To the average listener, producing is probably the most underrated Ingredient of any album. Straight out of Hayward, California, two long-time friends are ready to showcase what producers are made of in their debut album Duffel Bag Musik, coming out in November. Dubbed Traklordz, veteran producer Black Jack and his protégé-turned partner J-Gunna has been putting together up an album for the past two years. Look forward to major Bay players like Keak da Sneak, E-40 and Clyde Carson in Duffel Bag Musik.

Black Jack has been in and out of the game since the mid-1990s when he helped produce four gold albums, working back then with Spice 1, The Loonies, E-40 and Biggie. J-Gunna began laying his own musical groundwork since he was four years old, inspired first by his father and now, Black Jack, who continues to surround him with great people. In 2006, after a long standstill, Traklordz decided to take the reins of their own faith and began producing an album.

The two feel that the Bay Area rap scene has grown more exclusive today. The sound and style has transformed into a movement and lifestyle that is sometimes only appreciated (or even understood) by those who live in the Bay.

One thing the duo wants to make known is their detachment from the hustling stereotype. “We emphasize on good sound quality. I’m not in this to get some money,” Black Jack says.

By no means disrespecting hyphy or the hustlers out there, Traklordz has imbued a talent in linking a group of great artists with years of mixing and mastering. Watch out for Traklordz’s Duffel Bag Musik.