Producers are an integral part of music creation, but so few of these sonic gurus get the recognition they deserve. HEAT RISING looks at the best beats by an up-and-coming producer, and talks about where they’re from (ROOTS), what they’ve done (RESUME), and why they’re an exciting presence in music today (REASONS TO WATCH).

ROOTS: Texarkana, Arkansas-born, and currently Atlanta-based beatmaker Sam “Knucklehead” Irving developed a unique sonic approach to trap-style hip-hop production through an early exposure to music by way of his family’s church. With a grandfather who plays piano, a grandmother who sings in church, and an aunt who teaches area children piano lessons, it makes sense that Irving would eventually delve into music himself. However, instead of making music for the church, Knucklehead started making beats for the trap, with some of his earliest beats earning placements on albums by major artists like Gucci Mane and Soulja Boy.

Knucklehead considers himself a Fruity Loops wizard, and will make his own sounds by sampling YouTube clips and chopping them up within FL. He’s built a reputation for himself working on beats for Atlanta rapper Yung L.A., crafting twisted and melodically unpredictable instrumentals that introduced the hip-hop world to his unique approach to trap music.

RESUME: In addition to Soulja Boy, Gucci Mane, and Yung L.A., Knucklehead has produced beats for Rocko, Jose Guapo, Slick Pulla, Cash Out, Travie McCoy, Roscoe Dash, and more.

REASONS TO WATCH: Knucklehead had previously enjoyed a fairly high level of exposure working with rappers exclusively, but his biggest success to date came when he laced upstart Atlanta R&B artist August Alsina with one of his strongest beats. “I Luv This Shit” features Trinidad Jame$, and highlights the versatility of Knuck’s instrumentals. His flickering synths, and the musicality in his faux-brass programming work just as well against a hook by an R&B crooner like August Alsina, or alongside a verse by fellow-ATLien rapper Trinidad Jame$.

It feels like “Knuck Taylor” has found his true niche in the realm of R&B. He’s been working on new material with Houston R&B artist Kirko Bangz, and if that surfaces this year, it could be time for Sam “Knucklehead” Irving’s mainstream breakthrough.