The Source is an American hip hop and entertainment website, and a magazine that publishes annually or semiannually.

It is the world's longest-running rap periodical, being founded as a newsletter[1] in 1988 by David Mays.

[4] The 1995 Source Awards were noted for their effect on the hip-hop landscape, particularly in escalating tension between the East and West Coast hip-hop communities, which likely precipitated the murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls.

[7] The Record Report is a section in the publication in which the magazine's staff rates hip-hop albums.

[9] A total of 45 albums have been awarded five mics; a complete, chronological list is below.