Poke and Tone
| Trackmasters | |
|---|---|
| Genres | Hip hop, hip hop soul, Contemporary R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Record Producers, Songwriters |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Labels | Trackmasters Entertainment, Columbia Records, Universal Music Group |
| Associated acts | Lil' Kim, Cory Rooney, L.E.S., Nas, N.O.R.E., Jay Z, Destiny's Child, Jennifer Lopez, 50 Cent, Foxy Brown, Puff Daddy, Will Smith, Allure, R. Kelly, Mary J. Blige, LL Cool J, Blaque |
| Members | Poke Tone Spanador Ace 21 |
| Past members | Frank "Nitty" Pimentel Alexander Richbourg |
The Trackmasters (also known as Poke & Tone) is an American hip hop production duo, composed of music producers Poke (Jean-Claude Olivier) and Tone (Samuel Barnes), best known for their commercial hit records in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Frank "Nitty" Pimentel joined forces with the duo to complete the success of "Trackmasters." Throughout their career they have worked with various hip-hop and R&B artists including Will Smith, R. Kelly, Nas, Jay-Z, Cam'ron, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, The Notorious B.I.G. and 50 Cent.
Known for their commercially successful singles and many remixes, they have earned collectively over 7 gold & 20 platinum plaques throughout their career. They were ranked 6th in Vibe Magazine's "Greatest Hip-Hop Producer of All Time" in the 'Mass Appeal' category.
In 1989, Poke connected with childhood friend Frank "Nitty" Pimentel at his recording studio in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. 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 Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. 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.
Puff Daddy had become an A&R 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 Kool G Rap, LL Cool J, Roxanne Shante and Big Daddy Kane, Trackmasters were signed to Columbia Records and were given their own imprint/vanity label Trackmasters Entertainment. At the time they were working with MC Serch of rap group 3rd Bass and Tone also had a side project on Select Records as a rapper under the name Red Hot Lover Tone.
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