MWEX Mo Wax Excursions Discography

mwex01 - mwex10

The EX (Excursions) prefix was one of Mo' Wax's most ambitious and carefully conceived catalogue projects. Consisting of ten 12-inch singles, the series was divided equally between two distinct musical strands: five techno releases presented in green sleeves and five hip-hop releases presented in blue sleeves. The project reflected the label's increasingly broad musical outlook, demonstrating a commitment to exploring underground electronic music alongside the sample-based hip-hop sound with which Mo' Wax had become synonymous.

The Excursions series served as a showcase for the diverse influences that informed the label's identity during the mid-1990s. Rather than treating techno and hip-hop as separate cultures, the project highlighted the common creative ground shared by both genres, particularly their emphasis on innovation, DJ culture and independent production. In doing so, the series perfectly captured the eclectic spirit that defined Mo' Wax during its most influential period.

A unique feature of the series was its collectible format. The five techno releases and five hip-hop releases could each be housed in a dedicated limited-edition box, supplied with the third release in their respective sequences. This encouraged collectors to assemble complete sets while reinforcing the idea of the series as a curated body of work rather than a collection of individual records.

Both box sets featured removable, numbered paper obi strips, continuing a design tradition that had been an important part of the Mo' Wax visual identity since the label's earliest releases. Two distinct box designs were produced, making the complete Excursions series one of the most sought-after and visually impressive sections of the catalogue.

The artwork for the entire series was created by Futura 2000, whose influence on Mo' Wax's visual evolution was becoming increasingly significant at this time. His minimalist, futuristic and highly recognisable aesthetic provided a unifying visual language across both the techno and hip-hop releases, proving that a single artistic vision could successfully bridge multiple musical styles. The Excursions project stands as one of the clearest examples of Futura's ability to combine graphic design, packaging and music culture into a cohesive artistic statement.

Collectively, the EX series represents a landmark moment in the Mo' Wax discography. Through its innovative format, strong visual identity and genre-spanning musical scope, the Excursions project embodied many of the qualities that made the label unique: a willingness to challenge boundaries, a dedication to exceptional design, and a belief that records could function as collectible works of art as well as vehicles for music.