The Trak Starz

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Trak Starz
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Background = non_performing_personnel
Alias =
Origin = flagicon|USA St. Louis, Missouri
Genre = Hip-Hop, Pop, R&B
Years_active = 2003–present
Occupation = Producer, songwriter, rapper, Music executive, Entrepreneur
Label = Trak Starz Records/Universal Records
Associated_acts = Chingy, Ludacris, Houston, Usher, Janet Jackson, Britney Spears
URL = [http://www.myspace.com/thetrakstarz MySpace]
Current_members = Alonzo “Zo” Lee Jr.
Shamar “Sham” Daugherty

The Trak Starz (Alonzo "Zo" Lee Jr. & Shamar “Sham” Daugherty), are a Grammy Award-winning American hip-hop production group from St. Louis, Missouri.

Biography

Credited with helping establish St. Louis in the hip-hop community, The Trak Starz quickly developed a reputation as one of the rap industry's marquee production teams. Prior to forming The Trak Starz in 2000, Sham and Zo had known each other for over 7 years. Zo played in numerous reggae and funk bands including Reggae At Will and Dr. Zhivegas, while Sham was in a group called Out of Order. Zo also utilized his keyboard skills to produce tracks for various regional rappers. After producing a few tracks for Sham's Out of Order group the two began producing together, forming The Trak Starz.cite web |url=http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=58740228 |title=About The Trak Starz-Producers |publisher=MySpace |date= |accessdate=2008-10-01] Soon after, the newly formed partners produced an album for the Whole 9, a group that was signed to MCA Records. They also received production credits on albums for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Krayzie Bone and Tyrese, as well as producing background music for various MTV shows. After their work with the Whole 9 and other artists, The Trak Starz were managed by Chaka Zulu, whose connections helped them sign former 3 Strikes group member Chingy to Disturbing tha Peace Records. After signing with The Trak Starz production company, the three began working on Chingy's solo album. According to Zo:The first song on the demo created in that small apartment was "Right Thurr", the overnight national hit that would launch the relative unknowns to stardom, as well as Chingy's solo career. Their melodic, irresistible, radio-friendly beats spawned numerous hits from Chingy's debut album "Jackpot", which would go on to sell over 3 million copies.cite web |url=http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=58740228 |title=About The Trak Starz-Producers |publisher=MySpace |date= |accessdate=2008-10-01] The overwhelming success of Chingy also propelled The Trak Starz to the forefront of hip-hop production, landing them their own label deal. Zo explains:After securing a deal with Barry Hankerson's (R. Kelly, Toni Braxton, JoJo, Ginuwine and Aaliyah) Blackground Records, The Trak Starz hoped to develop local artists from their Trak Starz Productions roster including rapper Louie V, female R&B group STL, rap duo 2 Deep, male R&B singer JuJu, and male solo rapper 47. Zo explains:

2003-2004

By the end of 2003, The Track Starz had also earned production credits on Ludacris' multi-platinum "Chicken-n-Beer" (“Splash Waterfalls”) and Britney Spears' "Me Against the Music (The Trak Starz Remix)" Their success would continue in 2004 lending their talents on Houston's hit single "I Like That," which they wrote, produced and parlayed into a multi-million dollar advertising campaign.cite web |url=http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=58740228 |title=About The Trak Starz-Producers |publisher=MySpace |date= |accessdate=2008-10-01] They also earned a Diamond certification and a Grammy Award nomination for Album of the Year with their contributions on Usher's "Confessions". However, they would lose to Ray Charles' "Genius Loves Company". Additional production credits would also include Chingy's Platinum certified "Powerballin'" and DreamWorks "Shark Tale" soundtrack.cite web |url=http://www.gcpro.com/feature_0105_trakstarz.html |title=Trak Starz Get First Place with GC Pro |publisher=GC Pro |date= |accessdate=2008-10-01]

"Star Studded" and side-projects

In 2005 The Trak Starz, now managed by Larry Rudolph (Britney Spears' manager) of ReignDeer Entertainment, announced the release of their debut album titled "Star Studded".cite web |url=http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur22737.cfm |title=THE TRAK STARZ READY DEBUT ALBUM: Guest Spots include Lil Jon, Timbaland, Juvenile, David Banner, and more |publisher=EURweb.com |date=2005-10-05 |accessdate=2008-10-01] Their guest list was extensive, initially including David Banner, Twista, Juvenile, Lil Jon, Timbaland, Chingy, Nate Dogg, Bun B. and Jon B. Recorded in their state-of-the art studio in St. Louis, "The Trak Meet"cite web |url=http://www.gcpro.com/feature_0105_trakstarz.html |title=Trak Starz Get First Place with GC Pro |publisher=GC Pro |date= |accessdate=2008-10-01] , the first official single titled "Take it Off," featured STL and T Deep, the first artists signed to the Trak Starz label.

cite web |url=http://www.urbanclubbers.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=131 |title=Trak Starz Dropping New Album, Scoring Film |publisher=Urban Clubbers |date=2005-09-23 |accessdate=2008-10-01] According to Sham:According to The Trak Starz, one of the most highly anticipated tracks is what the duo referred to as the “Producers’ Anthem,” featuring producers who, like The Trak Starz, are also artists. The concept was simple, each of the album's producer's will rhyme a verse over their own beat, with The Trak Starz molding the different styles into one seamless track.cite web |url=http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur22737.cfm |title=THE TRAK STARZ READY DEBUT ALBUM: Guest Spots include Lil Jon, Timbaland, Juvenile, David Banner, and more |publisher=EURweb.com |date=2005-10-05 |accessdate=2008-10-01] In regards to the album Zo has stated,"The album was due to be released in November 2005, however it was never released.

In addition to their own album, The Trak Starz were continuously working on numerous projects for artist such as Nas, Ludacris, E-40, Chingy and Janet Jackson, while co-writing with Babyface for Aretha Franklin's "".cite web |url=http://www.urbanclubbers.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=131 |title=Trak Starz Dropping New Album, Scoring Film |publisher=Urban Clubbers |date=2005-09-23 |accessdate=2008-10-01] Their song was slated for Aretha Franklin and Beyoncé however it was not featured on the album. They were also producing the score for an urban dance movie, called "Behind The Groove". In regards to the movie Zo is quoted as saying,

Lawsuit

In June 2006 it was reported that local St. Louis record producer Ronald R. Gavin had filed a lawsuit against Chingy and The Trak Starz for more than $250,000, alleging that the Chingy broke a record deal in 2002 so he could join Ludacris' Disturbing tha Peace Records.cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-06-07-chingy-sued_x.htm?POE=LIFISVA |title=St. Louis man sues Chingy over recording deal |publisher=USATODAY.com |date=2006-06-07 |accessdate=2008-10-02] The filing also claimed that The Trak Starz encouraged Chingy to sign a separate contract in 2002 and promised the rapper they'd hook him up with Ludacris, all the while knowing that Chingy had signed a binding agreement with Gavin.cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1533887/06082006/chingy.jhtml |title=Chingy Should Pay For Signing With Ludacris, Lawsuit Claims |publisher=VH1.com |date=2006-06-08 |accessdate=2008-10-02] As of 2008, no other information has been released regarding this case.

"Release Therapy" - present

2007 proved to be another big year for The Trak Starz earning a Grammy Award for their production on Ludacris' 2006 "Release Therapy" album. Their award for Best Rap Album was achieved for their production on "Do Your Time" featuring Beanie Sigel, C-Murder and the late Pimp C.cite web |url=http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=58740228 |title=About The Trak Starz-Producers |publisher=MySpace |date= |accessdate=2008-10-01]

After earning their first Grammy Award, The Trak Starz continued to focus on their label and promoting new artists on their Trak Starz Productions roster, including male rapper, Lil Tek and female R&B singer, Darra Dee. They also formed a joint venture with Grind Up/Asylum/Warner Bros. Records to release St. Louis’, Ludy.cite web |url=http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=58740228 |title=About The Trak Starz-Producers |publisher=MySpace |date= |accessdate=2008-10-01] In addition, The Trak Starz and their up and coming in-house production team, The Bakery, produced the hit "Pop, Lock, and Drop It” for Jive Records/HiTz Committee recording artist Huey.cite web |url=http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=58740228 |title=About The Trak Starz-Producers |publisher=MySpace |date= |accessdate=2008-10-01] They are also producing Trak Starz Records recording artist and St. Louis native Tydis' new album, "Sensation".

The Trak Starz have also been credited on Ludacris' "", Lyfe Jennings' "The Pheonix" and Ali & Gipps' "Kinfolk". In addition, they have worked with Nelly, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Pussycat Dolls, Pastor Troy and T.I., selling over 20 million records worldwide.cite web |url=http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=58740228 |title=About The Trak Starz-Producers |publisher=MySpace |date= |accessdate=2008-10-01]

References

External links

*MySpace|thetrakstarz