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''Nang!'' is a general interest magazine based in
Aldgate Aldgate () was a gate in the former defensive wall around the City of London. The gate gave its name to ''Aldgate High Street'', the first stretch of the A11 road, that takes that name as it passes through the ancient, extramural Portsoken ...
,
London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
. Aimed at 14- to 21-year-olds, the magazine is free and is distributed at sixth forms colleges, universities, libraries and Connexions centres in the London area on a quarterly basis. In December 2006, ''Nang!'' was presented with one of the Philip Lawrence Awards for services to the local community.


Background

''Nang!'' magazine was created in summer 2001 as a course on Tower Hamlets Summer University's (THSU) summer courses. The course was completely funded by big businesses and other charitable organizations and featured a small group of journalists who came together to create a free magazine that would paint a positive picture of the youth in east London. Featuring local artists and celebrities, the magazine achieved a following in the
Tower Hamlets The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is a borough in London, England. Situated on the north bank of the River Thames and immediately east of the City of London, the borough spans much of the traditional East End of London and includes much of ...
borough. A journalist worked with the youngsters to create a magazine relevant to the youth in Tower Hamlets. For the 2003 course, THSU brought freelance journalist, Adeline Iziren, on board. Iziren had previously worked on '' The Voice'' newspaper and was a regular contributor to the Education and Careers section in ''
The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...
''. She had also had extensive experience in helping groups of young people to create their own magazine. The magazine continued to grow and soon distribution increased to include the Hackney area and most of east London.


Quarterly publication

Following the release of the 2005 summer issue, THSU announced that it had secured funding to publish ''Nang!'' quarterly with Divina Glah as editor-in-chief. The first quarterly issue published in January 2006 featured hip-hop magician Dynamo on the cover and included an interview with local MC, Professor Green, and a feature on Pride of Britain winner, Ashley Huxley. The magazine received positive reviews for its style and relevance to its audience. The Spring 2006 issue featured an interview with former England Head Coach,
Sven-Göran Eriksson Sven-Göran Eriksson (; 5 February 1948 – 26 August 2024) was a Swedish association football, football player and Coach (sport), manager. After a playing career as a right-back, Eriksson went on to experience major success in club management ...
, just before the
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, as well as MOBO winner,
Sway DaSafo Derek Andrew Safo (born 5 September 1982), better known by his stage name Sway or Sway DaSafo, is a British rapper of Ghanaian descent. He is also a producer, having established Dcypha Productions, signed to Island/Universal (label founder). ...
. Two more issues were released in 2006. The Summer issue featured interviews with rapper and beatboxer, Killa Kella, and ''
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'' star,
Ian McKellen Sir Ian Murray McKellen (born 25 May 1939) is an English actor. He has played roles on the screen and stage in genres ranging from Shakespearean dramas and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. He is regarded as a British cu ...
. This was followed by the Autumn/Winter issue featuring
Eva Longoria Eva Jacqueline Longoria Bastón ( Longoria; born March 15, 1975) is an American actress, producer, director, and businesswoman. After several guest roles on television, she became recognized for her portrayal of Isabella Braña on the CBS day ...
. In summer 2006, the decision was made to re-launch the magazine to a smaller age range, whilst increasing distribution to include the whole of
London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
. The Autumn/Winter 2006 issue was released with
Eva Longoria Eva Jacqueline Longoria Bastón ( Longoria; born March 15, 1975) is an American actress, producer, director, and businesswoman. After several guest roles on television, she became recognized for her portrayal of Isabella Braña on the CBS day ...
of ''
Desperate Housewives ''Desperate Housewives'' is an American mystery comedy-drama television series created by Marc Cherry, and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. It aired for eight seasons on ABC from October 3, 2004, until May 13, 2012, for a tota ...
'' on the cover. For the first time, ''Nang!'' magazine contained paid advertisements.


Financial troubles

Despite the popularity of the magazine, its future was put in jeopardy by lack of funds for 2007. The Winter 2007 issue was cancelled and much of the team resigned due to the uncertainty. Six months later, the magazine returned headed by former editor-in-chief, David Gordon.


Awards


2007 : Guardian Student Magazine of the Year Award

On 22 November 2007, ''Nang!'' magazine was given ''The Guardian'' Student Magazine of the Year award.


2007 : TalkTalk Innovation Award

''Nang!'' magazine was recognised for its technological ambitions. A cheque for £2000 was awarded as well as free broadband for a year by TalkTalk.


2007 : BT Seen And Heard Award

''Nang!'' magazine was rewarded for its positive image in East London by the BT Seen And Heard Awards.


2006 : Philip Lawrence Award

On 6 December 2006, ''Nang!'' magazine was presented with one of the Philip Lawrence Awards by Sir
Trevor McDonald Sir Trevor Lawson McDonald (born George McDonald; 16 August 1939) is a Trinidadian-British newsreader and journalist, best known for his career as a news presenter with Independent Television News (ITN). McDonald began his career working as a ...
and the Home Secretary, John Reid, at the Bloomsbury Theatre,
London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
. Created in memory of the murdered headteacher by his widow Frances Lawrence, the awards celebrate the achievements of youth groups and organizations in their local area. ''Nang!'' and seven other winners each received cheques worth £1,000.


Rebranding

In 2007, the magazine sought to rebrand itself in order to increase its appeal. More serious content was introduced, and there was an increase in celebrity features and fashion. Interviewees varied from
Michael Howard Michael Howard, Baron Howard of Lympne (born Michael Hecht; 7 July 1941) is a British politician who was Leader of the Conservative Party (UK), Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition (United Kingdom), Leader of the Opposi ...
to
Lethal Bizzle Maxwell Owusu Ansah (born 14 September 1984), known by his stage name Lethal Bizzle, is a British rapper from Walthamstow, London, of Ghanaian origin. He emerged in 2002 as a grime MC as part of More Fire Crew, with their grime single "Oi!" c ...
to the editor of ''
The Times ''The Times'' is a British Newspaper#Daily, daily Newspaper#National, national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title ''The Daily Universal Register'', adopting its modern name on 1 January 1788. ''The Times'' and its si ...
''. In January 2008, editor-in-chief, David Gordon, and creative editor, Sanoobar Patel, left Nang! to pursue other projects. Assistant editor, Kamillia Kasbi, took charge.


References

{{Reflist


External links


Nang!
section of Futureversity website
Nangs Delivery
in Melbourne Australia Student magazines published in the United Kingdom Quarterly magazines published in the United Kingdom Youth-led media Magazines established in 2001 Teen magazines published in the United Kingdom Free magazines Celebrity magazines published in the United Kingdom Young adult magazines