Individually and collectively, M.A.K.U SoundSystem (M.A.K.U) has been searching for a musical voice, experimenting in jazz, rock, hip-hop, and folklore. After a year of trying to build M.A.K.U and delving into individual and cultural past, members simply came to accept themselves. M.A.K.U is an immigrant experience, a life style, the musical expression of who and what already exists.

M.A.K.U was born between the years 2009 and 2010. Most of its band members are Colombian immigrants who live in New York City. M.A.K.U is an extension of a strong movement of musicians in Colombia and the diaspora that are exploring the textures of traditional music, native instruments and fitting them into a diverse urban landscape.

M.A.K.U live presents an 8-musician ensemble in a show full of pure energy, digital imagery and explosive drumming taking the audience to far away gypsy lands, underground punk shows, and the Carribbean coast, “starting somewhere in the afro-colombian and ending in the jazz-punk stratosphere”.

In the short time span that M.A.K.U has been together the band has independently produced two albums: Vamos Bien(2010) and MAKUMBALA (2011).
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Vamos Bien(2010), M.A.K.U’s first album, fuses modern and traditional sounds and captures M.A.K.U’s original search and experimental core.
Quickly following Vamos Bien (2010), MAKUMBALA (2011) was recorded over bleeding mics and rolling tapes and released on 7’’ vinyl.
More than just popular cumbia rhythms, MAKUMBALA(2011) keeps true to its cultural heritage with catchy champeta rhythms, powerful beats from the African inspired alegre drum and bridges urbanism with guest artist I-Jah Bones who breaks down a serious reggae verse and with the bands newest addition, Felipe Quiroz on the synths, MAKUMBALA reves up each track with unorganic grooves.
Past concerts have been listed in prominent media outles such as the Village Voice, TimeOut NY, Remezcla NY and Chicago.
M.A.K.U has performed at universities, festivals and venues along the east coast including: Old Town School of Folk Music (Chicago, IL) Joe’s Pub, (NY,NY), BAMcafé Live, (Brooklyn, NY), Opening for Das Rascist at the Ole Club (Swarthmore, PA), Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival (Lincoln Center, NY, NY), Bennington College (Bennington, VT) to name a few. In the summer of 2011 M.A.K.U debuted in some of the hotest music venues in Bogota Colombia.
M.A.K.U is available to tour, open for other aritsts and perform at venues across the United States and abroad.