Trackmasters Entertainment

infobox record label


parent = Sony BMG
founded = 1993
founder = Trackmasters
Steve Stoute
owner =
distributor = Columbia Records (US)
genre = Hip hop, R&B
country = US
location = New York City, New York
url =

Trackmasters Entertainment is the hip hop and R&B record label founded by Poke & Tone of the production duo, Trackmasters.

History

Beginnings

After producing for many tracks for artists such as Kool G Rap, LL Cool J, Roxanne Shante, Big Daddy Kane, Kool Moe Dee, and other acts, Columbia Records decided to sign the duo to their label. To get them on the label, Columbia granted them their own imprint, Trackmasters Entertainment.

While working with MC Serch of 3rd Bass, the tandem had began working with an artist named, Nasty Nas. Nasty would soon shorten his name to Nas and sign to the Trackmasters imprint. In 1994, the label's first release came in the form of Nas' "Illmatic." The album received a lukewarm response, but was considered a hip hop masterpiece. The album received 5 mics from The Source Magazine. Soon, label creator, Tone embarked on a short-lived rap career as he did songs with the likes of The Notorious B.I.G..

In 1996, Nas released his second album, "It Was Written," this album was a big commercial success during the summer of 1996, behind his mega-hit, "If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)," with Lauryn Hill. In 1997, they and their artist, Nas, came together to form a hip hop supergroup entitled, The Firm, which included AZ, Nature, Nas, and Foxy Brown. Kid Kapri would sign to the label during this period along with Allure, and Nature.

Second Generation

This group would be placed on Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment for a distribution deal. In 1999, the label decided to recruit some new talent, so they signed on a young 50 Cent, and an early incarnation of his G-Unit Records. Also in 1999, Nas would release two platinum certified albums. This would also be when they signed R&B group, Blaque to the label and released their platinum debut album, "Blaque."

Murder Inc. controversy

In 2000, the label planned to release 50 Cent's debut album, "Power of the Dollar," on G-Unit/Trackmasters/Columbia. This would never happen due to his diss track to Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. This song led to 50 Cent being shot nine times, almost dying. Because of this, Columbia Records forced Trackmasters to drop the G-Unit label from their roster.

Due to this, 50 Cent would end up feuding with Trackmasters, Columbia, and Nas. He would later find success on Shady Records and Aftermath Entertainment through Interscope Records.

Also in 2000, Nature would release his debut album, "For All Seasons," through the label. He would later leave the label due to their lack of promotion of the album.

Return of Nas

After a two year absence, Trackmasters' first artist, Nas, had returned to the rap game. While he was away, he had been being dissed by Roc-A-Fella Records' artists, Jay-Z and Memphis Bleek. Such events established the context for the epic Jay-Z vs. Nas feud.

Jay-Z had debuted the lead single for his sixth album, "The Blueprint," on Hot97's summer jam. The single was a diss to Nas and Mobb Deep, entitled "Takeover." After the release of the song, many thought it harked the end for Nas' rap career, and many thought his response would not be as emphatic as Jay-Z's "Takeover."

Later in 2001, Nas released the vicious Jay-Z diss, "Ether." In the song, Nas accused Jay-Z of 'biting' lyrics from The Notorious B.I.G., idolizing Nas, and 'brown-nosing' the likes of Irv Gotti, Russell Simmons, and P. Diddy, amongst others, in order to garner recogintion in the hip hop game. "Ether" also contained accusations of Jay-Z taking the blame for the stabbing of Lance "Un" Rivera, in an attempt to abet his friend.

In December 2001, Nas released his fifth album, "Stillmatic," a somewhat sequel to his debut album, "Illmatic." This album would receive '5 mics' from the Source Magazine, its highest accolade, and in the process making Nas one of only two artists to have two '5 mic' albums. In addition to the critical acclaim "Stillmatic" received, the album was also a commercial success, being certified platinum. The album would be a vital part of his feud with Roc-A-Fella Records.

Nas' next album, "God's Son," would also become a critical and commercial success. The final album released in the Columbia Records deal would be Nas' "Street's Disciple", which would not claim the critical acclaim of his previous LP, but nevertheless attained platinum sales.

Today

Today the label is now an imprint of Def Jam Recordings and has recently released "Hip Hop Is Dead" by Nas. They are now preparing to release his next album which was entitled "Nigger," now simply going untitled.

Roster

Artists

* Nas
* Trackmasters
* The Firm
* Ill Will Records
* The Jones Experience
* Allure

Former artists

* Blaque
* Nature
* Kid Kapri
* 50 Cent

References

External links

* www.trackmasters.net Official Site
* www.myspace.com/trackmasters2010 Myspace Page