Deltron 3030

Deltron 3030

Deltron 3030 is an alternative hip-hop collective comprising producer Dan the Automator (as Captain Aptos), rapper Del the Funky Homosapien (as Deltron Zero/Deltron Osiris), and DJ Kid Koala (as Skiznod the Boy Wonder). The group often collaborates with other musicians, adopting various futuristic pseudonyms.

Debut Album: Deltron 3030

Their self-titled debut album, released on May 23, 2000, is a concept album set in the year 3030. It explores the conflict between fatalism, righteousness, and malevolence through the narrative of a warrior named Deltron-Zero and his ally, the time-traveling cyborg wizard "the Automator." They confront megalithic corporations that dominate their universe. The lyrics, written in under two weeks, are rich with Afrofuturist themes, drawing inspiration from artists like Sun Ra and George Clinton. Many samples on the album were sourced from the French classical composer William Sheller.

Event 2 and Subsequent Releases

The group's second album, Event 2, was released in September 2013, following a lengthy production process that began around 2004. The album's development was marked by several anticipated release dates, with the group members issuing updates over the years. A significant preview of Event 2 occurred on June 11, 2012, at the Luminato festival in Toronto, where the group, accompanied by a full orchestra, premiered ten new songs and revealed the album's visual direction. The first single from the album was "City Rising From the Ashes." The album was made available for streaming on Pitchfork's Advance service a week before its official release on September 23, 2013.

In October 2016, an expanded edition of Event 2 was released, including instrumental versions of the tracks. Concurrently, a live album titled Live was released, featuring Deltron 3030, collaborators from Event 2, and the 3030 Orchestra.

In 2018, Dan the Automator confirmed that work was underway on a new Deltron 3030 album, mentioning that some songs were already in existence and hinting at a potential cameo from Dr. Octagon.