Traxamillion

Shaking dreads and slapping car doors open and shut have become as synonymous with the Bay Area's hyphy rap phenomenon in California as much as San Jose artist Traxamillion became one of its main signature producers. Mirroring Lil Jon's helm of Southern crunk, Traxamillion began receiving his overdue credits after producing the Keak da Sneak breakout hit "Superhyphy," which is considered by many to be the ultimate hyphy track. The Bay Area native first began to develop his production technique as a part of a couple of hip-hop groups during middle and high school. He roamed the L.A. underground scene, performing next to artists like Aceyalone, Volume 10, and Abstract Rude. When hyphy began to surface on a national level in the mid-2000s, his club backdrops could be heard on many top Bay Area acts' tracks, including the Team, Dem Hoodstarz, and Oakland veteran Too Short. In August 2006, he showcased his production skills on his debut album, Slapp Addict, which featured Keak da Sneak, San Quinn, and Zion I, among a multitude of his Bay Area brethren. Traxamillion died on January 2, 2022 in San Jose, California while being treated for a rare form of cancer; he was 42 years old. ~ Cyril Cordor