The September 9TH Producers Showcase features J. Steele of Trac-Qaeda Music Group, bringing a respected South Jersey production connection into the Graffiti Lounge. J. Steele has roots in the Camden Hip Hop scene and was part of Urban Hill, an independent group whose documented lineup included J. Steele, Vinny G, B-Wyatt and BUD. J. Steele and Vinny G would also become known for their production work as Trac-Qaeda.

J.Steele of Trac-Qaeda is from Camden, NJ.

Key Notable Production Credits: Dell-P, Porta Rich, Freeway, Peedi Crack, Grand Puba, Speech of Arrested Development, David Banner, Smoke DZA, Tracey Lee, Masta Ace, Hus Kingpin, Troy Ave, Passport Rav, SHIRT, Robbie Pardlo of City High, Son of The 215.

Trac-Qaeda also were co-headliners with Rav.Paka Passport Rav at the legendary SOBs in New York City for their collaborative project, Immaculate EP.  Trac-Qaeda also participated in one of the industry's hottest producer platforms, iStandard Producers, in which they were recognized by veterans such as Rockwilder, Amadeus, Illmind, and duo Buda Da Future and GrandzMuzik. Trac-Qaeda tied for 1st in the New York City showcase which placed them in the ranks as one of the top 100 new producers within the iStandardProducer network. 

Trac-Qaeda’s musical contributions has also been recognized by the likes of Chuck D, Peedi Crack, Cool & Dre, Datwon Thomas of Vibe Magazine, Jakk Frost, Sway Calloway, Tracey Lee, Masta Ace, Rah Digga, LL Cool J, Phil Jackson, DJ Jay Ski, DJ Aktive, DJ Caesar & DJ SoulBuck to name a few; major placements from 2DopeBoyz, HipHopDX, TheSource, Insomniac Magazine, HipHopSince1987; major radio spins from Hot 97’s “Real Late” with Peter Rosenberg in New York City, Power 99’s “The Come Up Show” with DJ Cosmic Kev in Philadelphia, Rock The Bells Radio with LL Cool J, Streetsweepers Radio with DJ Kay Slay, Beatminerz Radio, Lord Sear Show, Sway In The Morning’s “Get In The Game” as producers with Dell-P, Carnegie Hall (via Black Thought's Master Class with a performance from Dell-P) and WPRB’s Side B Radio.  Trac-Qaeda was also honored to be a special guest on CBS Radio’s “The Overtime Show” hosted by SportsRadio 94WIP’s Phil Jackson and DJ SoulBuck.

Contact Info: linktr.ee/tracqaeda

Trac-Qaeda's production catalog reaches across underground and independent Hip Hop. Their public production archive lists work connected to artists including Smoke DZA, Troy Ave, Nickelus F, SHIRT, Michael Millions, Stevie Franks and others. Trac-Qaeda has also produced full collaborative projects, and its work with Philadelphia emcee Dell-P has extended into album production. That experience makes J. Steele an ideal fit for what the Graffiti Lounge Producers Showcase is attempting to build.

CHECK OUT J STEELE; TRAC-QAEDA 

Listen to Trac-Qaeda on SoundCloud
Explore J. Steele and Urban Hill's archive

ORIGINAL BEATS BUILT IN THE LAB. TESTED IN THE CYPHER.

The Producers Showcase is not simply a beat-listening session. The concept gives a producer the opportunity to introduce their production background, explain their musical style, play selected beats, promote production services and supply original instrumentals that can become part of the evening's live cypher. That creates a different relationship between emcee and producer. Instead of an artist stepping onto a stage and performing over a finished recording, the emcee has to respond to production in real time.

Can you hear the pocket?

Can you adapt your delivery?

Can you stay on beat?

Can you make an unfamiliar instrumental sound like it belongs to you?

That is the test. The producer also retains ownership of the music. If an artist later wants to record, commercially release or monetize a song over one of the beats, the artist and producer must establish their own separate agreement. That structure protects the producer while encouraging legitimate artist-producer relationships.

The September 9TH Cypher also reaches directly into Philadelphia's graffiti lineage with a special guest interview featuring Rambo Rame, also known simply as RAME. RAME is a longtime Philadelphia graffiti writer and member of the influential KMD crew. From North Philadelphia's Badlands taking tags into his neighborhood around 1992–93 before becoming more serious about graffiti in the mid-1990s. His work is deeply connected to one of Philadelphia graffiti's most recognizable traditions: the Wicked handstyle.

RAME describes Philadelphia handstyles as a tradition passed from generation to generation and credits his brother RAKAN with teaching him the fundamentals before he developed his own approach. He has also discussed his commitment to representing Philadelphia graffiti traditions outside the city and introducing those styles to wider audiences. That makes his appearance particularly important at a venue that calls itself both a Hip Hop cultural space and a Graffiti History Museum. RAME isn't appearing simply as decoration around a rap show. His interview brings an actual practitioner of Philadelphia graffiti history into the conversation.

Follow Rambo Rame on Instagram @ramborame_215
Read the RAME Bombing Science interview

The Graffiti Lounge is being developed as a community-centered Hip Hop cultural venue, outdoor performance space and Graffiti History Museum at Container Village in West Philadelphia.

Its mission is larger than simply hosting concerts. The space is intended to give emcees, DJs, producers, beatboxers, breakers, graffiti writers, photographers, filmmakers, podcasters, historians, independent artists, young people and neighborhood residents a place where Hip Hop can be performed, practiced, documented, taught and preserved.

The Graffiti Lounge's programming is deliberately structured around Hip Hop as an interconnected culture. The official program emphasizes emceeing, DJing, breaking and Hip Hop dance, graffiti and wall writing, and beatboxing, while also creating space for production, media and cultural storytelling.

Learn more about The Graffiti Lounge