In December of 2001, Wax Poetics debuted its first issue to a small following of record collectors and “beat diggers.” Ten years later, Wax Poetics has carved out a niche for itself in the world of music journalism and expanded its audience to a worldwide congregation of music lovers.

Issue 50 marks our ten-year anniversary and does so with one of the most iconic musicians in the history of African American music, the one and only Prince.

We’ve also done a full redesign, making the magazine slightly larger—8 x 10.5 inches—and we’ve embraced a new paper stock. Wax Poetics will look a bit different on the newsstand, with a new mark making its debut in place of our old logo, but the magazine will continue to be a collectible objet d’art, something to be saved on your shelf as a musical reference manual, not recycled like other mags.

Wax Poetics has also returned to its roots as a journal and is back to being quarterly. The new price of $11.99 reflects not only radical changes in the publishing industry and the economy, but also the guarantee of continued quality from the paper stock to the writing and photographs. As always, our subscription prices offer a great deal of savings off the cover price.

While we vow to keep Wax Poetics in print as a tangible entity, bucking the trend of ridding our culture of old-school reading products, we will also start offering a digital version of the magazine this year for the iPhone, iPad, Android, and other popular handheld devices.

Issue 50 will be on sale shortly, so please join us as we embark on our tenth year of celebrating the unprecedented and untouchable African American musical tradition!

Written, directed, and edited by Nick Sasso.
Produced by Wax Poetics, Nick Sasso, and Casa de Luz.
© 2011 Wax Poetics and M Side Productions.

Shot on location in New York City.

Forthcoming Kendra Morris LP on Wax Poetics Records spring 2012.

Purchase the “Concrete Waves” Digital EP with the “DJ Premier 320 Remix.”

Purchase the official Serato Control Vinyl 12-inch in limited-edition “blue concrete swirl.”

From the forthcoming debut album by newest Wax Poetics Records artist Kendra Morris comes the first single, “Concrete Waves,” a menacingly funky groove that serves as a warning of what’s to come.

The track is remixed by the one-and-only DJ Premier, proving yet again why the iconic producer is an incomparable hip-hop legend.

The two-song release is available as a Digital Single (with the remix instrumental and a cappella) for just $1.99 and, on December 6, as an official Serato Control Vinyl 12-inch in limited-edition blue concrete swirl—with iconic cover art shot by photographer Harry Bernstein—on sale now at Wax Poetics Storefront.

While already being compared to the blue-eyed-soul divas of the U.K., Kendra’s own unique songwriting and lush harmonies set her firmly in a league of her own. Cowriter/producer Jeremy Page creates consistently inventive aural atmospheres—from heavy, head-nodding rhythms to introspective, soulful guitar work—that push the music giant steps ahead of the current soul scene. Kendra and Page expand the genre, creating something that is truly their own.

Check out the Wax Poetics Store for great t-shirts for only $5!

The Songwriters Hall of Fame and ASCAP have awarded the 2011 Holly Prize to newly signed Wax Poetics artist  Kendra Morris!

In 2009, the SHOF announced the creation of a new award made possible by Songmasters as a tribute to the legacy of Buddy Holly, a Hall of Fame inductee. The Holly Prize annually recognizes and supports talented new singer/songwriters whose work exhibits the qualities of Holly’s music: true, great, and original. On behalf of Wax Poetics and our partners Notable Music, we want to congratulate Kendra on this incredible honor. Thanks to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Songmasters, and ASCAP.

We’ve updated our Synthesizer section in Wax Poetics Digital!

Whether the music is totally synth-driven, or just  has a few choice synthesizer solos, we’ve noted the best albums to create a section that is truly worthy of spending some time browsing. Rediscover the classics, like Alan Howarth’s The Lost Empire, Gianni Safred’s Futurible, and Patrick Adams’ crazy synth jams, and discover new gems like Chico Mann, Cheebacabra, and Computer Jay.

We can’t get enough of this stuff, and just want to share a little bit of it with you.

Props: Arabian Prince, Knightlife, Newcleus, John Carpenter, Junie, Cheebacabra, Bruce Haack, Alan Howarth, Chin Chin, Professor Genius, Malone & Barnes, 9dw, Dam-Funk, Sun Ra, Freestyle, Egyptian Lover, Flying Lotus, Bob James, Art of Noise, Aja West, Glass Candy, Maggatron, Gianni Safred, James Pants, Goblin, Chico Mann, Gary Davis, Patrick Adams, Universal Robot Band, Was (Not Was), Zombi.

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