Got Next: Wax Reform

By: Ian Flores

As a fan of both mainstream and underground hip-hop, I have grown tired of pointless beefs and low quality releases. Gone are the days when legends like Dre and Nas could smash a track with West Coast funk and East Coast swagger. That is, until now.

Enter: The Wax Reform. Based out of Canoga Park, California, this coalition has got a little something for everyone. Boasting the talents of five producers Dminor (California), M-Phazes (Australia), Muneshine (Canada), Presto (The Netherlands), Illmind (New Jersey) and emcee Emilio Rojas a.k.a Raks One (New York), the group brings a unique punch with a universal feel.

Though I only recently discovered The Wax Reform, they've been doin' it big on the hip hop scene for some time now. The crew has collaborated with the likes of LL Cool J, Pete Rock, 50 Cent & G-Unit, DJ Spinna, Boot Camp Clik, D.I.T.C., Dead Prez, Little Brother, Pharoahe Monch, MF Grimm and Louis Logic. While TWR is no stranger to the mainstream exposure, they tend to be at their creative peaks on their indie albums.

TWR continues to stay busy in the booth and on the boards. Emcee/Producer Muneshine has already legitimized his career with two solid LP's Opportunity Knocks (2005) and the recent instrumental album A Walk in the Park from (2007). His next solo entitled Status Symbol will likely be another notch in his belt from what I've heard so far.

Not to be outdone, M-Phazes, Illmind, and Dminor have barely slept in the last five years. In fact, you may have noticed Illmind's frequent presence on Little Brother's last LP The Getback. I don't know a whole lot about Presto other than that he is one of the most popular DJ's in Holland, along with his comrade Nicolay. Lending production and guest verses to each other's albums has proved to be the focal point that makes TWR, in my opinion, the greatest collection of production talent in hip-hop today--mainstream or underground.

Making good music, without compromise.

The TWR "mission statement," if you will, is simple and in this case, truthful. To this day, I have yet to be disappointed by a TWR release. They have managed to avoid the beefs, label disputes, and money quarrels to concentrate on what we all want--DOPE MUSIC. What has corralled me in as a fan is the group's sheer versatility. I have really come to expect the unexpected from this group. Oftentimes, the albums take me in a whole different direction from what I was expecting; In the end I am no less satisfied. Their commitment to quality hip-hop, without compromise, has allowed them to drop dope music for over five years. Producers, emcees-- get to the back of the line cause they--

GOT NEXT.