MOJO (magazine)

MOJO (magazine)
Title	MOJO
Frequency	Monthly
Founded	1993
Firstdate	1993
Country	United Kingdom
Based	London
Language	English

MOJO (magazine) is a British monthly publication devoted to popular music, focusing primarily on rock, classic rock, folk, and alternative genres. Launched in 1993, it has become known for long-form features, archival research, and lavish cover-mounts, engaging readers interested in The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and Led Zeppelin. The magazine combines retrospective journalism with contemporary criticism and has influenced discourse around figures such as Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, and Radiohead.

History

MOJO was founded in 1993 in London amid a resurgence of interest in legacy artists following events like the Live Aid era and anniversaries of artists such as The Who and The Beatles. Early issues featured deep dives into careers of Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, The Velvet Underground, and Miles Davis, positioning the title alongside publications such as NME, Q (magazine), and Rolling Stone. Throughout the 1990s MOJO chronicled movements tied to Britpop, including coverage of Oasis, Blur, Pulp, and Suede, while also profiling American acts like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and R.E.M.. The 2000s saw MOJO expand archival series on icons including Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Prince, Johnny Cash, and Aretha Franklin as well as contemporary explorations of Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Kanye West, and Arcade Fire. Ownership and editorial changes linked MOJO to media groups with portfolios including EMAP, Bauer Media Group, and other publishers active in United Kingdom magazine markets. Special coverage has marked anniversaries of albums such as Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Dark Side of the Moon, OK Computer, Exile on Main St., and London Calling.

Editorial Content and Features

MOJO’s format emphasizes long-form journalism, retrospectives, and annotated discographies, with regular columns on figures including John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Features often include oral histories of events such as the Woodstock festival, the Monterey Pop Festival, and the Isle of Wight Festival, plus analytical pieces on albums by The Smiths, The Clash, The Police, U2, and The Cure. The magazine runs cover-mounts and compilations tied to artists like The Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, Brian Wilson, and Neil Diamond, and publishes collector guides for labels such as Motown, Atlantic Records, Columbia Records, Island Records, and Sub Pop. MOJO’s features profile producers and industry figures such as George Martin, Rick Rubin, Brian Eno, Phil Spector, and Quincy Jones, and examine movements involving punk rock, grunge, singer-songwriters, progressive rock, and post-punk through the lens of artists like The Ramones, Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, PJ Harvey, and Nick Cave.

Notable Contributors and Interviews

Contributors to MOJO have included music journalists and authors associated with publications and institutions such as Melody Maker, The Guardian, The Independent, The New York Times, Uncut (magazine), and The Times. Notable interview subjects have ranged from legacy artists like Paul Simon, George Harrison (in archival material), Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and Bob Marley (archival) to contemporary figures including Björk, Kendrick Lamar, Adele, Coldplay, and St. Vincent. The magazine has published oral histories featuring members of Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Genesis, Yes (band), and Deep Purple, plus interviews with session musicians and collaborators such as Nile Rodgers, Steve Albini, Tom Petty (archival), and Willie Nelson. Writers who have contributed include historians and biographers known for work on Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Prince (musician), Janis Joplin, Marcus Mumford, and Sting.

Circulation, Distribution, and Readership

MOJO’s distribution spans the United Kingdom and international markets including United States, Australia, Canada, and parts of Europe and Asia. Circulation has been tracked in industry audits alongside titles such as Q (magazine), NME, and Mojo’s‬ competitors (archival reference), and readership demographics skew toward collectors and older adults with interests in artists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, and Sam Cooke. The magazine’s retail presence in outlets such as WHSmith, independent record shops, and online retailers complements subscriptions managed via distributors tied to larger publishing houses associated with Haymarket Media Group-era rivals and modern digital platforms.

Special Issues, Awards, and Projects

MOJO has produced special themed issues celebrating milestones such as the anniversaries of The Beatles' Abbey Road, David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, and genre surveys of psychedelia, country rock, and southern rock with focus on artists like The Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. The magazine has run tribute and compilation series honoring figures such as John Lennon, George Harrison, Etta James, Marvin Gaye, and Curtis Mayfield, and organized projects that intersect with festivals like Glastonbury Festival and commemorative releases tied to archives such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. MOJO’s awards and reader polls have highlighted best albums and artists in company with industry prizes like the Mercury Prize, BRIT Awards, and Grammy Awards, while curated box sets and liner-note projects have involved labels such as Rhino Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music.

Digital Presence and Multimedia Extensions

MOJO maintains an online portal with content linked to web archives and partner platforms including audio streams, podcasts, and multimedia features spotlighting artists like The Who, The Kinks, The Stooges, Jeff Buckley, and Eagles of Death Metal. Its digital offerings include subscriber-access articles, digital editions, and curated playlists on streaming services that feature catalogues from Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and archival material from BBC Radio sessions and NPR interviews. MOJO has engaged in multimedia collaborations with documentary producers and broadcasters associated with BBC Television, Channel 4, HBO, and independent film-makers producing biographies of artists like Johnny Cash, Amy Winehouse, Tupac Shakur, and Kurt Cobain.

Category:Music magazines published in the United Kingdom