Full Surface Records

Full Surface is a record label founded in 2001, by American hip hop recording artist and record producer Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean. With the help of his protégé, Cassidy, who was the 1st artist signed, the label was established. 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.

Full Surface Records
Parent company	Warner, Sony, Universal
Founded	2001
Founder	Kasseem Dean
Distributor(s)	Atlantic (In the US) WEA International Inc. (Outside the US)
Genre	Hip hop, R&B
Country of origin	United States
Location	New York City, New York

History

In 2001, Philadelphia-based battle rapper Cassidy, was the 1st artist to sign a recording contract with Full Surface. His March 2004 debut major label studio album Split Personality was certified Gold in America in April 2004. In 2002, it was announced Swizz Beatz signed Southern rapper Yung Wun, to the label. In a January 2003 interview with AllHipHop, Swizz Beatz said: "My new label [Full Surface] is 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."

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 2005, DMX was about to sign to Full Surface but chose Sony Urban Music instead. 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.

Artists

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

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.

Artist	Album	Details
Swizz Beatz	Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories (released with Ruff Ryders and DreamWorks)	Released: December 10, 2002 Chart position: 50 U.S. Singles: "Guilty", "Bigger Business"
Cassidy	Split Personality	Released: March 16, 2004 Chart position: 2 U.S. Singles: "Hotel", "Get No Better" RIAA certification: Gold
Yung Wun	The Dirtiest Thirstiest	Released: December 7, 2004 Chart position: — Singles: "Yung Wun Anthem", "Tear It Up", "Walk It, Talk It"
Cassidy	I'm a Hustla	Released: June 28, 2005 Chart position: 5 U.S. Singles: "I'm a Hustla", "B-Boy Stance"
Mashonda	January Joy	Released: November 9, 2005 Chart position: Singles: "Back of da Club", "Blackout"
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony	Strength & Loyalty (released with Interscope)	Released: May 8, 2007 Chart position: 2 U.S. Singles: "I Tried", "Lil' L.O.V.E."
Swizz Beatz	One Man Band Man (released with Universal Motown)	Released: August 21, 2007 Chart position: 7 U.S. Singles: "It's Me Bitches", "Money in the Bank", "Top Down"
Cassidy	B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story	Released: November 6, 2007 Chart position: 10 U.S. Singles: "My Drink n My 2 Step", "Innocent Man (Misunderstood)"

External links

• Full Surface Records Archived 2004-06-06 at the Wayback Machine