When renowned music mogul Dren STARR started his journey in the music and entertainment space decades ago, he didn’t know what to expect. However, one thing that Dren was certain about was that nothing could get between him and his passion. Thirty years down the line, Dren is still pushing and is one of the top names in the field and has had a huge impact in shaping the future of the music industry.
Dren has worn many hats throughout his career in the music industry, working as a DJ, producer/music engineer, and even an artist manager. He has managed several hip-hop artists, including Terror Squad’s Cuban Link, Roc Nation, Wu-Tang’s Ghostface Killah, and Wu-Tang’s affiliate group Killarmy’s Kinetic 9. Dren helped produce Tru-Life’s highly controversial mixtapes, Tru York.
Dren has also owned a radio station and run several recording studios. With a deep passion for music, Dren joined the space at the young age of 14. He started DJing and playing at various clubs and house parties in his neighborhood. When he turned 18, he opened his first-ever radio station, WBAD RADIO 91.9FM taking NYC by storm.
The station became a hot topic, competing with Hot97, and was even documented on UPN9 News. Unfortunately, the station was shut down two years later by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as it was a “pirate radio station.” During that time, the internet was just starting to turn into a mass medium, and there were no podcasts, Youtube, or internet radio shows, which left Dren with no options.
As he was just getting started, Dren didn’t have the resources and couldn’t save his radio station. However, Dren didn’t give up on his passion. He followed a different path and opened the first official recording studio on the lower East side of Manhattan. This was a huge opportunity for the people of the LSE as it gave them the space to showcase their talent with the rest of the world, producing timeless music. Dren worked with the late great Big Punisher producing his last (BIG PUN) interview before he passed away.
Having been in the industry for a long time, the experience he has accrued sets him apart. He notes that compared to the ’90s when he started his journey, the music scene has dramatically changed, and advances in technology have made work a bit easier.
“In this day and age, you can use social media to interact with your audience and connect with others in the field much faster,” says Dren. Having experienced the two worlds, Dren has been able to find a perfect balance and is now leveraging his skills to help others in the industry. He has created his own company, Les Brand, specializing in digital marketing and promotions. Dren has worked with different brands, including Roc Nation and Rolling Loud, and planned various hip-hop tours and festivals.
As Dren STARR continues to flourish, he shows the world that nothing is unattainable if you put your mind to it. Even though he has faced multiple challenges, he has not given up on his passion and is now a well-known music mogul.
Matts Herald 