BBC News recently profiled record label Nomadic Wax, a company dedicated to bringing hip-hop from all over the world to a wide audience. BBC reporter Alexis Akwagyiram writes:

Public Enemy rapper Chuck D famously once said rap was “CNN for black people”.

In the years following its emergence in 1970s New York, hip-hop culture has manifested itself around the world - most notably in the many rap acts that now exist across the globe. Ben Herson is the founder of fair trade record label Nomadic Wax, which is committed to bringing acts from developing countries into the wider public consciousness by distributing music online, pressing records and making documentaries.

He argues that Africa is the true “birthplace of hip-hop”.

“It travelled through the transatlantic slave trade to the US, via the Caribbean - that’s what created this culture,” he says.

“Hip-hop is the missing connection between the US and Africa. It’s about a conversation within the African diaspora. There was Creole culture, the blues, jazz, rock’n’roll and it has become hip-hop.”

To help you become even more familiar with the music and artists, The BBC has included a world map featuring embedded video and audio of the music by artists mentioned, and three additional separate audio files streaming music or interviews. It makes for an informative and comprehensive read.

For a further education, 92YTribeca (”the new Apollo Theater”) will take this one step further, and host a CMJ Showcase: Nomadic Wax and The Bloom Effect Present: on Oct 22. To be hosted by Blitz the Ambassador and featuring global lineup of artists including New York’s own DJ Boo and Phat Phillie from Croatia. Also At Versaris from Spain, Holland’s La Melodia, Coolooloosh from Israel, Alfaress from Morocco and Nomadic Massive from Canada.

Purchase tickets and check out the artists’ websites.

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