Trace Magazine June 1998, Issue 16, features an exclusive cover story with Mariah Carey titled "How Can I Be Down?" where she opens up and comes clean. This issue marks the US launch edition and highlights major figures in hip hop and urban culture including A Tribe Called Quest, Hype Williams, Trackmasters, and Stretch Armstrong. Inside, readers will find in-depth articles on Mos Def and Talib Kweli's renegade rhymes, the failure of hip hop journalism, and the best underground mixtapes of the time. The magazine also covers Lenny Kravitz's new album and introduces Spike Lee's new starlet, offering a comprehensive look at late 90s music and culture.