Esoteric & Stu Bangas

Starting out in Boston, Esoteric teamed up with 7L, a DJ and Producer, playing in the Boston and Cambridge underground. They released their first single in 1996, paying homage to Marvel Comics. The attention led them to release "Rebel Alliance" LP with songs like "Protocol" and "Be Alert" which received significant radio plays. URB Magazine even chose 7L & Esoteric for their "Next 100" issue in 1997. The duo then dropped "Def Rhymes" which was featured on the EP "Speaking Real Words" which featured Wu-Tang Clan Member Inspectah Deck. While promoting the album in Philadelphia, he formed the super group, Army of Pharaohs. Esoteric then appeared three times on Jedi Mind Tricks breakthrough album "Violent By Design". Esoteric teamed again with 7L and Inspectah Deck to release Czarface LP before announcing that he would release another album in the same year called "Machete Mode" with Stu Bangas as the producer.

Stu Bangas has produced for the likes of Sean Price, Vinnie Paz, Heltah Skeltah, Esoteric, Blaq Poet, Chino XL, Apathy, Cappadonna and many more. Released an album with Reef the Lost Cauze called "Fight Music" then made an album with Vanderslice called "Diggas With Attitude".

Esoteric and Stu Bangas have teamed up to make one of the most brutal albums of the year. Both working in the cold New England climate, the cold weather influenced the feel of the tracks on "Machete Mode". Adding to the lyricism of the album, they reached out to Vinnie Paz, Madchild, Joell Oritz, Ill Bill, Celph Titled and Apathy. This album is a sharp follow up to "Czarface" and will have staying power with diehard fans.