Democracy in Dakar at Columbia University!
September 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment
What: African Underground film screening and panel discussion
Where: Columbia University in the City of New York, International Affairs Building Rm. 1501
When: TONIGHT!! Wednesday, Oct. 24, 5-8 pm,
Details: FREE!
Ben Herson Featured in the Boston Globe
September 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment
What’s a nice Jewish boy from Newton doing in Senegal, hanging out with hip-hop artists and recording “sick” MCs?
For Ben Herson, the 31-year-old chief executive of Nomadic Wax, he’s shunning cubicle life for the out-of-the-box career of running a mobile “guerrilla-style” hip-hop production company and record label. And, oh yes, back in the states he moonlights as a banquet waiter.
How did Herson get from the halls of Newton South High School to the streets of Dakar, while donning a white tuxedo in between to serve up hors d’oeurves?
Let’s cut to the chase. What do your parents think of all this?
My dad is a cardiologist and my mom’s a folk musician who started an environmental education program. They know it’s a struggle and wish that there were more security in it, but they like that I’m so serious about it.
You wrote a thesis documenting the rise of Senegalese hip-hop and the power of hip-hop as a means of political and social expression. Translate that for us.
Young people in Africa are using hip-hop as more than a means of entertainment, a way to brag and boast about what you have or don’t have. The MCs (rappers) in Senegal are more politically and socially conscious, and a lot of well-educated young people with no economic opportunities have seized upon rap music instead of rioting to express their frustration.”
So what’s with the guerrilla recording?
I take a hard disk recorder, laptop computer, and a couple of microphones and record people wherever they are, whether in a bedroom, basement, or community center. It’s super bare-bones. We take the tracks, mix them in a professional studio, and have released CDs like African Underground Vol. 1 “Hip-Hop Senegal,” a compilation featuring 14 of Dakar’s ill-est MCs.
But one small detail. Your company’s not making money.
I worked for a few months as glorified administrator and project manager, looking at spreadsheets and working in a cubicle. At the end of three weeks, my girlfriend was like, “You’re not looking good.” I wasn’t sleeping, eating poorly, drinking too much coffee. I can see how people come home and want to drink 12 beers and go to bed. I can’t function in that world. I can’t sit there and do mindless crap for the whole day. I don’t want to be a pawn in that game. I’d rather do what I’m passionate about and while still doing what I need to do to make ends meet.
So you like wearing a tuxedo and waiting on people?
I actually have one regular tuxedo and one white polyester tuxedo. That’s the one I wear most frequently. I put it in my suit bag, take the train to work, pour wine and set up food, and then come home at 1:30 in the morning. It’s crazy hours but real human interaction.
So people should drop everything and move to Africa too?
Well, my first inclination is to say, “Don’t do it.” You have to believe in it 100, 200, 300 percent. It’s difficult to make it work as a business. It defies all rationality, doing what you love in the arts. But if you feel like it’s in you, you don’t have a choice.
© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.
Malian Masters to Play CMJ
September 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Just added to Saturday’s show!
What: Balla Koyate - LIVE at Nomadic Wax’s African Underground CMJ Showcase
Where: Rose Live Music - 345 Grand Street Brooklyn , NY 11211
When:October 20th - 8 pm - Close
Details: FREE with CMJ Badge or ASA Membership! 5 $ for everyone else
More Info: Click here!
Balla Kouyaté is one of the greatest balafon players from the Djeli or “griot” tradition in Mali. The Kouyatés were the first djelis in the Mandé Empire. The balafon (ancestor of the xylophone) was given to Balla’s ancestors by nobles in the 12th century and has remained in his family ever since.
Balla seemed destined to play this instrument, learning at the age of six. He performed for the first time in Bamako, Mali at “Palais de la Culture” with Malian singer Sanignai Kouyaté. In 1994, he was a member of the National Percussion of Mali. By 1997 he was granted the opportunity to play with singer Ami Koïta at the O.I.A. conference, which brought together 27 African presidents.
Balla has been called on to play with many African artists touring in the United States and his superior musicianship has been featured on at least 35 albums. Currently he works with kora master Mamadou Diabaté playing venues such as Lincoln Center Outdoor Festival, Symphony Space and festivals around the country. They both are part of Roswell Rudd’s MALIcool ensemble. In 2004, Balla played with Sidiki Condé at Carnegie Hall for a month long residency for children, and has been engaged by many African artists to tour in the United States. He joined Ursel Schlicht’s Ex Tempore in 2004. While playing with Ex Tempore, he felt the need to expand the tonal possibilities of the balafon and created a chromatic instrument, to his knowledge the first chromatic balafon ever. Check out his Collaborations page to see more of his current and past projects.
African Underground: Democracy in Dakar Featured in XXL
September 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment
CMJ Showcases and Film Screenings!
September 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment
What: 2 Night CMJ/Nomadic Wax/Subatomic International Music Throwdown
Where: Rose Live Music - 345 Grand Street Brooklyn , NY 11211
When: October 19th and 20th - 8 pm - Close
Details: FREE with CMJ Badge or ASA Membership! 5 $ for everyone else
BLITZ the AMBASSADOR - September, 28 2007 at Knitting Factory
September 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment
BLITZ the AMBASSADOR
September, 28 2007 at Knitting Factory w/ Loj and more……
Manhattan, New York
BLITZ the AMBASSADOR
September, 30 2007 at Sputnik
Brooklyn, New York
BLITZ the AMBASSADOR
October, 3 2007 at SOB’s
Manhattan, New York
Democracy in Dakar Featured in Flight 808
September 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment
What: Magee McIlvaine’s article on Democracy in Dakar
Where: Right here!
Nomadic Wax Music in Good Magazine’s ‘Bikes For Rwanda’
September 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment
What: Good Magazine’s mini doc about the Bikes for Rwanda program
Where: Right here!
Democracy in Dakar Featured in UN Panel on Hip-Hop
September 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment
What: UN Week’s Hip-Hop Film and Panel Series!
Where: George Washington University - Washington DC - Jack Mortorn Auditorium
When: October 26th - 3 pm
Who: UN, Nomadic Wax, Sol Production, H2A, WBL and More!
Benny Beats to Spin at Ugandan Refugee Benefit
September 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment
What: UNight’s - Benefit for Ugandan Refugees
Where: M1-5 - 52 Walker St, Tribeca
When: Friday October 12th - 6 pm - late
