Brand: Nomadic Wax is a: record label, production company and events production company specializing in hip-hop and underground music from around the globe.
History: Nomadic Wax was started by founder Ben Herson who in the summer of 1999 stumbled upon a thriving hip-hop scene in Senegal, West Africa. Enthralled by the politically and socially conscious lyrics of the MCs he encountered - Herson went on to write ‘Fat Beats Dope Rhymes and Thug Lives: Hip-Hop, Youth and Politics in Senegal” his award winning undergraduate dissertation on the role of youth, hip-hop and politics in Senegal. In the year 2001 Herson returned to Senegal with a laptop, a few microphones the the help of his collaborator - Dan Cantor of Notable productions. The two of them set up shop in a spare room in a community center in Dakar and recorded African Underground Vol. 1 - a compilation featuring 14 of Dakar's illest MCs.
Production Company: Since 2001 Nomadic Wax has recorded over 60 groups from countries including Senegal, Sierra Leone, Brazil, Korea, Palestine and Israel among others places. Guerilla style production is at the heart of the Nomadic Wax aesthetic being able to remain flexible recording in community centers bedrooms, and makeshift studios worldwide. Nomadic Wax has produced nearly all music with partner in crime - Notable Productions.
Film: Nomadic Wax has expanded to include film into it's production arsenal. With collaborators - Sol Productions, Nomadic Wax created the African Underground documentary series. African Underground: Democracy in Dakar and Democracy in Paris have gone on to win awards and accolades from Al Gore's Current TV, Our Stage, BBC and Washington Post.
Events: Nomadic Wax has also pioneered Global Hip-Hop programming in clubs, colleges, conferences and universities internationally. Nomadic Wax programs involve a unique combination of live performance coupled with film screenings and panel discussions. Nomadic Wax has produced and participated in events at: CMJ, Lincoln Center, SOBs, Rose Live Music among others. Nomadic Wax is also a co-founder of the Trinity International Hip-Hop Festival.
MUSIC
Ben Herson has produced, recorded or played drums on recording and liver performances for:
African Underground: Hip-Hop Senegal | African Underground Depths of Dakar | Matissyahu | Eli Efi (Brazil) | Dry Yai (Sierra Leone) | Chosan (Sierra Leone) | Subatomic Sound | Escort | DJ Rekha | Zimbabwe Legit (recorded) | King Django - Roots and Culture n Roots Tonic | Version City Rockers Darker Roots | Johnny Osbourne | Pampidoo | Dr Ring Ding | Dave Hillyard and the Rocksteady 7 | Dub is a Weapon | Ranking Joe | Jammyland Allstars | Glen Adams (Upsetters) |
FILM
African Underground: Democracy in Dakar | African Underground: Democracy in Paris
EVENTS
Celebrate Brooklyn | Harvard University | WOMEX | George Washington University | United Nations Week | Black Soil Film Festival - Netherlands | Vibe Magazine Urban World Film Festival |St Johns University | CMJ 07 | Echo Park Film Center | Trinity College| Sarah Lawrence University | La Paloma | Busboys and Poets, Wash. DC | Wilson Center for Scholars | Africa Fete 2007 | DC Shorts Film Festival | Harborfront Center - Toronto | Queens Museum, NYC | Columbia University | Transafrica Forum | Lincoln Center | SOBS | Rose Live Music | Nublu | Middle East Club | Trinity International Hip-Hop Festival
