Crowning the Chicago underground scene for over two decades, Traxx (Melvin Oliphant III) is a visionary DJ and producer celebrated for his raw, energetic sets and relentless advocacy for the "jakbeat" sound. Born and raised in Chicago, Traxx developed an early obsession with the city’s pioneering house music, channeling its spirit into a distinctive mixture of acid, industrial, EBM, electro, and proto-house. His marathon sets are infamous for their boundary-pushing blends and fearless selections—from foundational classics to obscure oddities—creating a hypnotic, physical experience on the dancefloor.

As the founder of Nation, Traxx established a crucial platform for adventurous sonic explorations, supporting artists who share his dedication to authenticity and analog experimentation. His production style, marked by gritty hardware jams, can be heard across releases on labels like Creme Organization, Rush Hour, M>O>S Recordings, and his own Nation imprint. Traxx’s collaborations—under his own name and aliases like XXart and Mutant Beat Dance (with Beau Wanzer and Steve Summers)—have further expanded the jakbeat universe, uniting likeminded artists in a transatlantic sound movement.

Internationally revered among both ravers and underground tastemakers, Traxx’s forward-thinking vision and uncompromising commitment to the roots of Chicago dance music have established him as a fiercely original figure in modern electronic culture.