Hank Shocklee: Bio

Innovator.  Visionary.  Producer.  Mentor.  Legend.

Hank Shocklee one of the preeminent figures of popular culture, got his start at an early age when he decided to start his own business as a party deejay.  A few years later while in college, Shocklee managed a local night club and also hosted a mix show on Adelphi University’s radio station 90.3 FM.  During this time he met the individuals that would then later be transformed into the groundbreaking group Public Enemy.  Shocklee’s creative vision combined with a destiny that would ultimately lead him to cross paths with important key figures in popular music history would be just the beginning of an illustrious career and track record.

As Shocklee’s work with the group Public Enemy started to gain momentum and air play, a then lesser-known Russell Simmons summoned Shocklee to work on remixes for artists on his roster that weren’t gaining success as quickly.  It was Shocklee’s creative vision and energy that landed him a position with Def Jam Recordings where he served as Vice President of A&R and staff producer from 1986-1988, while he was still developing the Public Enemy Concept.  Shocklee also eventually became the Publicity and Marketing point person for Rush Artist Management and handled touring projects for artists such as Run DMC, Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, and Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.  In 1989 he also co-created Rush Producers Management under Lyor Cohen.

With the signing of Public Enemy to Def Jam Recordings and the eventual group’s rise to stardom, Shocklee’s efforts shifted to the studio full time. He served as Producer and Executive Producer for the group and led them to the success of 1 Double Platinum, 4 Platinum and 2 Gold Albums.  Shocklee also managed Public Enemy along with Russell Simmons.  Public Enemy soon became Def Jam’s biggest global act and went on the road for a series of successful world tours.

Shocklee’s production techniques have been immortalized in his music, he has been heralded by many as ahead of his time.  Fans and artists alike have sought after his innovative style and the distinct sonic texture of his music.  A successful Producer, he also produced records for artists such as Slick Rick, Ice Cube, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Soul II Soul, Vanessa Williams, Peter Gabriel, Bell Biv Devoe and Ziggy Marley.  A film enthusiast, Shocklee has also Executive Produced Soundtracks and Scored for films such as Dangerous Minds, Juice, Tales From The Hood, CB4, Mo Money, and He Got Game.

Shocklee’s success in music and film led him to MCA records in 1990 where he created the S.O.U.L. label and signed acts such as Ed Lover & Dr. Dre and released the soundtrack for the movie Juice which introduced the late Tupac Shakur to the world.  S.O.U.L. helped to create the template for MCA's Black Music Department.  Always drawn to his creative pursuits, after a couple of years with MCA the S.O.U.L. label was dissolved and Shocklee returned to the studio and developing artists.

In 1994 Shocklee returned to MCA Records as Senior Vice President where he oversaw the A&R, Marketing, Promotion, and Sales divisions for the company. During his tenure there, he Executive Produced and supervised projects for many Multi-Platinum artists such as Mary J. Blige, Pattie LaBelle, K-Ci & JoJo, Gladys Knight, Avant, Res and Immature.

After being with MCA for 6 years and working within the confines of a Major Record label, Shocklee decided to pursue his visionary and creative interests and launched his own independent company, Shocklee Entertainment Media in 1999.  It was the lack of creative evolvement and archaic business practices within the corporate structure that ultimately moved Shocklee to set out and organize his own company along with fellow ex MCA employee Jo-Ann Nina.

Shocklee Entertainment Media, a full service entity, specializes in creating a seamless and vertical integration of music, film, and media for its clients that connects with today's consumers.  The company also prides itself in continuing to uplift, educate and empower the public through this and various other community pursuits.

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Shocklee has garnered a collection of Platinum and Multi-Platinum albums as well as 14 Grammy Nominations and numerous Soul Train Awards.  He has also been the recipient of a Sony Innovators Award and an Apex Creative Engineer Award. Shocklee has also been named the Source Magazine’s Producer of the year twice during his career.

“I have a way of looking at things from many dimensions.  Once I put my mind to it, I can make anything happen from what was once nothing.”

Hank Shocklee