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Star Trak Entertainment is a record label, specializing in hip-hop music, founded by record producers Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams in 2002. Star Trak Entertainment operates as a subsidiary of Interscope Records and Universal Music Group.
History
Beginnings
Star Trak Entertainment was formed in 2002 by The Neptunes' duo of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. The label was partially funded by Arista Records in a joint-venture. Pharrell would sign longtime friends, Clipse, a duo of brothers Malice and Pusha-T. Their debut album, Lord Willin', was released in 2002 led by the hits, "Grindin'", and "When the Last Time." After the success of the album, the label would sign Kelis, Vanessa Marquez, FAM-LAY, N.E.R.D., and pop rock band Spymob, who provided backing instruments for N.E.R.D's debut album In Search Of.... The label released a compilation album during the summer of 2003, entitled, The Neptunes Present... Clones. In late 2003, Star Trak released the highly-successful album, Tasty, by Kelis led by the hit single "Milkshake." In early 2004, distributor Arista dropped imprint Star Trak, which then linked with Virgin Records for a new distribution deal. The first release from this deal was Fly or Die by N.E.R.D..
Addition of Snoop
In mid-2004, Star Trak signed EMI cousin label, Doggystyle Records to a distribution deal and soared to new heights behind veteran Doggystyle rapper, Snoop Dogg. A few months later, Star Trak left EMI's Virgin Records before completing a year with the label. They ended up moving operations over to Geffen/Interscope. Here, they would release Snoop Dogg's album, R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece. The album was led by "Drop It Like Its Hot", which would be yet another hit single for the fledgling label. This album would go Platinum like all other Star Trak releases. It also had many other hit singles. After the album's release, the label was in a surplus and could afford to spend money on new things, so they signed underground Houston, Texas rapper Slim Thug and in 2005, he released his debut album, Already Platinum. This album would give Star Trak yet another monster hit, "Like A Boss", and "I Ain't Heard of That."
Decline
After the release of Slim Thug's album, Geffen Records was partially absorbed into Interscope Records, which moved Star Trak into an exclusive distribution deal with Interscope Records and ended all association with Geffen Records as Snoop Dogg decided to stay with them and took his Doggystyle imprint with him. During this time, the label added Kenna and Robin Thicke to their roster.
Resurgence
In 2006, CEO Pharrell released his debut album, In My Mind. The album provided another two hits for the label and capitilazed what is the Neptunes sound. These singles were "Can I Have It Like That", with Gwen Stefani, and "Number One", with Kanye West. Other releases in 2006 were Robin Thicke's second album, The Evolution of Robin Thicke, which featured the hit, "Lost Without U." This song brought another hit to the label, maintaining its storied reputation of making hits and hitmakers. The last 2006 release was Clipse's second album, Hell Hath No Fury, the album featured another hit for the label, "Mr. Me Too." This was their first release through their Re-Up Gang imprint. Because of constant delays on the album's release date, and a small amount of production, then low record sales, Clipse asked for their release from the Jive Records label with in terms relased them from the Star Trak Label moving their Re-Up Gang imprint to Columbia Records. Star Trak has since signed Teyana Taylor to their roster, along with Chester French, Natasha Ramos, and Jack Venom. In 2007, Kenna released his album, Make Sure They See My Face. Releases for 2008 Included N*E*R*D and Robin Thicke. Releases Planned for 2009 are to include Chester French, Teyana Taylor, Kenna, Clipse and Teriyaki Boyz.
Current roster
Artists
Former Artists
Affiliate Artists
Discography
Albums
| Lord Willin'
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The Neptunes Present... Clones
- Artist: The Neptunes featuring various artists
- Released: August 19, 2003
- Promotion Label: Star Trak
- Distribution Label: Arista
- Chart Position: #1 US Billboard 200
- RIAA certification: Gold (U.S.)
- Singles: "Frontin'" by Pharrell feat. Jay-Z, "Light Your Ass On Fire" by Busta Rhymes feat. Pharrell, "Hot Damn" by Clipse feat. Ab-Liva, Pharrell & Rosco P. Coldchain, "It Blows My Mind" by Snoop Dogg
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Tasty
- Artist: Kelis
- Released: December 9, 2003 (U.S.), December 8, 2003 (Europe)
- Promotion Label: Star Trak
- Distribution Label: Arista
- Chart Position: #27 US Billboard 200 on December 27, 2003
- RIAA certification: Gold (U.S.)
- Singles: "Milkshake", "Trick Me", "Millionaire" feat. André 3000, "In Public" feat. Nas
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Fly or Die
- Artist: N*E*R*D
- Released: March 23, 2004
- Promotion Label: Star Trak
- Distribution Label: Virgin
- Chart Position: #6 US Billboard 200 on April 10, 2004
- RIAA certification: Gold (U.S.)
- Singles: "She Wants To Move", "Maybe"
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R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece
- Artist: Snoop Dogg
- Released: November 16, 2004
- Promotion Label: Doggystyle/Geffen/Star Trak
- Distribution Label: Interscope Records
- Chart positions: #6 US Billboard 200 on December 04, 2004
- RIAA certification: Platinum (U.S., U.K., CAN), Gold (Fr, NZ, AUS)
- Singles: "Drop It Like It's Hot" feat. Pharrell, "Let's Get Blown", "Signs" feat. Charlie Wilson & Justin Timberlake, "Ups & Downs" feat. The Bee Gees
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The High Speed Scene
- Artist: The High Speed Scene
- Released: March 22, 2005
- Promotion Label: Star Trak/Geffen
- Distribution Label: Interscope Records
- Chart positions: -
- RIAA certification: -
- Singles: -
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| Already Platinum
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| In My Mind
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| The Evolution of Robin Thicke
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Hell Hath No Fury
- Artist: Clipse
- Released: November 28, 2006
- Promotion Label: Re-Up Gang/Star Trak
- Distribution Label: Jive
- Chart positions: #14 US Billboard 200 on December 16, 2006
- RIAA certification: 194,000
- Singles: "Mr. Me Too" feat. Pharrell, "Wamp Wamp (What It Do)" feat. Slim Thug
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Make Sure They See My Face
- Artist: Kenna
- Released: October 16, 2007
- Promotion Label: Star Trak
- Distribution Label: Interscope Records
- Chart positions: #124 US Billboard 200 on November 03, 2007
- RIAA certification: -
- Singles: "Out Of Control (State Of Emotion)", "Say Goodbye To Love"
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Seeing Sounds
- Artist: N*E*R*D
- Released: June 10, 2008
- Promotion Label: Star Trak
- Distribution Label: Interscope Records
- Chart positions: -
- RIAA certification: -
- Singles: "Everyone Nose"
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| From a Planet Called Harlem[1]
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Something Else
- Artist: Robin Thicke
- Release: September, 2008
- Promotion Label: Star Trak
- Distribution Label: Interscope Records
- Chart positions: -
- RIAA certification: -
- Singles: -
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Dat Missile
- Artist: FAM-LAY
- Release: TBD
- Promotion Label: Star Trak
- Distribution Label: Interscope Records
- Chart positions: -
- RIAA certification: -
- Singles: "Da Beeper Record" feat. Pharrell[2]
See also
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