Bay Area hip-hop producer Traxamillion, progenitor of hyphy, dies from cancer
Traxamillion performs at Hot Import Nights in Pleasanton, California, on July 25, 2009. Courtesy Wikicommons.
South Bay hip-hop producer and artist Sultan Banks, better known as Traxamillion, died Sunday morning in Santa Clara. The 42-year-old passed away after a years-long battle with cancer.
His manager, Prashant “PK” Kumar, told the The San Francisco Chronicle that Banks was in hospice care at his aunt’s home, and that he had been fighting a rare form of cancer since 2017.
Traxamillion is best known as an early progenitor and advocate of the hyphy movement; the Bay Area’s claim to hip-hop fame in the late ’90s and early aughts. While he didn’t come up with the name—Bay Area rapper Keak da Sneak did—Banks was largely responsible for building its sound, including hyperactive beats and rhythms. Traxamillion produced several of the rapper’s albums, as well as others like E-40.
His best-known album of his own is 2006’s Traxamillion Presents the Slapp Addict, which included vocals by numerous local artists, which cemented his place in the genre. The album included Too Short, Mistah F.A.B., Keak da Sneak, San Quinn, Zion I and others. Zion I’s Zumbi passed away last autumn.
Traxamillion was born on Feb. 26, 1979 in San Jose. He attended Andrew Hill High School in San Jose and San Jose City College. Kumar told the Chronicle that Traxamillion produced a song called “I Stand on That,” by E-40 featuring T.I. and Joyner Lucas, while getting radiation and chemotherapy treatment. He released his last album, Sirens, in 2021. It’s available on streaming services. He is survived by a son, Elijah Banks, Kumar told the Chronicle.
“Rest In Peace @traxamillion The San Jose producer who helped create the “Hyphy” sound passed away today. This is a huge loss for Northern California We send our condolences to his family & loved ones. #RIPTraxamillion,” Thizzler on the Roof said on social media.
Rest In Peace @traxamillion 🙏🕊️ The San Jose producer who helped create the “Hyphy” sound passed away today. This is a huge loss for Northern California 💔 We send our condolences to his family & loved ones. #RIPTraxamillion pic.twitter.com/I3k4NsUq5M
— Thizzler On The Roof (@TheThizzler) January 2, 2022
Super Hyphy most important song of the Hyphy Movement #RIPTRAXAMILLION
— P-Lo (@p_lo) January 2, 2022
Lost a friend today. One of the most likable guys in this biz. We all know how talented he is, but Trax was a true human’s human. He cared about people. Big loss down here, continue your work up there my man! #RipTraxamillion #BayAreaUnite @SoundMgtRecords https://t.co/XPdYJR62ha
— Smash Mouth (@smashmouth) January 2, 2022