(Billboard June, 2025)
Independent music platform Create Music Group (CMG) has formed a joint venture with Star Trak Entertainment and its CO-founder Rob Walker, Billboard can exclusively report. Under the terms of the new partnership, CMG will provide worldwide distribution, technology and marketing services to Star Trak.
As noted in the press release announcing the agreement, the joint venture also doubles as the “official relaunch of one of music’s most iconic imprints.” Star Trak was established by The Neptunes, the production duo comprised of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, and Walker in 2001. Initially an imprint under Arista Records, Star Trak shifted to Virgin Records and then Interscope Geffen A&M Records before ending operations in 2015. The Star Trak roster included Clipse, N.E.R.D., Snoop Dogg, Kelis, Robin Thicke and Teyana Taylor. Among the hits the label released were Snoop Dogg and Williams'”Drop It Like It’s Hot,” Clipse’s “Grindin” by Clipse and N.E.R.D.’s “She Wants to Move.”
Beyond co-founding Star Trak, Walker also managed The Neptunes. His resumé includes a tenure as a talent agent at UTA. He also co-founded the Billionaire Boys Club and its Ice Cream clothing line with Williams and Japanese fashion designer Nigo.
About the new joint venture, Walker said in a statement, “This isn’t just about bringing Star Trak back,” said Walker in a statement. “it’s about building a new chapter rooted in where we’ve been and built for where we’re headed. The energy and vision that helped shape a generation is entering a new era. With Create as our partner, we’re giving artists the space to move differently, think bigger and tap into an ecosystem of brands and collaborators that Star Trak has cultivated over the years.”
“We are honored to partner with Rob as he kicks off the next chapter of Star Trak,” added Kyle Bartelman, director of global corporate development and M&A at Create Music Group. “Rob’s creative vision and industry experience will uniquely position our artists for success with their music and beyond.
We’re excited to have Star Trak join the CMG family, and we can’t wait to support Rob and the next wave of Star Trak talent.”
CMG also recently announced the launch of another joint venture with Ty Dolla $ign’s EZMNY Records, whose roster includes R&B artist Leon Thomas.
