The Trak Starz
The Trak Starz are an American hip hop songwriting and record production duo from St. Louis, composed of Alonzo "Zo" Lee Jr. and Shamar "Sham" Daugherty.
Biography
Prior to forming the Trak Starz in 2000, 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 produced 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. Soon after, the newly formed partners produced an album for Da Hol’ 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 Da Hol’ 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. The three began working on Chingy's solo album. According to Zo:Their first song was "Right Thurr", the overnight nationwide hit.
After securing a deal with Barry Hankerson's Blackground Records, the Trak Starz hoped to develop local artists from their Trak Starz Productions roster
2003–2004
By the end of 2003, the Track Starz had earned production credits on Ludacris' multi-platinum Chicken-n-Beer and Britney Spears' "Me Against the Music." They wrote and produced Houston's hit single "I Like That." They also earned a Diamond certification and a Grammy Award nomination for Album of the Year with their contributions on Usher's Confessions. Additional production credits would also include Chingy's Platinum certified Powerballin' and DreamWorks Shark Tale soundtrack.''Star Studded'' and side-projects
In 2005 the Trak Starz, now managed by Larry Rudolph of ReignDeer Entertainment, announced the release of their debut album titled Star Studded. The album's guest list was extensive, 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, the first official single titled "Take it Off," featured STL and T Deep, the first artists signed to the Trak Starz label. The album was never released.The Trak Starz kept working on other projects for Nas, Ludacris, E-40, Chingy and Janet Jackson.
''Release Therapy'' - present
In 2007 the Trak Starz earned 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.In addition, the Trak Starz produced the hit "Pop, Lock, and Drop It” for Jive Records/HiTz Committee recording artist Huey.