Mo'Wax: Urban Archaeology: 21 Years of Mo'Wax Recordings

2014 | Business & Finance

Founded in England in 1993 by the young DJ and promoter James Lavelle, the record label Mo'Wax would become an icon of independent music, a pioneer of new genres, and the epicenter of a movement in popular culture. A strong countercultural and international identity informed every aspect of Mo'Wax's output, from its roster of groundbreaking musicians to the artists and designers responsible for the album covers, music videos, and packaging. Artwork on vinyl and CD sleeves by the graffiti legends Futura 2000 and Stash, the designer Ben Drury, and Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja became icons of its library. Records on Mo'Wax brought together artists from America, France, and Japan with indie and rock artists from the UK (often under the moniker of Lavelle's own collective, Unkle). The label's list of musicians included DJ Shadow, DJ Krush, Nigo (of A Bathing Ape), the Beastie Boys, Thom Yorke of Radiohead, Ian Brown of the Stone Roses, and Richard Ashcroft of The Verve, among many others. And beyond music, Mo'Wax also pioneered the concept of collaboration between music culture and high-end brands.

Mo'Wax have collaborated on unique products with Nike, Medicom, and A Bathing Ape, among others, on products ranging from vinyl toys to collectible sneakers. True to the label's legacy, this book is a carefully designed and beautifully produced object. With contributions from many of the seminal musicians Urban Archaeology represents and the artists responsible for its enduring aesthetic, Mo'Wax is more than a celebration of a record label: it's the record of a focal point in contemporary music, style, and culture.

James Lavelle (Author)