Desert Storm Records


Desert Storm Records is an American record label founded by DJ and record producer DJ Clue?, record producer and music engineer Ken Duro Ifill, and DJ Clue?'s music manager Richard "Skane Dolla" Ford on May 5, 1998. The label was formerly distributed through Elektra and Atlantic Records, subsidiaries of Warner Music Group, and later Def Jam, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.

History

The label was launched on May 5, 1998 by record producer and DJ Clue?, music engineer and producer Ken Duro Ifill, and their business partner, Skane Dolla. Through his affiliation with Jay-Z, DJ Clue? signed a joint venture deal between Desert Storm, Jay-Z's Roc-a-Fella Records, and Roc-a-Fella's distributor, Def Jam Recordings. In 1998, Brooklyn, New York-based rapper Fabolous Sport was invited to rap live on DJ Clue?'s radio show, then on New York City's radio station Hot 97. Fabolous Sport performed over the instrumental to The Lox's song "Money, Power & Respect", and the following day, Clue? signed Fabolous Sport to Desert Storm as its second artist after Clue?. The label also signed Fabolous's brother and rapper Muggs, who would later be known by his real name Paul Cain, to the label that year. Desert Storm's first release was Clue?'s debut studio album, The Professional. The album was executive produced by Clue? And Duro, who also provided production on the album. Muggs and Fabolous Sport made their commercial debuts on it as well. The Professional peaked in the top 30 on the Billboard 200 but was certified platinum by the RIAA.
In February 2001, DJ Clue? released his second studio album, The Professional 2 through Island Def Jam, Roc-A-Fella, and Desert Storm. The album featured guest appearances from Fabolous and Muggs, while the majority of the album's production was done by Clue and Duro. Though not as successful as its predecessor, it debuted and peaked in the top 3 on the Billboard 200, later being certified gold by the RIAA.

Artists

  • DJ Clue
  • Fabolous
  • DJ Envy
  • Red Cafe
  • Muggs/Paul Cain

    Former

  • Thara Prashad
  • Joe Budden

    Discography

DJ Clue? - The Professional
  • Released: December 15, 1998
  • Chart positions: #26 U.S. Billboard 200
  • RIAA Certification: Platinum
DJ Clue - The Professional 2
  • Released: February 27, 2001
  • Chart positions: #3 U.S. Billboard 200
  • RIAA Certification: Gold
  • U.S. sales: 882,000
Fabolous - Ghetto Fabolous
  • Released: September 11, 2001
  • Chart positions: #4 U.S. Billboard 200
  • RIAA Certification: Platinum
  • U.S. sales: 143,180
  • Singles: "Can't Deny It", "Young'n", "Trade It All"
DJ Envy - The Desert Storm Mixtape: Blok Party, Vol. 1
Fabolous - Street Dreams
  • Released: March 4, 2003
  • Chart positions: #3 U.S. Billboard 200
  • RIAA Certification: Platinum
  • U.S. sales: 185,000
  • Singles: "This Is My Party", "Can't Let You Go", "Into You", "Trade It All "
Fabolous - More Street Dreams, Pt. 2: The Mixtape
  • Released: November 4, 2003
  • Chart positions: #28 U.S. Billboard 200
  • Singles: "Make U Mine", "Think Y'all Know"
Fabolous - Real Talk
  • Released: November 9, 2004
  • Chart positions: #6 U.S. Billboard 200
  • RIAA Certification: Gold
  • U.S. sales: 179,000
  • Singles: "Breathe", "Baby", "Do the Damn Thing", "Tit 4 Tat", "Round and Round"
DJ Clue - The Professional 3
  • Released: December 19, 2006
  • Chart positions: #73 U.S. Billboard 200
  • U.S. sales: 54,935
  • Singles: "Like This", "Really Wanna Know You"
Fabolous - From Nothin' to Somethin'
  • Released: June 12, 2007
  • Chart positions: #2 U.S. Billboard 200
  • RIAA Certification: Gold
  • U.S. sales: 159,000
  • Singles: "Diamonds", "Return of the Hustle", "Make Me Better", "Baby Don't Go"
Fabolous - Loso's Way
  • Released: July 28, 2009
  • Chart positions: #1 U.S. Billboard 200
  • RIAA Certification: Gold
  • U.S. sales: 199,000
  • Singles: "Throw It in the Bag", "My Time", "Everything, Everyday, Everywhere", "Money Goes, Honey Stay ", "Imma Do It"