Shaheem Reid being Legendary from HBCU, Multimedia and more than 24 RIAA Certified Plaques.
So let’s take it back to your early beginnings. When you were a child, you already envisioned yourself on television. Tell us more about your support system that championed this dream at such an early age.
“My support system has consistently been the same my whole life my mother , brother, cousins. , friends, my aunts and uncles we’ve always been really tight knit. They always supported everything I do and encouraged me to follow my dreams. More importantly, my family taught me NOTHING IS OUT OF REACH!”
“I remember at 9 years old, I visited J.H.S. 202 in Queens (New York). I was enamored when I walked into the school and saw they had a production facility! There were children at the facility actually doing The News! I thought to myself “Wow I can really do this!” Then, I moved from New York to Virginia for my last two years of High School.I had a teacher named Mr. Ray Price and he worked at Channel 6 . Ray Price REALLY took his time teaching our class the ins and outs of production. I was so excited , he used to even let us take the cameras home and I’d make my own music videos .”
The Tidewater Area of Virginia and Norfolk State University are particularly close to Our hearts…After, High School you attended the Historically Black University Norfolk State University and Graduated with a Bachelor’s in Communications. Having that been said, what is some advice you would give to an aspiring journalist?
“Big up to the tidewater area! For all my aspiring and upcoming journalists HONE YOUR CRAFT! Right now we’re in a society where anybody with an opinion and camera phone can go live and give their opinion. What some people forget is Journalism has to be 100MILLION PERCENT FACT BASED! Journalism is not just about opinions . I’d strongly advise them to invest into writing and production courses. Especially because right now Editors don’t have as much time to take journalists under their wings anymore… so as an aspiring journalist you have to learn on your own.”
We want to just give you your “flowers”. You’re AMAZING at painting pictures with your words. Every article feels like we’re in the room while reading. If it weren’t for these poignant pieces we wouldn’t know about alot of Today’s Legends in Hip Hop (present company included). Out of all the publications and platforms you work(ed) with/for what are your favorites?
I got my start at Vibe Magazine, that was like going to College all over again for me. Working at Vibe ,I learned soo much and built an immense amount of relationships. Since Vibe Magazine, I’ve worked with so many … off the top of my head, I enjoyed my time at the following platforms:
U.S.A. Today
Rolling Stone
Hollywood Reporter
M.T.V.
XXL
The Source
Esquire
“My all time favorite was MTV ! I was there for 11 years plus of my life! We built a dream team …Myself (Shaheem Reid), Sway Calloway, Rahman Dukes, Jayson Rodriguez and many others. At MTV I was able to Produce, Direct and be a Personality.”
Most People in the Industry stick to one role. However, Your career is varied …you’ve worked in Film as an Actor, Media Personality, Podcaster, Music Executive, Television Executive and most recently an Author! Walk Us through your legacy.
“Well, when I first started I had the “blinders” on. Then, one day my colleague came into the office and quit to go become a Chef. I had been exploring Media since I was 9 years old! Until that moment it never really crossed my mind that there were more possibilities.”
“So at that moment, I did some introspection and…. I’ve always been competitive. I came out the womb listening to music! I always was getting the first listen to many albums one on one with the Artists. Many Artists asked for my advice and would implement the advice I gave them.
“From days and nights in the Studio as a Journalist… I got my first real opportunity to be hands on when Rick Ross called me to help curate the now Legendary “Rich Forever” Mixtape.”
“Then, I worked with Jadakiss on “The Consigment” …. and I got a call to come to The Conglomerate Label. (The Conglomerate is a Record Label Founded by Busta Rhymes.) Busta and I have been joined at the hip ever since…. I am currently the President of The Conglomerate.”
“I’m so proud of Busta , he’s been doing this over 30 years and nobody works harder than him! On this last album “BLOCKBUSTA” he even created new rap cadences.”
“These plaques are proof of the FACTS! No emotions , no opinions just FACTS!Hardwork pays off! At this point I’ve lost count , but I have at least 24 plaques for all my work over the years.”
“In addition, to being the President of The Conglomerate I also Co-Founded Polaris Television Network with my Brothers Rahman Dukes and Sway Calloway. We partnered with Vizio and Byron Allen’s The Grio . It has truly been a learning experience.”
“During the Pandemic my friend Fat Joe entrusted me with writing his Memoir. We now have published “The Book of Jose” with Penguin Random House.”
Wow this has truly been a pleasure! Anything coming up that you want to share with us ?!
“Stay Tuned…”
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