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. Universal Music Group (UMG) is the largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry. ... For other persons named Charles Hugo, see Charles Hugo (disambiguation). ... Pharrell Williams (born April 5, 1973) is an American producer, singer, rapper,and songwriter. ... Interscope Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as one third of UMGs Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group. ... Hip hop music is a style of music which came into existence in the United States during the mid-1970s, and became a large part of modern pop culture during the 1980s. ... In the music industry, a record label can be a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... Hip hop music is a style of music which came into existence in the United States during the mid-1970s, and became a large part of modern pop culture during the 1980s. ... For other persons named Charles Hugo, see Charles Hugo (disambiguation). ... Pharrell Williams (born April 5, 1973) is an American producer, singer, rapper,and songwriter. ... See also: 2002 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2002 Record labels established in 2002 // 2002 was marked by significant trends in rock music. ... Interscope Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as one third of UMGs Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group. ... Universal Music Group (UMG) is the largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry. ...

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, and N.E.R.D.. 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.. The Neptunes is the name for the record production duo consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, who created the sound for some very successful Hip Hop, R&B and Pop artists in the late-90s and 2000s. ... Pharrell Williams (born April 5, 1973) is an American producer, singer, rapper,and songwriter. ... For other persons named Charles Hugo, see Charles Hugo (disambiguation). ... Arista redirects here. ... Clipse is a Virginia based (via The Bronx) hip hop duo. ... Lord Willin is the debut album from Virginia hip hop duo Clipse. ... Look up grind in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... When the Last Time is the 2nd official single from the Clipses album Lord Willin. The song features Pharrell and Kelis. ... Kelis Rogers-Jones (née Rogers, born August 21, 1979[1]), better known as Kelis, is an American R&B singer-songwriter. ... Vanessa Marquez is an American R&B singer, currently unsigned. ... Fam-Lay is a rapper from Norfolk, Virginia. ... N*E*R*D or N.E.R.D is the name of a rock band consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of The Neptunes and their friend Shay Haley. ... The Neptunes Presents. ... Tasty is the third album by R&B artist Kelis, released in 2003. ... Milkshake is a pop/R&B song written and produced by The Neptunes for American singer Keliss third studio album Tasty (2003). ... Virgin Records was a British recording label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, and Nik Powell in 1972. ... Fly or Die is the second and last album for funk rock band N.E.R.D consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of production team the Neptunes and their friend Shay released on March 23, 2004. ... N*E*R*D or N.E.R.D is the name of a rock band consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of The Neptunes and their friend Shay Haley. ...

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." For other uses, see EMI (disambiguation). ... Doggystyle Records (originally Dogghouse Records) is a record label founded by Snoop Dogg at the end of his self-described servitude at Master Ps No Limit Records. ... Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. ... Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as one third of UMGs Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group. ... Drop It Like Its Hot is a 2004 hip-hop number-one hit single by Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell. ... Houston redirects here. ... Stayve Jerome Thomas (born September 8, 1980 in Houston, Texas) better known by his stage name Slim Thug, is an American rapper. ... Already Platinum is an album by American rapper Slim Thug released in June 2005. ... Like A Boss is the first official single from Slim Thugs first album Already Platinum. ...

Decline

After the release of Slim Thug's album, Geffen Records was partially asordbed 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. Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as one third of UMGs Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group. ... Interscope Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as one third of UMGs Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group. ... Kenna is an Ethiopian-born American musician. ... Robin Alan Thicke (born March 10, 1977) is an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, musician, composer, and occasional actor. ...

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 sophomore 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 sophomore 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 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 are to come from N*E*R*D, Teyana Taylor, Robin Thicke and Chester French. In My Mind is the first solo album by American rapper, singer and producer Pharrell Williams. ... Can I Have It like That is the debut single from Pharrells debut album, In My Mind. ... Gwen Renée Stefani (born October 3, 1969) (pronounced [1]), is an American singer, songwriter, fashion designer, and occasional actress. ... Number One or number one is used in a variety of meanings: // 1 (number) Number One (song), a single by rapper Nelly Number Ones, an album by Michael Jackson Number One (Pist. ... Kanye Omari West (pronounced /kɑnjɛj/) (born June 8, 1977) is an American record producer and rapper who rose to fame in the mid 2000s. ... The Evolution of Robin Thicke is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Robin Thicke, released by Star Trak/Interscope records on October 3, 2006 (see 2006 in music). ... Lost Without U is the second official single released from Robin Thickes sophomore album The Evolution of Robin Thicke (2006). ... Clipse is a Virginia based (via The Bronx) hip hop duo. ... Hell Hath No Fury is the oft-delayed second album from the Virginia hip hop duo Clipse. ... Mr. ... Columbia Records is the oldest brand name in recorded sound, dating back to 1888, and was the first record company to produce pre-recorded records as opposed to blank cylinders. ... Kenna is an Ethiopian-born American musician. ... Make Sure They See My Face is the second album by Kenna. ...

Current Roster

Artists

• Fam-Lay
• Rosco P. Coldchain
• Pharrell
• N.E.R.D
• Robin Thicke
• Kenna
• Chester French
• Teyana
• Sergio Veneno a.k.a. Jack Venom
• Natasha Ramos

Fam-Lay is a rapper from Norfolk, Virginia. ... Roscoe P. Coldchain (born Amin Porter) is an American rapper from North Philadelphia, Pa. ... Pharrell Williams (born April 5, 1973) is an American producer, singer, rapper, and songwriter. ... This article is about the band. ... Robin Alan Thicke (born March 10, 1977) is an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, musician, composer, and occasional actor. ... This article is about the musician. ...

Affilliated artists

• Gwen Stefani
• Justin Timberlake
• Snoop Dogg
• Slim Thug
• Starrset

Gwen Renée Stefani (born October 3, 1969) (pronounced [1]), is an American singer, songwriter, fashion designer, and occasional actress. ... Justin Randall Timberlake (born January 31, 1981[1]), sometimes known as JT, is an American pop and R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actor. ... Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. ... Stayve Jerome Thomas (born September 8, 1980 in Houston, Texas) better known by his stage name Slim Thug, is an American rapper. ...

Former artists

• Clipse
• Kelis
• Vanessa Marquez

Clipse is a Virginia based (via The Bronx) hip hop duo. ... Kelis Rogers-Jones (née Rogers, born August 21, 1979[1]), better known as Kelis, is an American R&B singer-songwriter. ... Vanessa Marquez is an American R&B singer, currently unsigned. ...

Discography

Albums