Filmmakers and Producers

Ben Herson

Ben Herson is the founder and director of Nomadic Wax – a global hip-hop record label and production company dedicated to record, documenting and presenting hip-hop and underground music from around the world. Herson is also an internationally celebrated producer and musician. He has released over a dozen globally acclaimed albums and recorded/produced numerous singles on compilations world wide. Herson has also played the drums and percussion for reggae legends Yabby U, Sugar Minott, and Glen Brown among others. While studying West African drumming in Senegal, Herson discovered a vibrant hip-hop scene in Dakar, Senegal. Enthralled by the political and social message of the groups’ lyrics, Herson began producing for Senegal’s top MCs c-founding and spearheading the critically acclaimed African Underground series of African Hip-Hop. In 2004, Herson also co-founded the Trinity International Hip-Hop festival, the first free international hiphop festival in the United States. In 2007, building upon his work in Senegal, Herson developed a seven-part documentary series on youth, hip-hop, and politics in West Africa titled “African Underground: Democracy in Dakar.” The documentary was co-produced with Sol Productions and has been screened at colleges, universities, and film festivals across the United States.

AVAILABLE FROM TWN

Democracy in Dakar
Ben Herson, Magee McIlvaine & Chris Moore
Producer: Nomadic Wax and Sol Productions
2007, 66 min., Color, US/Senegal
"Democracy in Dakar" explores the transformative role of Hip-Hop in politics in Senegal, West Africa during the 2007 presidential election campaign. This documentary mixes interviews, freestyles, and commentary from journalists, artists and politicians. Senegalese society is seen on the brink of dem...


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