''Nang!'' is a general interest magazine based in

Aldgate Aldgate () was a gate in the former defensive wall around the City of London. It gives its name to Aldgate High Street, the first stretch of the A11 road, which included the site of the former gate. The area of Aldgate, the most common use of ...

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

. 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 London borough covering much of the traditional East End. It was formed in 1965 from the merger of the former metropolitan boroughs of Stepney, Poplar, and Bethnal Green. 'Tower Hamlets' was originall ...

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 A newspaper is a periodical publication containing written information about current events and is often typed in black ink with a white or gray background. Newspapers can cover a wide ...

''. 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 (; born 5 February 1948) is a Swedish football manager and former player. After an unassuming playing career as a right-back, Eriksson went on to experience major success in club management between 1977 and 2001, winning ...

, just before the

World Cup A world cup is a global sporting competition in which the participant entities – usually international teams or individuals representing their countries – compete for the title of world champion. The event most associated with the concept i ...

, as well as MOBO winner, Sway DaSafo. Two more issues were released in 2006. The Summer issue featured interviews with rapper and beatboxer, Killa Kella, and ''

X-Men The X-Men are a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, first appearing in ''The X-Men'' #1 by artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby and writer/editor Stan Lee in 1963. Although initially cancelled in 1970 due to ...

'' star,

Ian McKellen Sir Ian Murray McKellen (born 25 May 1939) is an English actor. His career spans seven decades, having performed in genres ranging from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. Regarded as a British cultural ...

. This was followed by the Autumn/Winter issue featuring

Eva Longoria Eva Jacqueline Longoria Bastón ( Longoria; March 15, 1975) is an American actress, producer, and director. After a number of guest roles on several television series, she was recognized for her portrayal of Isabella Braña on the CBS daytim ...

. 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

. The Autumn/Winter 2006 issue was released with

of ''

Desperate Housewives ''Desperate Housewives'' is an American comedy-drama soap opera 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 to ...

'' 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 McDonald (born George McDonald; 16 August 1939) is a Trinidadian- British newsreader and journalist, best known for his career as a news presenter with ITN. McDonald was knighted in 1999 for his services to journalism. Caree ...

and the Home Secretary, John Reid, at the Bloomsbury Theatre,

. 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 served as Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition from November 2003 to December 2005. He previously held cabinet posit ...

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 daily national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title ''The Daily Universal Register'', adopting its current name on 1 January 1788. ''The Times'' and its sister paper '' The Sunday Times'' ...

''. 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 Youth magazines Free magazines Celebrity magazines published in the United Kingdom