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There are many planes of consciousness, but in the one that we call the here and the now, The Difference Machine are a psychedelic hip-hop group from Atlanta, Georgia. Since 2011, they’ve been at the vanguard of the city’s underground scene, creating gritty, mind-expanding anthems that explore the unifying lines between conscious rap and abstract soundscapes, the dividing wall between the blood-stained realities of twenty-first century urban America and the sublime mysticism of an opaque universe. The group’s latest sonic attack, The 4th Side of the Eternal Triangle, bumps and soars, breathing additional fire and compositional daring into their already formidable style. Your guide on this stark metaphysical journey is rapper Dustin Teague whose scathing cultural surveys and dimensional truths help give shape to producer Dr. Conspiracy’s warped beats and nuclear mystical trash alchemy. Rounding out the group’s songwriting core is longtime drummer Radley Fricker and DJ Obeah who handles most of the cuts on the record. Meanwhile, Cyrus Shahmir, formerly of psych rock cosmonauts the N.E.C., was recruited to conjure his hallucinogenic atmospheres and shamanistic vibes on guitar and keys. The result of this collaborative effort is a more expansive sound architecture layered in primal energy and head-swimming celestial sophistication. Having spent the last few years smashing stages all over the U.S. alongside Run the Jewels, Homeboy Sandman, Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge, Deltron 3030, Shabazz Palaces, Chuck D, and fellow Atlanta rebel rousers the Black Lips, the Difference Machine find themselves well-prepared — mentally, emotionally, spiritually — for this moment. Boasting a dozen genre-bending tracks and a string of guests that includes Homeboy Sandman, Curtis Harding, Stacy Epps, and Paten Locke, this is undoubtedly the group’s defining work to date. Both visceral and cerebral, the album is as much a clenched fist to those who would practice hate and intolerance as it is an outstretched hand to those willing to embrace our universal connectedness and the power of the transcendental. In a music culture dominated and defined by an ever-uniforming sameness, The Difference Machine remains a middle finger to the demons of comfort and complacency. This is the stuff of dreams and nightmares, a dynamic and evolutive vibration drifting through the abyss of space. There are many planes of consciousness, but few that feel this urgent and profoundly radiant. Listen with care.

Afrofuturist/Steamfunk band with a sound of it’s own and an explosive live performance. Members include Sum, Sir Ian Dangerous, Sno Leopard (a two woman performance duo), DJ Jawa, Mat Mega & Taurus Hamilton. We are truly hip-hop, but we nod and pay homage to many sounds…funk, electronic, soul, world rhythms, ska, afrobeat, tribal music, classic rock, punk, surf rock, and whatever else we feel like doing in the moment. We are students of new music AND the great musical legacy that precedes us. It all comes together in a milky way. We have shared stages with greats like The Pharcyde, Arrested Development, Dwele, Ursula Rucker, Twilite Tone and a great number of respected local artists in Los Angeles, like Jimetta Rose, and 14KT. We have spearheaded our own events and residencies around the Greater Los Angeles area, most recently launching the STEAMFUNK party series. The Milky Way has been featured in major Toyota print ads and has had music highlighted in a viral Hennessy campaign with Shaquille O’Neal. While we are always looking for opportunities, we are just as capable of creating our own and love producing and hosting our own events that feature other up and coming artists we respect. The band, founded in 2007, is fronted and led by dynamic songsmith and accomplished rapper SUM, a 2014 Independent Music Awards Nominee with music appearing everywhere from Breaking Bad and Saints Row, to a number of network television shows.

Illustrious list of Milky Way alumni include P.U.D.G.E, Computer Jay, Cee Brown, Jesse “Xro” Pinkney and Mario “X-Man” Prins.

Yamin Semali is a well-rounded Hiphop artist from East Point, GA. Born in Raleigh, NC, he has produced for and/or featured lyricism with the likes of Count Bass D, Kurupt of the Dogg Pound, Binkis Recs, Cunninlyguists, D.R.U.G.S. Beats, Boog Brown, Ken Starr, Headkrak, Arablak, Stacy Epps, Eddie Meeks, Broady Champs, Cannibal Ox, Chyle MC, Ozy Reigns, Sum Majere, Malkovich, Kam Moye (Supastition), J-Live, Joe D (God’silla) and more.

Based in Boston, Raised in Los Angeles & engaged in the growing Hip Hop scene in Atlanta in the early 2000’s Pheonix’s mission and work reflects the spirit of anti-colonial movements seeking truth, justice and unity for the human family. Pheonix is currently is a performing and regionally touring artist.

P.U.D.G.E. started out DJing in the mid 90′s in his hometown of Jamaica, Queens. Studying local DJ legends and Jamaican Sound Systems, all the while honing his skills in the “blend-tape” era, he focused on perfecting the art of live “blends” and remixes. After graduating SJU in NY, he relocated to Los Angeles in 04′ to jump-start his musical career. There, he acted as tour DJ for L.A. Hip-Hop legends Fat Lip (Pharcyde) and Myka Nyne (Freestyle Fellowship). He has worked with and performed alongside famed LA Beatsmiths Flying Lotus, Computer Jay, Dibiase, and Ras G. He has also released various instrumental projects as part of the then burgeoning LA “Beat Scene.” His release, “Idiot Box” (Ramp Recordings) along with a feature on the All City LA series 10 x 10 series, were both released in 2010.
P.U.D.G.E has had the honor of showcasing his unique DJ style and passion for music to world-famous parties and venues. Hue has performed at Do-Over (LA), Bodega (LA), Low-End Theory (LA), and various UK/EU festivals and nightclubs. He also performed in various performance spaces, Art Galleries, and pop-up parties in NY.
Currently, P.U.D.G.E is a resident DJ and one of the founders of a monthly event called “EyeSpy” in Brooklyn. His DJ and Production sets draw from a broad range of influences; you can catch him spinning anything from Reggae to Rock, Hip-Hop, and Afrobeat, back to Jazz and Funk. P.U.D.G.E. continues to drop independent remixes and Beat projects via pudge222.bandcamp.com. He is often seen having a great time playing music for the masses.
Keep a look out for his forthcoming Solo LP, as well as projects by collaborators Eagle Nebula(LA), Voice Monet(NoLa), & Malkovich Music.