Launched in 1993 by Quincy Jones, Vibe magazine is arguably one of America's biggest music magazines. It's now about to become the next casualty in the print industry. Various sources both inside and outside the publication have confirmed the impending shut down, and an official announcement is expected later today.

Vibe enjoyed a good deal of success during the late 1990's as well as the earlier part of this decade thanks to the popularity of R&B and hip-hop, however in recent years the magazine has been struggling. Under its new owner, the Wicks Group, who purchased the magazine in 2006, times have been tough. This past February Vibe reduced circulation and publishing frequency, cut salaries, and moved employees to a four-day workweek in an attempt to save money. All that did was stave off the inevitable for a few months.

RIP Vibe.