Terror Squad Entertainment
Terror Squad is a hip hop record label founded by Fat Joe in The Bronx (New York). The label had been distributed by Atlantic, EMI, and Imperial, E1 (formerly Koch). Most recently, Fat Joe was granted distribution for Terror Squad releases through EMPIRE.
Terror Squad | |
---|---|
Parent company | Warner |
Founded | 1997 |
Founder | Fat Joe |
Status | Active |
Distributor(s) | Empire, Big Beat, Mystic |
Genre | Hip hop |
Country of origin | United States |
Location | The Bronx, New York, New York, U.S. |
History
Early Years (1997-1999)
Fat Joe decided to form Terror Squad Entertainment around late 1997 and began to use the label for mixtape releases until he officially formed the Terror Squad group in early 1998.
After being disappointed with the previous album sales at Relativity, Fat Joe would move the label to Atlantic. In 1998, Terror Squad debuted as a group on the track "The Hidden Hand" from Fat Joe's 3rd major label studio album Don Cartagena.[1] In 1998, Big Pun's debut album Capital Punishment was released through Loud and peaked at no.5 on The Billboard 200 music chart, and Fat Joe released Don Cartagena, which debuted at number 7 on the Billboard 200 chart. It was the first release under Terror Squad Entertainment. Capital Punishment featured the singles: "You Came Up" (featuring Noreaga), "I'm Not a Player", and "Still Not a Player", the latter peaking in the top 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. The singles helped Capital Punishment reach Platinum status in America. It would be the only recording studio album released in Big Pun's lifetime. Don Cartagena was certified Gold in America, and music videos were done for "John Blaze", "Don Cartagena", and "Bet Ya Man Can't (Triz)".
Terror Squad debut & Big Pun's Death
In 1999, Terror Squad released its debut album The Album. The album was somewhat successful and made a legit name for the group and the label. On February 7, 2000, Big Pun died, & his album Yeeeah Baby was released posthumously that year on April 4. He leaves behind his widow Liza Rios and 3 children. Yeeeah Baby featured the singles It's So Hard and 100%. In October 2017, the LP was certified Platinum in America.
Fat Joe released 2 more albums, Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.) in 2001 featuring the hit single "We Thuggin'" with R. Kelly. In 2002, Fat Joe released Loyalty. In 2004, Terror Squad released its second album True Story. In 2005, Fat Joe released All or Nothing.[2]
Later years & Signing of DJ Khaled (2005-present)
In September 2006, Fat Joe finalized a distribution deal for Terror Squad through Imperial Records and EMI.[3] "Make It Rain" featuring Lil Wayne was the debut single for Fat Joe's Me Myself & I. The label also released the debut album from DJ Khaled & PRO's Super Produced Listennn... the Album that year on Koch. The label followed the success of these two albums into 2007, which led to the 2nd album from DJ Khaled We The Best which featured the hit single "We Takin' Over", which had guest appearances from Akon, T.I., Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Baby, and Lil Wayne.
Discography
- 1998: Big Pun - Capital Punishment
- 1998: Fat Joe - Don Cartagena
- 1999: Terror Squad - The Album
- 2000: Big Pun - Yeeeah Baby
- 2001: Fat Joe - Jealous Ones Still Envy
- 2002: Fat Joe - Loyalty
- 2004: Terror Squad - True Story
- 2005: Fat Joe - All or Nothing
- 2006: Remy Ma - There's Something About Remy: Based on a True Story
- 2006: DJ Khaled - Listennn...the Album
- 2006: Fat Joe - Me, Myself & I
- 2007: DJ Khaled - We The Best
- 2008: Fat Joe - The Elephant in the Room
- 2008: DJ Khaled - We Global
- 2009: Fat Joe - Jealous Ones Still Envy 2
- 2010: Fat Joe - The Darkside Vol. 1
- 2011: Fat Joe - The Darkside Vol. 2
- 2013: Fat Joe - The Darkside Vol. 3
Artists
Former artists
- Big Pun (1997-2000) (Deceased)
- Cuban Link (1997-2000)
- Triple Seis (1997-2000)
- Prospect (1997-2006)
- Armageddon (1997-2005)
- Remy Ma (1999-2007)
- Tony Sunshine (1999-2006)
- DJ Khaled (2005-2009)
References
- Birchmeier, Jason. "Terror Squad > Biography". allmusic. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
- Prato, Greg. "Fat Joe > Biography". allmusic. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
- Reid, Shaheem (September 11, 2006). "'Fat Joe Is Signed To Fat Joe' — Newly Independent MC, Lil Wayne Shoot 'Rain' Video -Testing At 10:16". MTV News. Retrieved June 10, 2010.