By definition, The Milky Way is a nine-piece band of beatsmiths, DJs, musicians and performers. In reality, they’re more like a ragtag gypsy clan that makes music together. Some in the band are cousins, others are fraternity brothers. There are college friends, play cousins, not-so-distant relatives and a married couple in the band. Some of them are photographers and screenwriters, others are parents or music industry professionals. Somewhere in all that shared history and creative chemistry is The Milky Way’s formula for cosmic funk that has been compared to Parliament, Outkast and Radiohead all in the same breath.
The Los Angeles based outfit was formed by MC/songsmith Sum in 2008 in response to his utter boredom with hip-hop artists and stage shows. He wanted to capture the live band spirit without the corny hip-hop band aftertaste that he had grown to despise. Pulling together a band from the cast of talented producers he called his family was the only answer. Enter X-Man (MPC), DJ Pudgemcee (bass keys), Computer Jay (keys) and Xro (synth), all formidable DJs and beatsmiths with their own followings. Later, Taurus Hamilton (guitar) and DJ Cee Brown (turntables) were added to fill the sound out. Vocabutrois & Lil Mis (background vocals/theatrics) were brought in to give a different twist on adlibs and stage performance, and The Milky Way was complete. Since inception, “The Milky Wayans” have performed with the likes of Dwele, Arrested Development and The Pharcyde at some of Los Angeles’ most historic and well-reputed venues.