The Legendary Traxster

Career

The Legendary Traxster (a.k.a. Sam Lindley) is a Multi-Platinum & Grammy Nominated American Songwriter/Producer. He produced the Certified Platinum song, “My Chick Bad” by Ludacris featuring Nicki Minaj on the album "Battle Of The Sexes”. Traxster’s production on “My Chick Bad” helped land Ludacris a #1 album on the Billboard 200. Success is not new to Traxster, he earned a Grammy Nomination for his work with Mariah Carey, co-writing and producing the track, "One and Only" on her 2005 released album, “The Emancipation Of Mimi” which sold nearly 10 million albums worldwide.

The 2009 reunion on Twista’s “Category F5” has rekindled the chemistry between the two with six songs produced by The Legendary Traxster and reaching the Billboard with #1 Rap album including the hit single "Wetter". The single went on to be Certified Gold and the winner of two ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards” in the Rap and R&B/Hip Hop category. Traxster and Twista came back at it again with their hit single “Make a Movie” Twista ft. Chris Brown from Twista’s "The Perfect Storm" which also climbed its way to the top of the charts. Traxster produced ten songs on this project.

Traxster, also has extended his hand of community service by participating in the ASCAP SCORES program. The Legendary Traxster will lead a songwriting classes with kids at Chalmers Elementary, Chicago, IL. on December 1 and 8, 2010. Traxster and the students will then go to CRC Studios, Chicago, IL. on December 14, 2010 to record the song. The finished song will be included on a special compilation CD that ASCAP produces, which is distributed to each of the schools involved, as well as to music industry decision makers.

The Legendary Traxster said: "It is an honor and a privilege to be in a position to give back to my community. Having grown up in the inner city, I know that the environment, conditions and circumstances of inner city life don't always give you positive outlets to express yourself as a kid. I like to believe my love for music saved my life having seen so many of my childhood friends fall victim to the streets. In light of all the youth violence that has been occurring in Chicago, I am glad ASCAP has provided another platform for me to share my love of music with the youth of Chicago. Through the SCORES program I hope to inspire someone to pursue their dreams and avoid becoming another tragedy of the inner city."

A native of Chicago, he is best known as producer for the platinum-selling rapper Twista and the famed rap group Do or Die, for whom he produced several albums including the platinum-selling Picture This. Picture This is notable for introducing Twista to the mainstream, particularly on the album's blazing centerpiece "Po Pimp". Traxster also produced Twista’s Platinum selling “Adrenaline Rush” in its entirety. Traxster is credited for creating the Midwest / Chicago sound: slow, dark, bass heavy grooves, with wild drums and running hi-hats, to match the triple time rhyme patterns of the rappers. He soon spread his sound nationally producing songs for artist around the country. Chris Brown, Waka Flocka Flame, Yo Gotti, Ray J, R. Kelly, T.I., Lil Boosie, Cam'ron, Scarface, Bun B, Mystikal, E-40, WC, C-Bo, Static Major, Tech N9ne, The Outlawz, Raekwon, Shawnna, Eve and Trina have all used Traxster production.

In January of 2017 Traxster signed a deal with Priority Records for his label Nothing But Dope LLC. The new Priority Records launched in 2013. The label’s re-launch was a venture by Capitol Records, which is owned by the Universal Music Group.

Early career

When you hear fast-paced rappers rhyme on heavy based rhythms and quick patterned hi hats, you should automatically think of the man behind the beats, The Legendary Traxster. Born Samuel Lindley, this multi platinum, Grammy nominated record producer has always been inspired by music and art, as he and friends learned how to blend records in the late 80’s by deejaying at house parties at the age of fourteen. For him, it has always been about having the latest records, the music that people want to hear.

Traxster began his musical expression as a battle rapper from the south side of Chicago’s “Pocket Town” neighborhood, were he formed his first group in high school. His peers thought he was unusual for wanting to be a rapper, because there weren't many Hip-Hop acts In Chicago at the time. Upon graduating high school, the group “D 2 Tha S” (Dedicated 2 Tha Streets) was formed and became well known lyrically in the streets. Inspired by N.W.A, D 2 Tha S’s aspirations were to have dope lyrics over dope beats, to be the “dope group” to make it from the rough streets of Chicago. With the noise the group was making in the streets, Ill State Assassins, a coalition of different rap groups, wanted the group to join their Hip-Hop crew. D 2 Tha S ended up joining the 30 member crew of different rap groups/ artists and became a major force in the movement. Their most noted rivalry was with Grammy Award winning hip-hop group, Naughty By Nature.

D 2 Tha S single “Livin In A Hellhole” was released in 1992 and soon following released two maxi-singles "Doomsday" (1994) and "My Brothaz Keepa" (1996). To make ends meet, producing became a hustle for Traxster. The demand began for production sounding like the D 2 Tha S records, Traxster started producing for other Chicago artist. This was the beginning of his understanding that he could make a living off producing music. In the mid 90’s, Traxster began producing music for local rappers, such as Psychodrama, Do or Die, and Twista. His creativity and his discovery on how to make different sound which is filled with slow, dark, bass heavy grooves, with wild drums, and running hi hats, to match the triple time rhyme patterns of the midwest rappers, made his production unique. Traxster’s rap career was put on hold when Do or Die’s single "Po Pimp" caught fire in Chicago and lead to the album "Picture This" released on Rap-A-Lot/Virgin Records (1996) was made. Creator’s Way Records was formed and his production on Do or Die’s album brought the group to platinum-status and sparked the journey to The Legendary Traxster’s success as a multi-platinum producer and songwriter. Traxster also signed a publishing and production deal with Universal Records and Zomba Group and Jive Records.

After the release of Do or Die’s album, Traxster began working on Twista’s single “Emotions” for the album Adrenaline Rush. With the independent release of “Emotions” this rapidly selling single created a bidding war with the major labels. That bidding war birthed a deal with Atlantic Records, thus solidifying a history-making joint venture. The deal with Creator’s Way and the Atlantic was the biggest deal for an independent rap label and an established record company at that time. This allowed Traxster and the artists to have creative control over their projects. Traxster single-handedly produced, recorded, and mixed Adrenaline Rush, which is certified platinum. Soon after, Trax and his group, Shock The World, were also signed to Atlantic as recording artists, and was scheduled to release an album Blast For Me - A Thugs Religion in 1998. Due to financial and creative differences, the group split, and some members of Shock The World members decided to continue their career with Twista. This conflict led to the shelving of the group’s album and in 2002, Twista was released from Creator’s Way and was signed directly to Atlantic Records. The two reunited in 2005 to collaborate on the double-platinum record Kamikaze, but Traxster’s presence was missing from Twista’s following two albums.

In 2009 Traxster reunited on Twista’s “Category F5”. It rekindled the chemistry between the two. With multiple platinum and gold records, Traxster is inspired daily to create something new and different to prove his greatness in the music industry. “When I hear great music I desire to do something great also. When I leave the earth, I want to leave my mark”. According to The Source, Traxster’s production is considered “magical, a new sound that’s not only going to put Chicago on the map, but the whole Midwest.” Though rapping is one of Traxster’s first loves, working with various artists throughout the industry has given him the confidence to continue to dominate the airwaves with his intense, heavyweight beats. “Producing is easier. I couldn’t survive if I couldn’t make music. When I am rapping people hear my mind/thoughts...when producing you’re hearing my spirit”.

Personal life

In 2015 he married singer-songwriter Tia London and has one child together Akai King Lindley who was born in July 2015.

Artist Discography

Production Discography

2014

Twista - Dark Horse - "The Dark Horse" Featuring Tyme

Twista - Dark Horse - "I Am Sucha Mobsta"

Twista - Dark Horse - "It's Yours" Featuring Tia London

Twista - Dark Horse - "Nothing Like Me" Featuring Gritz

Twista - Dark Horse - "Me And You"

2013

Java Starr - Troubled Waters - "Peakin" Featuring Dollarmentary

Java Starr - Troubled Waters - "Gotta Do Better" Featuring Jack Freeman

Java Starr - Troubled Waters - "My City" Featuring Scarface

Java Starr - Troubled Waters - "What's Pop'n" Featuring Twista

Java Starr - Troubled Waters - "Champion" Featuring Siren The Goddess

Java Starr - Troubled Waters - "Dreamer" Featuring Tia London

Java Starr - Troubled Waters - "Let Me In" Featuring Darilyn Monroe

Java Starr - Troubled Waters - "Lost" Featuring Twista & Yukmouth

Java Starr - Troubled Waters - "See Me" Featuring Green Giant

Java Starr - Troubled Waters - "Pop A Crate" Featuring Lyru & Green Giant

Java Starr - Troubled Waters - "Smoke"

Twista - Back to the Basics (EP) - "Intro/Freestyle"

Twista - Back to the Basics (EP) - "Ferocious"

Twista - Back to the Basics (EP) - "Put It Down"

Down"

2012

Tia London - The Overdose (Album)

2011

Tia London - Love Junkie (Album)

Big Sean - Finally Famous - "I Do It"

2010

Ludacris - Battle of the Sexes - "My Chick Bad" Featuring Nicki Minaj

Ludacris - Battle of the Sexes - "My Chick Bad (Remix)" Featuring Diamond, Trina and Eve

Twista - The Perfect Storm - "Darkness" Featuring DaWreck of Triple Darkness

Twista - The Perfect Storm - "Make a Movie" Featuring Chris Brown

Twista - The Perfect Storm - "I Do"

Twista - The Perfect Storm - "2012" Featuring Tia London

Twista - The Perfect Storm - "Back To The Basics"

Twista - The Perfect Storm - "Hands Up, Lay Down" Featuring Waka Flocka Flame

Twista - The Perfect Storm - "Call The Police" Featuring Ray J

Twista - The Perfect Storm - "Give It To Me" Featuring Teala Chenae

Twista - The Perfect Storm - "Go" Featuring Zamica

Twista - The Perfect Storm - "The Heat" Featuring Raekwon

2009

Twista - Category F5 - "Misunderstood" Featuring Buk

Twista - Category F5 - "Fire" Featuring Lil Boosie

Twista - Category F5 - "Yellow Light" Featuring R. Kelly

Twista - Category F5 - "Wetter" Featuring Erika Shevon

Twista - Category F5 - "Yo Body" Featuring Do or Die & Johnny P.

Twista - Category F5 - "Gotta Get Me One" Featuring Static Major

2007

WC - Guilty by Affiliation - "Side Dick"

2006

Do or Die - Get That Paper - "Get Yo Gunz"

Do or Die - Get That Paper - "t Ain't Hard"

Do or Die - Get That Paper - "On My Own""

Do or Die - Get That Paper - "Get This Paper"

Do or Die - Get That Paper - "Somethin' Like a Playa"

Do or Die - Get That Paper - "Street Sh$"

Do or Die - Get That Paper - "Up That Scratch"

Tech N9ne - Everready (The Religion) - "My World" Featuring Brotha Lynch Hung & Dalima

2005

Mariah Carey - The Emancipation of Mimi - "One and Only" Featuring Twista

Do or Die - D.O.D. - "Against All Odds"

Do or Die - D.O.D. - "Chain of Command"

Do or Die - D.O.D. - "Around Here" Featuring Malik Yusef

Do or Die - D.O.D. - "Wa da da Dang" Featuring Grind

Do or Die - D.O.D. - "Getcha Weight Up"

Do or Die - D.O.D. - "For My N***az" Featuring The Legendary Traxster

2004

Twista - Kamikaze - "Like a 24" Featuring T.I. & Liffy Stokes

Cam'ron - Purple Haze - "Chi (Skit)/Adrenaline/Phone (Skit)" Featuring Twista & Yung Buk of Psycho Drama

2003

Do or Die - Pimpin' Ain't Dead - "One More Way 2 Die" Featuring E.C. Illa

Do or Die - Pimpin' Ain't Dead - "Do U?" Featuring Twista And Johnny P.

Do or Die - Pimpin' Ain't Dead - "Fantasy"

Do or Die - Pimpin' Ain't Dead - "See It Through Reality" Featuring The Legendary Traxster

Do or Die - Pimpin' Ain't Dead - "Lil' Ghetto Boy" Featuring Johnny P.

Do or Die - Pimpin' Ain't Dead - "Stateville" Featuring The Legendary Traxster And Dun D

Do or Die - Pimpin' Ain't Dead - "Don't Give No F*ck (No Love 2K3"

Do or Die - Pimpin' Ain't Dead - "Bomb on Contact"

Do or Die - Pimpin' Ain't Dead - "Not 4 U" Featuring Johnny P.

Do or Die - Pimpin' Ain't Dead - "Who I Fuck Wit"

Do or Die - Pimpin' Ain't Dead - "Cold World"

2002

Do or Die - Back 2 the Game - "Ain't No Punk"

Do or Die - Back 2 the Game - "I Got A Problem" Featuring Yung Buk

Do or Die - Back 2 the Game - "3 A.M." Featuring Johnny P.

Do or Die - Back 2 the Game - "Secret Indictment"

Do or Die - Back 2 the Game - "Dead Homies" Featuring Johnny P.

Do or Die - Back 2 the Game - "That's My Car"

Do or Die - Back 2 the Game - "Menage A Trois" Featuring Johnny P.

2001

Snypaz - Livin' in the Scope - "Searchin"

1999

Mystikal - The Corruptor (soundtrack) - "I Ain't Playin"

1998

Do or Die - Caught Up (soundtrack) - "All in the Club" Featuring Danny Boy And Johnny P

Do or Die - Headz or Tailz - "Lil Sum Sum"

Do or Die - Headz or Tailz - "Nobody's Home" Featuring Johnny P. and Danny Boy

Do or Die - Headz or Tailz - "All in the Club" Featuring Danny Boy

Do or Die - Headz or Tailz - "Can I" Featuring Beyond Content

Do or Die - Headz or Tailz - "Gangsta Shit" Featuring Shock The World

Do or Die - Headz or Tailz - "Bustin Back (Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Diss)" Featuring Lil Chilla Of Snypaz

Do or Die - Headz or Tailz - "Who Am I" Featuring Scarface

Do or Die - Headz or Tailz - "Caine House"

Twista And The Speedknot Mobstaz - Mobstability - "Intro"

Twista And The Speedknot Mobstaz - Mobstability - "Crook County (Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Diss)" Featuring Newsense

Twista And The Speedknot Mobstaz - Mobstability - "Mob Up"

Twista And The Speedknot Mobstaz - Mobstability - "Front Porch" Featuring Danny Boy

Twista And The Speedknot Mobstaz - Mobstability - "In Your World" Featuring Christopher Williams

Twista And The Speedknot Mobstaz - Mobstability - "Legit Ballers"

Twista And The Speedknot Mobstaz - Mobstability - "Mobstability"

Twista And The Speedknot Mobstaz - Mobstability - "Party Hoes"

Twista And The Speedknot Mobstaz - Mobstability - "Warm Embrace"

Twista And The Speedknot Mobstaz - Mobstability - "Smoke Wit You" Featuring Baby Boy

Twista And The Speedknot Mobstaz - Mobstability - "Loyalty" Featuring Shock The World

Twista And The Speedknot Mobstaz - Mobstability - "Motive 4 Murder"

Twista And The Speedknot Mobstaz - Mobstability - "Dreams"

Twista And The Speedknot Mobstaz - Mobstability - "Rock Y'all Spot"

Twista And The Speedknot Mobstaz - Dr. Dolittle Soundtrack - "In Your World"

Latanya - The Big Hit Soundtrack - "What U On"

1997

Mystikal - Dangerous Ground (soundtrack) - "Mr. Shit Talker"

Twista - Adrenaline Rush - "Intro"

Twista - Adrenaline Rush - "Adrenaline Rush" Featuring Yung Buk of Psycho Drama

Twista - Adrenaline Rush - "Death Before Dishonor"

Twista - Adrenaline Rush - "It Feels So Good" Featuring Ms. Kane aka Eryka Kane

Twista - Adrenaline Rush - "Overdose"

Twista - Adrenaline Rush - "Mobster's Anthem" Featuring Liffy Stokes, Mayz

Twista - Adrenaline Rush - "Get Her In Tha Mood" (skit)

Twista - Adrenaline Rush - "Emotions" Featuring Johnny P

Twista - Adrenaline Rush - "Unsolved Mystery"

Twista - Adrenaline Rush - "Korrupt World" Featuring B-Hype

Twista - Adrenaline Rush - "Get It Wet" Featuring Ms Kane aka Eryka Kane

Twista - Adrenaline Rush - "No Remorse" Featuring Liffy Stokes, B-Hype, Turtle Banks, Mayz & Master Link of Qualo

Twista - Adrenaline Rush - "Emotions" (Remix)

Mystikal - Unpredictable - "Still Smokin"

Mic Geronimo - Vendetta - "Vendetta"

1996

Do or Die - Picture This - "Alpha and Omega"

Do or Die - Picture This - "Shut 'Em Down"

Do or Die - Picture This - "Po Pimp" Featuring Twista And Johnny P.

Do or Die - Picture This - "Playa Like Me and You" Featuring Johnny P.

Do or Die - Picture This - "Promise"

Do or Die - Picture This - "6 Million"

Do or Die - Picture This - "Search Warrant"

Do or Die - Picture This - "Anotha One Dead And Gone"