Wax Poetics Japan
Wax Poetics has just debuted Issue 01 of Wax Poetics Japan. Read Editor-in-Chief Andre Torres’s Letter from the Editor:
Though I have written many of these letters over the course of the last seven years, this one is special because it marks the beginning of a new journey for Wax Poetics. We set out hoping to bring our message to the world, knowing there were people all over the planet who were passionate about their music just like us. We attracted a devoted international following very early on, though not all of them have been able to fully enjoy the magazine. We knew our fellow Japanese heads enjoyed our visual stylings, and we felt Japan would be the best place to start if we were able to reach an even wider international audience. So it is with great pleasure that I present to you the inaugural issue of Wax Poetics Japan. Whether you’ve been down from day one and ready to take it to the next level or you’re completely new to this, welcome to a new vision and a deeper understanding of the music we all love. This first issue is the culmination of years of passion and hard work, our Brooklyn team building with a dedicated squad in Tokyo who fully understand our mission—bringing you the finest in music journalism, whether it be in hip-hop, soul, funk, jazz, reggae, Afro-funk, Latin, or disco. If it’s funky, we’re in the middle of it. This collector’s edition debut pulls from the best that Wax Poetics has offered over the years, with jazz-funk legends Herbie Hancock, Roy Ayers, and Bobbi Humphrey sharing space along side hip-hop luminaries Afrika Bambaataa, RZA, and Madlib. We also look at the soul of Donny Hathaway and Marvin Whitney while speaking with a few DJ selectors like Gilles Peterson, Louie Vega, and Kon & Amir, who are always looking for the perfect beat to keep dance floors moving all over the world. When you throw in the visual worlds of hip-hop photographer Ricky Powell and CTI art director Bob Ciano, you begin to get a perspective on the culture that you won’t find anywhere else. Wax Poetics is here to deliver the goods for the real music fiends who dig deep and can’t get enough. So join us as we kick offa new era in Japanese music journalism, feeding the hungry masses with musical nourishment for the soul. We’ll be coming with more bangers throughout the year and beyond, so sit back and enjoy the funky ride.
Arigato,
Andre Torres
Visit the Wax Poetics Japan website.
