World famous DJ Babu (Beat Junkies/Dilated Peoples/Likwit Junkies) and wordsmith Rakaa aka Iriscience (Dilated Peoples/Rock Steady Crew/Zulu Nation) have combined forces to form Expansion Team Soundsystem; a classic yet progressive Party Rocking duo. Inspired by the essence of classic Hip-Hop culture, the duo looks to break away from the rigid boundaries often imposed by the music industry. “Babu and I were on stage before we were making records so we know what were doing” states Rakaa. “We’re having fun and business is good outside of the lines.”
Expansion Team Soundsystem formed in the summer of 2004 out of a true love to move crowds around the world, and with the desire to maintain the tradition of DJs and MCs that began before rap concerts. Beginning as solo DJing gigs for Babu, they soon included Rakaa as the master of ceremonies; keeping the pace and accenting sets with rhymes. Combining key elements from party DJing, turntablism, lyricism, club hosting and dancehall spices, they created an awe-inspiring, one-of-a-kind Hip-Hop rocking experience. “ETS is something that developed naturally with Rakaa on the mic, me on the turntables, and us just rocking a party together and having fun” says Babu. “We really try to keep it spontaneous and connect with the crowd.”
Rakaa and Babu (along with emcee/producer Evidence) have established themselves in the Hip-Hop world with four successful albums as the critically acclaimed group Dilated Peoples. Collectively they have countless number of collaborations with everyone from DJ Premier to Kanye West to dancehall don Capleton. They’ve toured the world incessantly since the late 90s and manage to straddle the fine line between the underground and mainstream with ease. “DP is one of the few groups out right now that has been able to appeal across musical boundaries without sacrificing their artistic integrity” says long time friend and ABB president Beni B.
After successful tours in Europe and the Pacific Rim in 2005, and a legendary follow up European tour and a number of classic U.S. spot dates in 2006, ETS is set to blaze again this Spring with a return trip to Australia and New Zealand, and the release of “Volume 3” of the highly acclaimed “World On Wheels” mixtape series. Expansion Team Soundsystem… Worldwide from the Wild Wild West!
