Album Notes

TAPE is proud to release to you “The TraqEssentials” in the birthplace of where our music
derives, we are excited to share our new project with those who follow and those who haven't
been exposed to our sound. The music, which embodies the world and its youth, serves as an
exposé of real-life issues and over-comings of obstacles true to all. The overwhelming clamor
for more music from our current followers has us searching to find ways to please our fans.
Answer – TraQ & Essence have come together to produce this 17-track project; "The TraQEssentials".

The project started with a song (on the album as "Disappear") – while the two were touring with the BassMeant collective on the "Dose of Dope Tour". Spring 2009, the two (TraQ & Essence) took the stage in their first-ever on-stage collaboration. The energy was felt, the people wanted more. More is what we give them...now.

"[TraQEssentials], without a doubt, are poised for the long haul of hard work to change the game of Hip Hop and with their confidence, no swagger needed – they know the music they produce will speak for itself. They know the right people will fall into the huge loop that’s growing for good music, the right people will buy and hear the music. Great music of any genre spreads like a virus contaminating people who are susceptible to the art form; this album is the host of the virus coming from the Northwest slowly but surely infecting your ears, mind and soul soon to take over your iTunes, computer and iPod with infectious vibes of peace, love and harmony." -- Norward J. Brooks {Seattle Music Journalist}