Shade Sheist
Encyclopedia
Tramayne Thompson primarily known by his stage name Shade Sheist, is an American songwriter and recording artist from Inglewood, California
. He began his career in 2000 by contributing the single "Where I Wanna Be
" to a compilation executive produced by himself and local producer Damizza. After writing and recording tracks for other artists, television/film and video game soundtracks, Shade Sheist released his debut album Informal Introduction
, featuring Where I Wanna Be
in 2002 under Universal Records
.
and grew up in both Inglewood and neighboring city South Los Angeles
. He started writing music around the age of 10 and formed a performing group with his best friends that won first and second place prizes at local talent shows produced by ASCAP. He worked with producers Johnny J, Howie Hersh and Ronnie King
on his early recordings. He performed from 1994 to 1999 as Shady Montage, signed to Hollywood Records
. Two singles he released under this moniker, Shake You Down and Leaving You Again (both hip hop interpolations of older r&b compositions) were well-received and aired on major market radio stations nationally. At one point during this period he became label mates and recorded with Biggie Smalls (the artist who caused the late Christopher Wallace to change his stage name to The Notorious B.I.G.
) As a teen he appeared in several music videos including 2Pac's So Many Tears and South Circle's Attitudes. Sheist graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School in 1997.
's triple platinum-selling album Rule 3:36
. Additionally, Sheist met Los Angeles-based producer Damizza (real name Damion Young), who worked as senior director for artist relations at Los Angeles hip-hop station Power 106 (KPWR
) and released a various-artists compilation titled Where I Wanna Be. Sheist, Kurupt
and Nate Dogg
performed the title single, which peaked at #60 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart but at #1 on the Hot Rap Singles. Shade Sheist and Nate Dogg collaborated together again on the track Cali Diseaz on the soundtrack to the 2001 film The Fast and the Furious
. Damizza recorded the track "Bad News" with Shade Sheist and N.U.N.E. for the soundtrack to the short-lived Fox television drama Dark Angel
.
In 2002, Sheist released his debut album Informal Introduction through a deal between MCA Records
and his own Baby Ree label. Informal Introduction featured production by Timbaland
, DJ Quik
, Damizza and Kay Gee
of Naughty By Nature
. The singles included Money Owners (with Timbaland
), Wake Up (with Nate Dogg
and Warren G
), and John Doe (with DJ Quik
, AMG
, Hi-C
& Swift). The Where I Wanna Be
music video featured cameos from N.U.N.E., TQ, Irv Gotti, Ja Rule
and The D.O.C.
The Money Owners music video featured a special appearance from Dr. Dre
, who worked in the studio room next door to Sheist during the recording of the "Informal Introduction" album. Shade Sheist stated that Dr. Dre was a big help during the creation of his debut album.
The Los Angeles Times
asserted that Power 106 played Shade Sheist singles more than any other urban radio station in the U.S. and reported that Peter Hart of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting
brought up conflict of interest
issues given that Emmis Communications
funded both the radio station and Sheist's label Baby Ree. Power 106 decided to disclose its ties to Sheist after the Times brought up the issue. Emmis president Rick Cummings stated that his station played Sheist's music based on listener tastes.
Sheist returned in 2004 with the single What Would You Do featuring Nate Dogg
and Mariah Carey
. The track appeared on Sheist's second album Before The Waitin Before The Hatin which originally released in 2005 and re-released in late 2006 with new tracks included. In 2008, Sheist, N.U.N.E. and other associate rappers from the PYO Entertainment International label toured the world.
In 2010, Shade Sheist released a new album with N.U.N.E., Movin Units which was his first original studio release in 4 years. The album featured the single Movin Like a Boss which spawned several international remixes. On May 31, 2011 Shade Sheist released a new single worldwide titled "Queen," featuring LaToiya Williams.
Inglewood, California
Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. Its population stood at 109,673 as of the 2010 Census...
. He began his career in 2000 by contributing the single "Where I Wanna Be
Where I Wanna Be (Shade Sheist song)
"Where I Wanna Be" is the debut single by American songwriter and recording artist Shade Sheist. The song features Nate Dogg and Kurupt on additional vocals...
" to a compilation executive produced by himself and local producer Damizza. After writing and recording tracks for other artists, television/film and video game soundtracks, Shade Sheist released his debut album Informal Introduction
Informal Introduction
Informal Introduction is the debut album by Shade Sheist, released on September 10, 2002 through MCA Records.Due to little promotion, the album was not a commercial success, only reaching No. 69 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums...
, featuring Where I Wanna Be
Where I Wanna Be (Shade Sheist song)
"Where I Wanna Be" is the debut single by American songwriter and recording artist Shade Sheist. The song features Nate Dogg and Kurupt on additional vocals...
in 2002 under Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
.
Early life and career
Sheist was born in Inglewood, CaliforniaInglewood, California
Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. Its population stood at 109,673 as of the 2010 Census...
and grew up in both Inglewood and neighboring city South Los Angeles
South Los Angeles
South Los Angeles, often abbreviated as South L.A. and formerly South Central Los Angeles, is the official name for a large geographic and cultural portion lying to the southwest and southeast of downtown Los Angeles, California. The area was formerly called South Central, and is still widely known...
. He started writing music around the age of 10 and formed a performing group with his best friends that won first and second place prizes at local talent shows produced by ASCAP. He worked with producers Johnny J, Howie Hersh and Ronnie King
Ronnie King
Ronnie King is a musician, producer, and co-owner of Blue Label Records with Sean Couevas. He says of himself, "Sometimes I feel like this generation's Billy Preston."-Credits include:* 2Pac, keyboards on Still I Rise, Until the End of Time...
on his early recordings. He performed from 1994 to 1999 as Shady Montage, signed to Hollywood Records
Hollywood Records
Hollywood Records is an American record label owned by Disney Music Group, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.-History:Hollywood Records was founded in 1989 by then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner with the idea of expanding the music operations of the company and to develop and promote...
. Two singles he released under this moniker, Shake You Down and Leaving You Again (both hip hop interpolations of older r&b compositions) were well-received and aired on major market radio stations nationally. At one point during this period he became label mates and recorded with Biggie Smalls (the artist who caused the late Christopher Wallace to change his stage name to The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Latore Wallace , best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper. He was also known as Biggie Smalls , Big Poppa, and The Black Frank White .Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough...
) As a teen he appeared in several music videos including 2Pac's So Many Tears and South Circle's Attitudes. Sheist graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School in 1997.
Music career
He first performed commercially as Shade Sheist in 2000 on the song If You Were My Bitch from the gold-selling compilation Irv Gotti Presents: The Murderers. That year, he also appeared on the song It's Your Life from Ja RuleJa Rule
Jeffrey Atkins , better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper, singer, and actor.Born in Hollis, Queens, he began his career in the group Cash Money Click and debuted in 1999 with Venni Vetti Vecci and its single "Holla Holla"...
's triple platinum-selling album Rule 3:36
Rule 3:36
-Chart positions:-References:...
. Additionally, Sheist met Los Angeles-based producer Damizza (real name Damion Young), who worked as senior director for artist relations at Los Angeles hip-hop station Power 106 (KPWR
KPWR
KPWR is a commercial radio station located in Los Angeles, California, broadcasting to the Greater Los Angeles area on an analog signal and in HD Radio...
) and released a various-artists compilation titled Where I Wanna Be. Sheist, Kurupt
Kurupt
Ricardo Emmanuel Brown , better known by his stage name Kurupt, also known as Kurupt Tha Kingpin, Kurupt Young Gotti or Young Gotstra is an American rapper and former Executive Vice President of Death Row Records...
and Nate Dogg
Nate Dogg
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale , better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk...
performed the title single, which peaked at #60 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart but at #1 on the Hot Rap Singles. Shade Sheist and Nate Dogg collaborated together again on the track Cali Diseaz on the soundtrack to the 2001 film The Fast and the Furious
The Fast and the Furious (2001 film)
The Fast and the Furious is a 2001 street racing action film starring Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster. Directed by Rob Cohen, The Fast and the Furious was the first mainstream film to feature the Asian automotive import scene in North America. It is the first film...
. Damizza recorded the track "Bad News" with Shade Sheist and N.U.N.E. for the soundtrack to the short-lived Fox television drama Dark Angel
Dark Angel (soundtrack)
Dark Angel is the soundtrack to the television series, Dark Angel. It was released on April 23, 2002 through Artemis Records and consisted of hip hop and R&B...
.
In 2002, Sheist released his debut album Informal Introduction through a deal between MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
and his own Baby Ree label. Informal Introduction featured production by Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
, DJ Quik
DJ Quik
David Martin Blake , better known by his stage name DJ Quik, is an MC and record producer. According to Quik himself, his stage name reflects his ability to produce records in short time....
, Damizza and Kay Gee
Kay Gee
Kay Gee may refer to:* Kay Gee , Indian cinematograper, see Silsila, Deewar* Kier Gist, or Kay Gee, member of Naughty by Nature-See also:*K-Gee, British music producer and songwriter*Kay Gees, funk and disco band...
of Naughty By Nature
Naughty by Nature
Naughty by Nature are a Grammy Award-winning American hip hop trio from East Orange, New Jersey that at the time of its formation in 1989 consisted of Treach, Vin Rock, and the DJ Kay Gee...
. The singles included Money Owners (with Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
), Wake Up (with Nate Dogg
Nate Dogg
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale , better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk...
and Warren G
Warren G
Warren G , is an American West Coast rapper and hip hop producer. He is also Dr. Dre's half-brother.His biggest hit is the song "Regulate" with Nate Dogg released in 1994...
), and John Doe (with DJ Quik
DJ Quik
David Martin Blake , better known by his stage name DJ Quik, is an MC and record producer. According to Quik himself, his stage name reflects his ability to produce records in short time....
, AMG
AMG (rapper)
Jason Lewis better known by his stage name AMG, is a rapper from Cleveland, Ohio who later moved to Inglewood, California...
, Hi-C
Hi-C (rapper)
Hi-C is an American rap artist. He has collaborated with DJ Quik and AMG.-Singles:*I'm Not Your Puppet *Leave My Curl Alone *Sittin In The Park *Got It Like That *Let Me Know...
& Swift). The Where I Wanna Be
Where I Wanna Be (Shade Sheist song)
"Where I Wanna Be" is the debut single by American songwriter and recording artist Shade Sheist. The song features Nate Dogg and Kurupt on additional vocals...
music video featured cameos from N.U.N.E., TQ, Irv Gotti, Ja Rule
Ja Rule
Jeffrey Atkins , better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper, singer, and actor.Born in Hollis, Queens, he began his career in the group Cash Money Click and debuted in 1999 with Venni Vetti Vecci and its single "Holla Holla"...
and The D.O.C.
The D.O.C.
Tracy Lynn Curry , primarily known by his stage name The D.O.C., is an American rapper from Dallas, Texas. In addition to a solo career, he was a member of the hip hop group Fila Fresh Crew, and a creative force behind the gangsta rap group N.W.A, where he co-wrote many of their releases. He has...
The Money Owners music video featured a special appearance from Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, who worked in the studio room next door to Sheist during the recording of the "Informal Introduction" album. Shade Sheist stated that Dr. Dre was a big help during the creation of his debut album.
The Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
asserted that Power 106 played Shade Sheist singles more than any other urban radio station in the U.S. and reported that Peter Hart of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting
Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting
Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting is a progressive media criticism organization based in New York City, founded in 1986.FAIR describes itself on its website as "the national media watch group" and defines its mission as working to "invigorate the First Amendment by advocating for greater diversity...
brought up conflict of interest
Conflict of interest
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual or organization is involved in multiple interests, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation for an act in the other....
issues given that Emmis Communications
Emmis Communications
Emmis Communications is a media conglomerate based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company owns radio stations and magazines in the United States, Hungary, Slovakia and Bulgaria.-History:...
funded both the radio station and Sheist's label Baby Ree. Power 106 decided to disclose its ties to Sheist after the Times brought up the issue. Emmis president Rick Cummings stated that his station played Sheist's music based on listener tastes.
Sheist returned in 2004 with the single What Would You Do featuring Nate Dogg
Nate Dogg
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale , better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk...
and Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
. The track appeared on Sheist's second album Before The Waitin Before The Hatin which originally released in 2005 and re-released in late 2006 with new tracks included. In 2008, Sheist, N.U.N.E. and other associate rappers from the PYO Entertainment International label toured the world.
In 2010, Shade Sheist released a new album with N.U.N.E., Movin Units which was his first original studio release in 4 years. The album featured the single Movin Like a Boss which spawned several international remixes. On May 31, 2011 Shade Sheist released a new single worldwide titled "Queen," featuring LaToiya Williams.
Albums
| Year | Title | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
U.S. Heat Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
||
| 2002 | Informal Introduction Informal Introduction Informal Introduction is the debut album by Shade Sheist, released on September 10, 2002 through MCA Records.Due to little promotion, the album was not a commercial success, only reaching No. 69 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums...
|
69 | 20 |
| 2006 | Before the Waitin' Before the Hatin'
|
||
| 2008 | Informal Introduction OG
|
||
| 2010 | Movin Units
|
||
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
U.S. R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
U.S. Rap Hot Rap Tracks Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single... |
UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
|||
| 2000 | "Where I Wanna Be Where I Wanna Be (Shade Sheist song) "Where I Wanna Be" is the debut single by American songwriter and recording artist Shade Sheist. The song features Nate Dogg and Kurupt on additional vocals... " (featuring Nate Dogg Nate Dogg Nathaniel Dwayne Hale , better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk... and Kurupt Kurupt Ricardo Emmanuel Brown , better known by his stage name Kurupt, also known as Kurupt Tha Kingpin, Kurupt Young Gotti or Young Gotstra is an American rapper and former Executive Vice President of Death Row Records... ) |
22 | 49 | 1 | 14 | Informal Introduction |
| 2002 | "Money Owners" (featuring Timbaland) | — | 81 | — | — | |
Other charted songs
| Year | Title | Chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
||
| 2002 | "Wake Up" (featuring Nate Dogg and Warren G Warren G Warren G , is an American West Coast rapper and hip hop producer. He is also Dr. Dre's half-brother.His biggest hit is the song "Regulate" with Nate Dogg released in 1994... ) |
53 |
| 2003 | "John Doe" (featuring DJ Quik, Hi-C, AMG and Swift) | 66 |
| 2004 | "What Would You Do" (featuring Nate Dogg Nate Dogg Nathaniel Dwayne Hale , better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk... and Mariah Carey Mariah Carey Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993... ) |
14 |