In his Instagram tribute, Questlove credited Bernard with teaching him “that taste is subjective, that regionalism matters, and that criticism—done right—can sharpen your ear and your purpose,” adding that Bernard helped move hip-hop “from skepticism to seriousness, from novelty to culture.”
He is survived by wife Margarita Bernard; a daughter; two sons; including Jefferson C. Bernard ’22, ’23 ScM; a sister; and a brother.
