hassan shareef

The music industry is an industry that strives and exists on change, trends, and what's hot "now", so naturally it takes a certain type of tenacity and person to maintain longevity and respect in such an industry. Hassan Shareef is one of those people. Born in Manhattan, NY in the 70s when hip hop was also making its debut in the world, it was almost inevitable that Hassan would spend his life becoming someone prominent in the music industry.

As a teenager Hassan was intrigued by the game and started a music group with some friends. While most teenage boys in New York, where hip hop was born and evolving, had a lot of fun with the craft, Hassan started to take his interest more seriously. Through bumping elbows and just being aware of his surroundings, Hassan met and started shadowing Lenny S. and Burt Bazin, Director's of Bad Boys street team at the time. This led to the production end of music becoming captivating to Hassan and sparking an interest in a real career in the industry. 

"Two things that I have learned in this industry is that it's all about relationships and everyone and their mother is trying to get on," he says. Proving his statement, Hassan landed an assistant A&R position at Roc-A-Fella Records through his relationship with Lenny S. and Burt Bazin who also held positions at the label. Spending time working with the hottest label of the time, Hassan was in the company of and working with artists like Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel, and Cam'ron. Hassan eventually went on to open his own company, Mad Large Music, a production company and entertainment consulting firm with the assistance of his long time friends Larry Payne and Ali. Expanding his resume, the company went on to working on film soundtracks like Rucker Park and one of hip hop's favorite films, State Property.

These days Hassan is still keeping up with the ever changing music industry. Located on the Upper East Side, Hassan now owns and manages The Mastering House/Black Magic Studios based in New York. The company specializes in mixing, mastering, and recording. Names like Sevyn Streeter, Mack Wild, Cassidy, and Gunplay come by the studio to record and work. Along side his resume in the hip hop world, Hassan has also done music scores for video games like Grand Theft Auto 5 & 6 (Rockstar Games) as well as working with the game series, Halo.

Hassan's personal motto is "turning plastic into platinum" and he wants to know his clients are serious before working with him. When asked what it takes to work with Hassan he says, "They have to already be out there promoting and doing something everyday to further their career and their music. Hot and ready to go." Within his music studio Hassan also has NBS Management, where he manages artist and songwriters to help improve their catalog. 

Hassan Shareef is someone who turned their passion into their life through music and is now committed to helping others do the same. For the up coming year Hassan is setting up major concerts series through out the country with Bryson Tiller, Kendrick Lamar, and Future to name a few. He also recently bumped into one of the hottest and most stand out female rappers of this generation, Cardi B, and is currently developing a working relationship her. Heading into the new year, Hassan is also looking to release new projects from his own artists Tax Free, Loud Pack Team, Marissa Ann, Bebushka, Isaiah, KBFthree, and King Bone.