Nomadic Wax Launches Global Arts Exchange Program

July 1, 2010 - PRLog -- WASHINGTON, DC -- Nomadic Wax has expanded its efforts in creating opportunities for cultural exchange and hip hop diplomacy with the Global Arts Exchange Program. In partnership with the DC Commission for the Arts and Humanities, Nomadic Wax will host two South African Artist Diplomats from July 15 – 30, 2010. The South African delegation will work with two DC artist delegates to create a performance piece which will be performed, recorded and filmed during the visit.  

The delegation from South Africa will consist of Emile YX and DJ Thee Angelo, two hip hop artist-activists from Cape Town’s Heal the Hood Hip Hop Youth Project. The duo will team with DC-based hip hop artists Kokayi and DJ RBI. Their performance piece will explore contemporary history of youth, politics and hip hop in both Cape Town and DC. DC-based b-boy Russel Campbell (Urban Artistry) will join the two sets of delegates as well. The first public event of the exchange will be a performance of this piece at Busboys & Poets on July 21st.  

The South African artists will also participate in a series of educational events in the DC area. These events will allow the foreign and local artists to share experiences in working with youth from diverse communities. Nomadic Wax will screen Emile YX’s “From B-Boys to Being Men”, a documentary film about how hip hop is being used for social development and community empowerment in South Africa tracing back to the pioneering b-boys of the 1980s. The film will be screened at Sankofa.  

The South African artists will be part of a panel discussion on July 22nd entitled “The Challenges of Hip Hop Organizing Around the World” moderated by Fred Joiner and including hip hop artists from Cuba, Senegal and Uganda. Co-produced by Asho Productions, the panel will be part of a fundraiser for Emile’s Heal the Hood Foundation held at Hillyer Art Space in Washington DC.    

Throughout their visit, the South African artists will be meeting with NGOs and think-tanks based in DC. In this capacity, the SA Artists serve as active diplomats to urban youth culture and issues surrounding peace-building, human rights, youth empowerment and hip hop culture.  

The Global Arts Exchange Program is sponsored by Nomadic Wax, DC Commission for the Arts & Humanities, MageeFilms, Heal the Hood, Black Noise, Busboys & Poets, Sankofa Bookstore, Bloom Bars, Hillyer Art Space, DCrap, One VS. Many, World Hip Hop Market, Fusicology, ASHO Productions, Sol Productions, Urban Artistry, Africa Action and V.O.I.C.E.S.  

For interviews, media inquiries, or for to include the South African artists in your educational programming or meet with them during their stay, please contact Nomadic Wax via Magee McIlvane at (301) 467-6406 or magee@nomadicwax.com., or Ben Herson at (917) 225-8472 or ben@nomadicwax.com.  

About Nomadic Wax – Nomadic Wax is a fair-trade international record label and production company dedicated to producing and promoting global urban music and media. For more information visit: www.nomadicwax.com/exchange2010.

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About Nomadic Wax: Nomadic Wax is a fair-trade international record label and production company dedicated to producing and promoting global urban music and media. For more information visit: www.nomadicwax.com.