Introducing: Wax 'N' Lyrical
Here at NICC we fully support any new and innovative creative ventures and Wax n' Lyrical is certainly that. Pushing all manner of vocally lead genres with a focus on hip hop, Wax 'N' Lyrical are set for a bright future. We caught up with them last week to find out more...
Wax ‘N’ Lyrical is Louis Cypher (1st Blood/Hey Zeus), Parisa (Origin One/Acoustickle) and Rob Threeman (NG64/Sola).
NICC: How did Wax N' Lyrical come about and how long have you been running for?
The concept behind WNL originated from a conversation between Parisa and Louis wanting to put certain hip-hop artists on in the city, and realising there was no outlet to do it from. We put the first night together with the notion of providing a platform for local artists to play alongside more established acts from across the country. For the first night in March 2012, Emcee Killa (previously signed to Notts label Dealmaker), and his new group Caxton Press were on the same bill as local legend Karizma performing with live outfit Our Helical Mind. Alongside Kount Masloff and DJ Kalutski, this eclectic line-up was a demonstration of the new and older having an equal footing in UK hip-hop despite style.
The second gig went deeper still with live MPC from Bristol’s Simiah and London band Granville Sessions with up and coming Nottingham artists Juga-Naut, Vandal Savage, El Negro Loco Nay and Nads Buhdha. The whole night culminated in a mass cypher between booked artists, emcees in the audience and Simiah providing live production, bringing back the old-school spirit of collaboration. Since then we have been approached by Get Nottz to host Roach’s leaving party, which bought together Lee Ramsay, P Brothers, Ms Tempz and Joe Buhdha under the same roof.
NICC: What were you your main inspiration for putting on the night?
Although Nottingham is renowned nationally for its vibrant hip-hop scene, no nights were being promoted with the sole idea of pushing hip-hop culture in Notts. Our aim was to unite the community, and encourage what has always been within Notts to come back out of its shell. There’s room for innovation between different heads across the hip-hop spectrum here.
NICC: Your main musical policy is hip hop which is a genre that has struggled in Nottingham's nightlife over the past few years, what state do you feel the local scene is in at the moment?
The renaissance of careful writing, slick production and live instrumentation has inspired a whole new generation of artists and gig-goers. The roots of the scene are there. We want to give newer artists a place alongside more established acts and bring acts who are well-known outside of Nottingham into our growing family tree. A lot of people live by hip-hop, but in separate places. Joe Buhdah, Big Trev, Dealmaker, Elementz, P Brothers, Out da Ville and Cappo for instance set the precedent, and now to continue the legacy we are shining the light back on what this city’s capable of.
NICC: What advice would you give to any young promoters who are thinking about putting on an event?
Get in it because you want to see something yourself, not to make a raise. Collaborate with others, include them in your ideas and pay someone to make your posters. Be creative with your line-ups and don’t be scared of competition, just grow.
What have you got planned for the future?
Lots of audio-visual elements brought in, some gig swaps with different cities and maybe countries. From Glasgow to Bristol we’re going to bring conscious emcees, dope producers and pioneering musicians to Nottingham, and continue commissioning local artists, garm makers, photographers and videographers to work with us.
More info here: Wax 'N' Lyrical
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