Nightmares on Wax

With a legacy spanning over three decades, George Evelyn—better known as Nightmares on Wax—has continually redefined the possibilities of sound. From the sample-rich days of Smokers Delight to the introspective and transformative journey of Shout Out! To Freedom, he’s created a body of work that isn’t just about music, but emotional resonance, culture, and evolution. Growing up deep in the sound system culture of Leeds, George dropped a fiver, courtesy of his mum, on a battered old speaker box he dubbed “Echo45”. Turns out that box would link him up with Kevin Harper, one of the founding members of N.O.W., a chance meeting that, without it, might have changed the course of his life entirely. With Echo45, N.O.W takes that lineage a step further—a mixtape that feels like both a celebration and a declaration. And it's more than a compilation—it’s a living, breathing sound system experience that merges soul, roots, hip-hop, dub, and electronic textures with fearless spirit. Featuring a carefully curated ensemble of collaborators—including Yasiin Bey, Greentea Peng, Sadie Walker, Liam Bailey, and more—the record doesn’t just reflect where Nightmares on Wax has been. It boldly announces where he’s going.