Full Surface

Full Surface is a record label founded in 2001, by American hip hop recording artist and record producer Swizz Beatz. The label used to operate through Sony's J and through Universal's Interscope, Motown and Universal Motown. However, the label also had released material through joint ventures with other companies outside the Sony BMG group.

History

The label was launched in 2001 in a joint venture deal with Clive Davis's J Records, which was under BMG. The first artist signed to the label was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based battle rapper Cassidy, who was affiliated with Ruff Ryders from being discovered by Swizz Beatz's father and as a member of Larsiny signed to Ruff Ryders's subsidiary label TD Entertainment. Other artists signed to the label after its launching were Mashonda, Swizz Beatz's partner, and Ruff Ryders artist Yung Wun. In a January 2003 interview with AllHipHop, Swizz Beatz said: "My new label ull Surfaceis on its way, by storm. We are moving like the army on the creep. I wanted something new so I got a mix of talent – Bounty Killa, Cassidy, Mashonda, Yung Wun, Big Tigg and Mr. Sweat – with me the beat man." Despite the affiliations of Bounty Killa, Big Tigger, and Keith Sweat, they were never officially signed to the label.

In March 2004, Full Surface released Cassidy's debut studio album, '' Split Personality''. The lead single from the album was ''Hotel'', and the second single was ''Get No Better'' (featuring Mashonda). Hotel peaked in the top 5 on the ''Billboard Hot 100'', while the album peaked in the top 3 on the ''Billboard 200'' and was certified gold in America in one month. In December of that year, rapper Yung Wun released his debut studio album, '' The Dirtiest Thirstiest''. The album was supported by Yung Wun's biggest single, '' Tear It Up'', which peaked in the top 80 in the ''Billboard Hot 100''. ''The Dirtiest Thirstiest'' failed to make an impact on the charts, and by 2006 Yung Wun was dropped from J and Full Surface.

In 2005, Cleveland-based rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, signed with Full Surface and secured a distribution deal with Interscope, the following year. In January 2006, it was revealed that DMX was about to sign to Full Surface but chose Sony Urban Music instead. "He felt like the situation wasn't complementing him," Swizz explained of DMX not singing to Full Surface. "He just wasn't comfortable with the situation. It was just a whole mix up." In April 2006, it was announced Ruff Ryders alumni Eve, signed a joint venture deal with Full Surface and Dr. Dre's Aftermath. Eve went on to release the singles "Tambourine" and " Give It to You". In October 2007, it was announced another Ruff Ryders alumni, Drag-On, signed a record deal with Full Surface.

Roster

Artists
*Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
* Cassidy
* Drag-On
*Eve
* Mashonda
* Rich Hil
*Swizz Beatz
*Yung Wun

Executives
* Swizz Beatz (Founder, CEO, executive producer)
* Grady Spivey (A&R)
* Ashaunna Ayars (General Manager)
* Terrence Dean (Management)

DJs and producers

*The Individualz - A group of music producers, composed of Avenue, Joe Bravo and Jose, who have produced songs for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Swizz Beatz, 50 Cent, Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige.
*Neo da Matrix - A producer from Philadelphia. Also signed to Ruff Ryders Entertainment and was signed with Roc-A-Fella Records.
*Snags - A producer who has produced songs for Swizz Beatz and Jadakiss.
*Swizz Beatz

Discography

* All releases distributed by J Records, unless otherwise noted.

References

External links

Full Surface Records

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Record labels established in 2001
American record labels
American hip-hop record labels
Vanity record labels
Warner Music labels
Atlantic Records
Contemporary R&B record labels