Waxin’ Poetic

Who says white boys can’t rap?

Not Wax’s YouTube fans.

Michael Jones, better known as “Wax,” began his career as an emcee on the star spawner website, YouTube. His popularity mushroomed and at one point ,Wax’s subscriber fan base grew four figures per day.

After his successful accreditation of freestyle and songwriting skills Wax dropped a couple albums independently. He collaborated with a couple rappers and producer EOM (Elements of Music) for these records that eventually grabbed the attention of Def Jam Recording. His debut album from the label is still in the works, but the recent single “Two Wheels” will tease listeners for its release date.

The epitome of his white boy charm peaks in the first verse after a chorus intro. The song is about Wax on his way to the studio, atop his two-wheeler. Along the way he stops. His justification is, “I make a quick pit stop on the corner / to pet a little dog and chat with its owner.” Cute.

Wax is victim to the Def Jam freshmen hazing and music business wisdom of “pigeon hole the new guy.” What tends to be the case with newcomer acts is that once they sign to a major label they are urged to choose their demographic accordingly. The white rapper seems to have picked the goofy white party guy routine in “Two Wheels.”

The chorus, well crafted and catchy, is most likely to be embraced in a beer pong playlist at a small time university or junior college. Wax’s, “Oh yeah, oh my, my / I’m ’a keep drinkin’ till the day I die / two wheels is the way I ride,” illustrates a grown man on his bicycle without a care in the world unless his “couple tall cans / Coors and Bud Light” run out. He alludes without sign of remorse that he’s been stripped of his license due to DUI’s. Apparently Wax is perfectly content to be sentenced to his bike.

Wax’s Internet accomplishment is no fluke though. His lyrics are incredibly clever and witty with an equal amount of charisma and initiative. This track is by no means a comprehensive look at the skill he possesses.

Def Jam’s choice of “Two Wheels” as the first single released under the label is a little strange, or at least ironic. A considerable portion of Wax’s fans came from the “New Crack” video, where Wax is scene driving his car while rapping over his stereo. Its hard to go from a classic hip hop song like “New Crack” to hear him sing about the joys of his bike.