Michael Wong Photography

In 1985, DJ Marley Marl was working in his studio that doubled as his sister Belle’s second-floor apartment in the Queensbridge Houses—a sprawling ninety-six-building project, a small city of some thirty thousand residents in Long Island City, Queens. The apartment was sparsely decorated with a creaky couch that Eric B. slept on, reel-to-reels against the wall, records from floor to ceiling, and a drum machine that Marley slept with because he didn’t want anyone to touch it. read more »

In celebration of our first ever Africa Issue, we’re dishing out three pairs of tickets to the funkiest party in New York, FELA! on Broadway. This time you’ve got a week to get your answers in.

Q: In 1974, police attempted to plant a cannabis joint on Fela, which he swallowed. The police took him into custody while waiting to examine his feces, but by substituting his dung with some from a fellow inmate, he was freed. What was the name of the song that Fela subsequently wrote regarding this incident? (Hint: the answer can be found on felaonbroadway.com)

Email your answers to contest@waxpoetics.com. Three winners will be chosen at random.

Wax Poetics partnered with Rockstar Games to create a series of short films showcasing the new mobile studio/beatmaker for the PSP, Beaterator.

Original music by Chin Chin made with Rockstar’s Beaterator.

If you are not a Wax Poetics subscriber*, you’ve been missing out on our Converse 45 Series!

*Offer available to US subscribers while promotion lasts.

As many of you already know, Fela! has been on Broadway for a couple of months now. But while some  may be questioning whether or not it truly delivers, we can firmly cosign this production as the real deal. Like many others who aren’t theater heads, we weren’t sure what to expect either, but once those horns start blowing, it quickly becomes obvious that this isn’t your typical Broadway show. The show is more of an experience, like spending a night at the Shrine while Fela was in top form. Antibalas lays down the grooves and actor Sahr Ngaujah delivers a top-notch performance as Fela that will have you out of your seat and thinking you were in Nigeria back in the ’70s.

The great Porter Records brings us the Free Track of the Week from the funky Sounds of Liberation. Look for their full-length album coming February 16 to Wax Poetics Digital.

Wax Poetics partnered with Rockstar Games to create a series of short films showcasing the new mobile studio/beatmaker for the PSP, Beaterator.

Original music by Spree Wilson made with Rockstar’s Beaterator.

Courtesy of Knitting Factory Records

You can hear the sonic ripples of Fela Kuti’s legacy anywhere in the world. But to appreciate the explosive power of the man as a musician, a bandleader, and a booming voice for social justice, the tale becomes a Nigerian story, an African story. Rikki Stein was Fela’s manager and close friend, a veteran of management and event production, and the author of Fela’s obituary, but equally able to articulate the future promise of the music. Just getting that music heard could be a challenge, requiring everything from face-offs with police to DIY PA systems. read more »