Wax Dey: NEWS/INFOS

The first play from Wax, “The Chosen One” by Nde Ndifonka, has been approved by the Department of Education in South Africa for use in schools nationwide. Guess that’s good news!

Wax visits Cameroon for four shows in November 06, and the United States for four shows in February 07, before stopping in France in March 07 to finalise distribution negotiations with partners. Details of the shows will be put up in the coming weeks.

Last weekend, Wax was detained for three hours at the Sunnyside police station, with a valid permit in his pocket, on charges of illegal immigration! Sometimes, we just don’t get it. It took the intervention of a senior Diplomat to secure a rushed release. It apparently did not help either, that Wax has served as a consultant on several occasions for the Department of Community Safety, on matters relating to illegal detentions and xenophobia. Phew!

It just rolled down a steep hill into a building, resting under several heavy pillars! Wethinks the handbrake failed. Oh, we’re talking about Wax’ BM. Last Sunday.

Hey guys, I turn 25 on Tueday 9 May 2006. Another opportunity to say thanks to everyone who's been a part of my life.. I've received some really amazing gifts so far, including a Sharp GX 25 (Ferrari edition) from Nosipho in Johannesburg (I guess it finally paid off that I reported losing my phone here), and a pair of Nikes from Knight Of WOUNDED fame...huh, I feel so spoilt and so old! So I guess I have to give something back. Actually, I came up with a plan...if you clicked on BUY and bought me a gift (my CD at a new discounted rate), you get to keep the copy. Imagine that. PLUS, you I'm personally compiling the info on all those who purchase from the site during my Bday week, and they could get to try on my exclusive new fashion gear, ENDE, free, free FREE!!! And the grand party happens on Saturday through Sunday in Arcadia - 2 days NON-STOP!

Wax's new CD project is called Journey Home, with good reason. It is indeed a journey home, sourcing music from Cameroon to satisfy an international audience. The CD “Ali gets his arms” was distinct because it cut across cultures, races and generations.

“ ‘Journey Home’ will have the same effect, but now the whole basis is Cameroonian rhythm. If you’ve heard of makossa, bikoutsi, bottle dance, then you know Cameroon’s got unmatched vibe and rhythm. I’m tapping from that, and I’m so excited because it is proving to be the most rewarding experience ever. I’m unlike anyone else, I’m Wax, and I’m going back home to reinvent Wax, churn out something new for for the world.”

Even the musicians on the project are handpicked from Cameroon, although Journey Home is currently being recorded in South Africa.

“To do this, I need the right kind of people, so I’ve got some of the finest instrumentalists from Cameroon to come over for this project. And diverse too, because they come from different areas with different cultural touches. This is the most exciting thing I’ve ever done, and I’m really looking forward to the product. We’ve already performed some of the material, and people are literally crazy about it. I’ve had several fans screaming they can’t wait – well, neither can I.”

However, other international artists like Mozambique’s Richard Nwamba and Zimbabwe’s George Ibiza, will add flavour to the CD.

“Journey Home” is expected to culminate in a journey home for Wax in June this year, when Cameroonian fans will be honoured with its first release.

On Tuesday 21 March, Wax is guest on TV show, O-BAMA, on Channel O, at 3pm (2pmCameroon, 1pmGMT). Don't miss this live interview which will feature an unplugged performance. And did you know, you can send smses of suport, love, da da da, to +27 83 920 8400, and they can appear live on O during the show!!!!

On Monday, 27 March 2003, you can also watch the Wax band performing live on SABC 2’s Afro-café, at 10pm (9pmCameroon, 8pmGMT). A must see!

This week’s shout out goes to everyone at STV (y’all are doing a great job changing the face of TV in Cameroon). You’re the BEST, and we appreciate all your love and support!!! We love you, Really!

It’s getting to EASTER, and there’s good news to go with! Click on BUY, and get that special EASTER GIFT. It’s already discounted, but you get a further discount for each extra copy, so that you can get as many as you have gifts to buy. And remember for every copy you buy, a donation goes to the Ali Fund for the Limbless Association, which helps kids like Ali Abbas, who lost their limbs in war. There could never be a better cause for Easter celebrations. So do the right thing this Easter. And remember, WE LOVE YOU, REALLY!!!

Wax is taking his campaign into the black South African townships, in a bid to consolidate his followership among a new emerging audience. “My audience so far has been quite white or city-based, predictably because of the pop/urban influence. But the rudiments are unmistakable African, continentally African. I share a Bantu heritage with many South Africans, and this I have found, makes them connect instantly with my music. Even the similarities in the language are evident.”

So Wax is heeding to the call of his growing base of new fans, and this time he is taking it home. “The locations feel like home to me, I grew up in a place in Cameroon that looks just like Soweto. I recall driving through Daveyton on New Year’s day, and it was so nostalgic, because for the first time in all my travels, I felt physically and emotionally at home, the way it felt on New Year. But I am glad above all, that the people connect with my music much in the same way that Cameroonians in their own townships do. I feel privileged to be accepted.”

This move will see Wax performing regularly in black townships in the coming weeks, having already had interviews in some community radio stations. Venues like Capprivi have already booked to have Wax as a regular feature in Thembisa, following massive responses to his music on the VOT airwaves.

This forms part of a bigger campaign that comes ahead of Wax second CD, currently being recorded. The campaign will also see Wax intensify TV, radio and press appearances, including an upcoming performance on SABC 2’s Afro Café and an interview in the next issue of Roots Magazine.

This week’s SHOUT OUT! goes to Jun Sato, in Tokyo, Japan. For loving and supporting the music. We love you. Really!

A few weeks short of the official launch of the play The Chosen One, by Wax (under real name, Nde Ndifonka), the publishers have commissioned a second book, this time a novel.

Managing Director of Ditlou Publishers, Monyamane Shai, commented that Wax has a “rare writing talent that the world should read more”, following positive criticisms of the play. The Chosen One uses folkloric allegories in poetry form, to deviate from the narrative that blames colonialism and neo-colonialism for Africa’s problems. It examines the role of African laymen and elite in the creation of Africa’s crises, and suggests a model of self-transformation needed to ensure a true African renaissance.

As with Wax’ musical works, The Chosen One will be launched in South Africa (March) and Cameroon (June). Meanwhile, Wax will receive an undisclosed advance from Ditlou Publishers to commence work on his first novel. Ditlou Publishers approached Wax in early 2005 after reading some of his short stories released by other publishers.

When Wax first wrote the award-winning song, Faraway Child, it came with a short story of the same title, that was also later published by Qace.

The Chosen One will be available soon on this website.

After two shows in Maputo Mozambique, Wax returns for his first performance in South Africa in 2006 at Cantare Supper Club, in Monte Casino, Fourways, Johannesburg, on Thursday 16th Feb. 8 pm.

To spice things up a bit, five persons will receive VIP access cards that come with FREE WAX HAMPERS and lots of surprise goodies inside. All you need to do is to send an email to wax@waxexperience.com, containing the title of your favourite Wax song, and present yourself at Cantare in Monte Casino by 8pm on that day.

For reservations, (011) 511-0505, www.cantare.co.za See you there!

This week's shout-out goes to Gregoire Mayer of Pairs, France, who's love and support for the music has been invaluable! WE LOVE YOU, REALLY!
(Greg is one of Paris' hunky and most eligible bachelors)

There’s more than a new look to the Wax website…there’s also a new shopping cart to cater for buyers in South Africa and Cameroon. We have received a lot of correspondences regarding this, and as promised, we’re delivering a direct response!

We know how tough these shipping costs are, and it’s never quite pleasant to buy in dollars. So the new shopping cart (available by clicking on the BUY link of this site) will allow buyers in Africa to buy in dicounted Rands (ZAR) prices. Buyers in Cameroon and South Africa will not have to pay any international shipping costs.

So you go, get your copy now!

A hoodlum broke into Wax’s Arcadia apartment Pretoria on Tuesday 8 Feb, early morning and made away with some precious items, including cellphones and cash. All while our tired artist was asleep, having spent the evening at a dinner with some friends from abroad! In the morning, there were a pair of old boots on the stairs. Police dismissed this as likely unrelated to the crime scene. But on Friday evening, Wax could not find his favourite sneakers when dressing up for a boys’ night out! So the puzzle is solved…the burglar would certainly have looked much cuter going out than coming in.

It was a clean job, and the rogue definitely took his time to go through stuff. Fortunately, studio equipment and musical instruments were respectfully left untouched! And if the rogue did take an inventory apartment contents in preparation for a future visit, he will meet newly installed burglar bars across windows and glass walls. And don’t we all think it’s about time the insurer got his cut of these royalties?

The Olimit team wish to extend their heartfelt sympathy to the family and all other friends of Scott. Scott was bright young man, a good friend, and Wax' senior prefect at the famous Sacred Heart College in Cameroon.
www.rememberscott.org

After two ecclectic and electrifying shows WAX returns on Friday 16 December, to the world famous BLUESROOM (Village Walk, Sandton), 8:00pm, with the Banger. Featuring the sexy quartet, Electro-muse. For the first time, Wax will perform new songs to be released on his much anticipated next CD, Journey Home. So get drinking, dansing and personal with the Wax band: Mad Frank on bass, Malcolm on piano, Linden on Drums, Femi Jazz on Sax, percussions and backing vocals, Rendani on muted guitar, backing vocals and percussions, and Wax on lead vocals and guitar. It's going to be the hell of a party! There will be Wax t-shirt giveaways and lots of autographs. C U at da BLUESROOM!!!!!!!!Link: www.bluesroom.co.za

For those who tuned in to catch the Wax interview on SAfm, Sat. 12 Nov., and for those who couldn't, here are the winners of the Safm WAX CD competition.
The question was: where was Wax born?
The following wonderful people have won themselves an autographed Wax CD, simply by being the first to send us the answer: CAMEROON! Please furnish a preferred mailing address to receive your Wax CD, entitled “Ali Gets His Arms” – and ENJOY!!!

1. Gerald Adams, Cape Town
2. Bafana Ndebele, Kimberly
3. M J Rasheane
4. Dan Nkosi, Ngodwana
5. Joe Mukwala, Botswana
6. Ms. C. Broughton, Grassy Park
7. Bongani Ngubane
8. Theresa Calver, Durban
9. Michelle Nel

This Saturday, 12 November, Wax is special guest on the radio show 'African Connection" on SAfm with Richard Nwamba, 13:00 - 15:00 (GMT +2 hours). You can listen to the show online: www.safm.co.za
Tune in and stand a chance to win yourself a copy of the album: Ali gets his arms.

The Cameroonian prodigy will discuss Cameroonian music, culture, and share with the South African audience some inspirational Cameroonian songs and rhythms.

Wax will discuss his tour of West Africa, his planned Asian tour, the recording of his next CD, as well as the four projects of Olimit Records for the year 2006.

DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND, Wax is back at the Bluesroom, Village Walk, Sandton, 9pm, on Wednesday, 16 Nov. The last time, the audience couldn;t stop dancing. This time, the show will be packed with even more thrill, jams and surprises - not forgetting the solo bit esp. for the ladies!

Also catch Wax, Friday 18 Nov. at Zwakallah, Pretoria, 8pm.

Just to prove how very special you are, Wax is putting your names pending RSVP on his personal invitation list. Meaning: no gate fee just for reading this, and being Wax' personal friend! That's how special you are!

It's official! 'Thursday' is a hit! and sales of the album 'Ali gets his arms' have heated up from a few hundreds in its first few months, to 25 000 units this month, spelling gold for English Cameroon's best musical export/South Africa's quickest growing international artist.

Thanks to all the dedicated DJs, promoters, fans and friends, in Cameroon, South Africa, Nigeria, US, and worldwide who have supported this young musician, CD by CD, to the top.

Wax goes into studio in December to beginning recording a second album -Dedicated to y'all!!!!!

Are you a young jazz band? Young male or female singer/instrumentlist? From Africa? If you are good, you could join the Olimit Crew on tour in Asia, all expenses paid, contract basis. Contact info@waxmusic.co.za NOW!
Tel: +27 82 400 8694 (South Africa).