Check Out Datwon Thomas’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Datwon Thomas.

Hi Datwon, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started my career in music journalism as an unpaid intern at VIBE Magazine in 1996. By the Fall of 1997, I was brought on the XXL Magazine team as a junior editor in the music department. I went on to dabble in the internet boom with Hookt.com for a year and a half. After which, I founded KING Magazine, a men’s lifestyle brand that was very successful. That Magazine had several spin-offs like Rides, Donk, Box & Bubble and a few others. I joined forces with XXL EIC Elliott Wilson and co founded Hip-Hop Soul Mag, dedicated to the fusion of Hip-Hop and R&B. I then went to Global Grind.com with Russell Simmons. After that, I rejoined VIBE Magazine for a spell that lasted from 2010 to 2013. From there I explored Silicon Valley for Steve Jobs’ widow, Laurane Jobs’ OZY.com, a mainstream news/entertainment dot Com. From there I rejoined VIBE again as EIC from 2015 to 2023. While at VIBE during the latter part of this run, I became a consultant to the Dick Clark Productions team. After 3 years of advising them, they hired me full-time in 2023. In the spring of 2025, I moved on to focus on my own independent content consulting company Daylight Media. And was once again rehired by VIBE to help merge them with Rolling Stone and I currently do that today.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Tons of challenges and struggles…some being internal, not sure if I could do what was being asked of me early on. So I returned to school at NYU to get my Journalism certificate and felt more equipped to tackle the work load and industry. Also, learning the facade that is the industry where everything that glitters isn’t gold. Learning the true intentions of those around me was a learning curve for sure.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a writer and content specialist. I love curating visual experiences be it from reading the words on a page to producing live TV events. I specialize in Hip-Hop and all of it’s forms of expression to the masses. I’m known for creating KING Magazine. I’m most proud of the variety of quality that my 30 years in the industry showcases. And I believe my vision and my kindness sets me apart from others.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Hmmm…family gatherings are probably my favorite childhood memories. Everyone that I loved was still here with us, laughing and living life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Daylightmedia.studio
• Instagram: Datwon
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/datwon-thomas

Image Credits
Phyllis Iller aka Melissa Alexander