287:. Soon after, Alex "Spanador" Mosely from the group Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam added the acoustic guitar and many other live instruments. The name Trackmasters originated from their first manager Andre S. Brownne. The original name was stylized as TrakMasterz, however in the mid 1990s it was changed and restructured by the new manager Steve Stoute to what is today.
283:, New York City. With Tone (known then as Red Hot Lover Tone), Pimentel helped Tone and Poke in learning the equipment as well as programming and sequencing on drum machines. Alex Richbourg became part of the team that same year as a musician. A few years later Alex Richbourg decided to move on and join forces with
834:
Since
Trackmasters expanded to a full production team, Tone emphasises the importance of layering instruments over samples to create a more full beat. "The key to big-sounding records is layering. If you can layer a sample with live instruments, you're taking your track to a level that, sonically, is
771:
The style of production which gained the
Trackmasters the most recognition was a mix of the traditional heavy hitting "boom-bap" style drums generally found in older hip-hop music, with a more modern influence involving the use of recognizable samples (often from 1980s pop hits), giving the overall
485:
Towards the late 1990s, a new commercial sound had emerged in the hip-hop scene. Sometimes referred to as the "Jiggy Era" or "Shiny Suit Era", it was characterized by upbeat instrumentals which featured samples of many recognizable 1980s hits. The
Trackmasters were in high demand from many record
696:
However, in 2007 the two joined together again and recruited more musicians and producers including
Russell "The ARE" Gonzales, Spanador, Frequency, Ace 21 and Just Nyce to reform Trackmasters from a duo to a full production team with songwriters and musicians, with Poke and Tone overseeing each
579:
feature on the song due to his popularity on the music charts at the time, so a new version was recorded and the 50 Cent verses were scrapped. This caused further tension between 50 and
Trackmasters, and also lead to a rift between then-friends, 50 Cent and Nas. The version of the Remix which
560:, 50 Cent was infamously shot nine times near his home in New York. Columbia Records forced Trackmasters to drop the artist from their label due to bad publicity surrounding the shooting, and as a result the album was shelved leading to a falling out between 50 and Poke & Tone.
653:, where again the duo handled the majority of the production. However, both albums were met with poor commercial and critical success, and as mainstream production was being handled by producers who relied less on samples and had a more synth-based keyboard sound such as
810:
As the mainstream trending sound started to change in the early 2000s, the
Trackmasters adopted new techniques into their production style. They characterised their newer beats with the use of a Spanish guitar sound used in beats such as
684:
After 2005, beats by the
Trackmasters were heard less in mainstream hip-hop and R&B, and Poke and Tone had disbanded and taken on new jobs; Poke as a television producer and Tone as the Executive Vice President of
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reached #3 on both the
Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B Singles charts and was certified platinum. The remix of "Loungin" became known by many as the quintessential version. The remix which features R&B group
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where they produced 10 of 13 songs and where Tone was credited as executive producer. This was followed up in 2004 by another collaboration album between the two called
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however, the song "Ain't Fuckin' With You" which they produced was only featured on the Deluxe
Edition as a bonus track. The team also worked on various tracks from
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featuring Poke & Tone as main producers. Although it was criticized for having a more mainstream or commercialized sound, it was highly successful, topping the
197:
outfit composed of Poke (Jean-Claude
Olivier) and Tone (Samuel Barnes). Active from the mid-late 1980s to the early 2000s, the group was more often known as a duo,
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on Aftermath Recordings with production shared between Trackmasters and Dre. However, the group disbanded after just one album and continued solo careers.
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at Uptown Records, and when he met up with the Trackmasters, it was rumored that he bought every beat they had made. After producing for artists such as
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labels for their ability to create radio-friendly records which were not deemed to be "selling out", and around this time they produced singles such as
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Known for their commercially successful singles and remixes, they have collectively earned over seven gold and 20 platinum certifications by the
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Despite being unable to break new artist 50 Cent to the mainstream, Poke & Tone continued to produce hits for established artists including
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project. The reformed group reportedly spent three months working at Battery Studios, leaving with over 230 completed songs ready to be sold.
772:
track a commercial, polished feel yet still retaining the traditional hip-hop sound. This style can be found in songs such as "I'll Be" by
431:" also helped the Trackmasters establish their position as prominent hip hop producers of that era. They also were heavily involved with
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and were given their own imprint/vanity label Trackmasters Entertainment. At the time they were working with MC Serch of rap group
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676:" (the second single of her debut album), Trackmasters were not highly regarded as the sought after producers they once were.
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to their Trackmasters imprint at Sony/Columbia Records and had produced the majority of what would have been his debut album
503:
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1347:
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345:
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394:". The album is also notable for Foxy Brown's musical debut on the single "I Shot Ya (remix)". "Hey Lover" featuring
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Also, layering different sounds has been a key technique used by the duo. It has been noted that Poke's version of "
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205:. Throughout their career, they have been credited on albums and singles for hip hop and R&B artists including
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going to surpass what most hip-hop producers are doing." This technique has been used on the song "Boyfriend" by
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803:" has a layered bassline over the sample, giving more rhythm and making it easier to dance to, as opposed to
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827:' "Damn", and frequently incorporated turntable scratches at the end of every 8 bars on beats including
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571:", which featured a then relatively unknown 50 Cent, was to be released as a single. However, Lopez and
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823:' "Money Is My Bitch". Additionally, they experimented with different percussion sounds as shown on
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201:; it was joined by now-former members Frank "Nitty" Pimentel, Alex Richberg and Curt Gowdy to form
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In 1989, Poke connected with childhood friend Frank "Nitty" Pimentel at his recording studio in
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657:, the Trackmasters sound became less popular. In 2005, they produced the track "Dunn Natt" (
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features 50 Cent can be heard online as it was leaked to radio before the official release.
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439:", producing the majority of the album including the hit singles "Get Me Home" featuring
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630:" were big contributors to making 2Pac's album sell more than three million copies.
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chart for a month straight and is Nas' best selling album to date. The two singles "
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magazine's "Greatest Hip-Hop Producers of All Time" in the 'Mass Appeal' category.
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831:'s "Im Gonna Be Alright (Trackmasters Remix)", and "Jenny From the Block".
1000:"Trackmasters Tell All: The Stories Behind Their Classic Records (Part 1)"
982:"From A Young G's Perspective.: Behind the Boards Pt. 1: The Trackmasters"
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Although they did produce some new music around the time, for example
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https://unkut.com/2015/10/download-a-salute-to-the-trackmasters/
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Capitalizing on recent success and taking advice from manager
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Also in 2001, Tone produced two hit singles for slain rapper
552:". However, three days before the filming of the video for "
1197:"I'm Gonna Be Alright (Trackmasters Remix) (Feat. 50 Cent)"
819:'s "Fiesta", "Pretty Girls" and "Get This Money", and also
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for her 2010 album including the songs "Shook Hands", and "
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510:'s "Did You Ever Think", and the Trackmasters Remix to
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1989−1995: Early career and Trackmasters Entertainment
1052:"25 Remixes That Made You Forget About The Original"
352:, as well as producing for other artists including
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105:
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376:In 1995, Trackmasters produced two major hits for
719:Since the group reformed, they have produced on
325:as a rapper under the name Red Hot Lover Tone.
928:"VIBE's Greatest Producer Of All Time Bracket"
1277:
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892:"Poke of Trackmasters Interview at Open Labs"
534:In 2000, Trackmasters signed upcoming rapper
8:
544:, which included the controversial singles "
328:Around this time, Poke had also worked with
31:
1030:Recording Industry Association of America
258:Recording Industry Association of America
1091:"Revolutionary But Clubbing: Jiggy Era"
872:
410:In 1996, Nas released his second album
1433:Record producers from New York (state)
1344:"New Lil Kim Produced By Trackmasters"
1209:from the original on December 21, 2021
1025:"Hey Lover, RIAA Gold & Platinum"
7:
1128:"Ricky Martin - Livin' La Vida Loca"
321:and Tone also had a side project on
1256:. November 30, 2004. Archived from
849:Trackmasters production discography
563:In 2001, the Trackmasters Remix to
429:If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)
1418:Musical groups established in 1989
1403:Musical duos from New York (state)
1378:American music industry executives
443:and "I'll Be" which also featured
25:
1413:Musical groups from New York City
1373:American hip hop record producers
1368:African-American record producers
1308:"Trackmasters Reformed Interview"
1070:"Trackmasters Production Credits"
727:on the song "Boyfriend", and on
639:, a collaboration album between
633:In 2002, Trackmasters worked on
1283:"Hip-Hop News, Rap Music - XXL"
575:decided they would rather have
29:American hip hop production duo
622:. Tone's remixed versions of "
313:, Trackmasters were signed to
1:
1408:African-American musical duos
743:. They also worked on rapper
372:1995−2000: Commercial success
674:If It's Lovin' That You Want
611:'s R&B number 1 single "
332:to produce the hit singles "
530:2000−2005: Columbia Records
478:, the group released their
458:created hip-hop supergroup
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1428:American songwriting teams
1110:"The Best of Trackmasters"
986:Bristolbigboy.blogspot.com
846:
788:and "The Roof (Remix)" by
595:'s "You Rock My World ", "
546:Ghetto Qu'ran (Forgive Me)
260:. They were ranked 6th in
150:Poke (Jean-Claude Olivier)
122:Trackmasters Entertainment
1423:East Coast hip hop groups
1388:Universal Records artists
1326:"Trackmasters New Member"
1114:Harlemworld.wordpress.com
700:They recorded songs with
680:2005−present: Reformation
285:Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
1383:Columbia Records artists
1254:"Universal Music Group"
839:with the piano sounds.
636:The Best of Both Worlds
556:", which also featured
1438:Record production duos
1179:"Newsweek 50 Cent Bio"
173:Frank "Nitty" Pimentel
1393:American hip hop duos
1350:on December 10, 2008.
1229:"Best of Both Worlds"
1185:on February 14, 2005.
780:, "Street Dreams" by
691:Universal Music Group
624:Until The End Of Time
58:, New York City, U.S.
1260:on November 30, 2004
1093:. February 24, 2008.
898:on October 13, 2007.
860:Trackmasters Remixes
784:, "Just Crusin'" by
613:Jenny from the Block
569:I'm Gonna Be Alright
462:which also included
403:peaked at #3 on the
338:The Notorious B.I.G.
336:" and "Respect" for
247:The Notorious B.I.G.
153:Tone (Samuel Barnes)
1205:. October 5, 2008.
733:Theater of the Mind
650:Unfinished Business
541:Power of the Dollar
516:Livin' la Vida Loca
454:, Trackmasters and
281:Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
176:Alexander Richbourg
1332:on April 14, 2008.
988:. January 7, 2010.
628:Letter 2 My Unborn
474:. Teaming up with
195:hip hop production
1398:American remixers
1314:on March 3, 2016.
1116:. April 11, 2010.
735:with the single "
518:" which featured
504:Wishing on a Star
193:, is an American
183:
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16:(Redirected from
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1346:. Archived from
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767:Production style
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315:Columbia Records
189:, also known as
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847:Main article:
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829:Jennifer Lopez
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755:'s 2009 album
747:'s 2008 album
737:One More Drink
723:'s 2008 album
714:Charlie Wilson
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609:Jennifer Lopez
565:Jennifer Lopez
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413:It Was Written
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323:Select Records
311:Big Daddy Kane
307:Roxanne Shante
293:had become an
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1348:the original
1338:
1330:the original
1320:
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1302:
1290:. Retrieved
1286:
1262:. Retrieved
1258:the original
1248:
1236:. Retrieved
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1211:. Retrieved
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1183:the original
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936:. Retrieved
932:Rapradar.com
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896:the original
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790:Mariah Carey
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739:" featuring
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708:" featuring
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655:The Neptunes
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573:Epic Records
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512:Ricky Martin
496:Men in Black
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452:Steve Stoute
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381:
375:
327:
289:
278:
262:
255:
243:Mariah Carey
203:Trackmasters
202:
198:
190:
187:Trackmasters
186:
184:
166:Past members
111:1989–present
107:Years active
75:hip hop soul
36:Trackmasters
26:
1132:Discogs.com
1056:Complex.com
1004:Complex.com
968:Discogs.com
914:Discogs.com
843:Discography
753:Wiz Khalifa
663:Vanilla Ice
480:debut album
441:Blackstreet
396:Boyz II Men
366:Faith Evans
342:debut album
98:songwriters
89:Occupations
1362:Categories
1287:Xxlmag.com
1264:August 27,
1213:August 27,
1158:Eminem.net
1075:August 27,
1036:August 27,
964:"Poke (2)"
867:References
786:Will Smith
774:Foxy Brown
725:All I Feel
550:How to Rob
488:Will Smith
464:Foxy Brown
433:Foxy Brown
362:Method Man
330:Puff Daddy
299:Kool G Rap
291:Puff Daddy
227:Will Smith
1292:April 26,
1238:April 26,
1163:April 26,
1154:"50 Cent"
1138:April 26,
1009:April 26,
938:April 26,
805:Pete Rock
794:Mobb Deep
659:Done That
626:" & "
585:LL Cool J
554:Thug Love
437:Ill Na Na
419:Billboard
407:Hot 100.
405:Billboard
388:Hey Lover
383:Mr. Smith
380:from his
378:LL Cool J
303:LL Cool J
219:LL Cool J
131:Universal
1207:Archived
825:Fabolous
813:R. Kelly
745:The Game
729:Ludacris
706:Download
702:Lil' Kim
645:R. Kelly
601:R. Kelly
589:Paradise
508:R. Kelly
460:The Firm
386:album: "
346:Be Happy
319:3rd Bass
215:R. Kelly
126:Columbia
56:Brooklyn
1202:YouTube
687:A&R
670:Rihanna
661:) with
548:" and "
536:50 Cent
524:Fat Joe
520:Big Pun
494:" and "
476:Dr. Dre
427:" and "
392:Loungin
390:" and "
354:Heavy D
344:, and "
295:A&R
270:History
251:50 Cent
235:Cam'ron
144:Members
80:R&B
70:Hip hop
1134:. 1999
862:(2008)
854:Albums
741:T-Pain
710:T-Pain
607:, and
597:Fiesta
472:Nature
348:" for
116:Labels
63:Genres
52:Origin
837:Ray J
817:Jay-Z
801:Juicy
778:Jay-Z
721:Ray J
641:Jay-Z
605:Jay-Z
599:" by
500:Jay-Z
492:Miami
445:Jay-Z
401:Total
334:Juicy
231:Jay-Z
1294:2020
1266:2020
1240:2020
1215:2020
1165:2020
1140:2020
1077:2020
1038:2020
1011:2020
940:2020
815:and
792:and
776:and
761:Vado
712:and
672:'s "
643:and
620:2Pac
603:and
587:'s "
567:'s "
522:and
514:'s "
502:'s "
490:'s "
470:and
364:and
309:and
263:Vibe
249:and
185:The
821:Nas
782:Nas
749:LAX
689:at
615:".
591:",
577:Nas
506:",
498:",
456:Nas
421:200
340:'s
211:Nas
1364::
1285:.
1274:^
1231:.
1199:.
1156:.
1130:.
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1099:^
1054:.
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1002:.
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930:.
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468:AZ
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20:)
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