So Solid Crew Member And Desi Trill Co-Founder Mr Shabz 'I was there when Ty Ty Smith Signed Ne-Yo'

FROM SO SOLID CREW TO ROC NATION, K KOKE, DESI TRILL & DJ KHALED — THE STORY OF SHABZWhat does it really take to build a career in music, spot talent before the rest of the industry, survive fame and media scrutiny, and keep reinventing yourself?In this episode of Micah McLean Talks, I sit down with Shabz for a fascinating conversation spanning So Solid Crew, Roc Nation, K Koke, Desi Trill, DJ Khaled, Cardi B, film, television, South Asian hip-hop, entrepreneurship and the next generation of talent.Shabz takes us behind the scenes of his journey — from growing up in Battersea and discovering music, to becoming part of the So Solid Crew story and making the now-famous Yellow Pages cold calls that helped open doors in the music industry.We discuss the incredible rise of So Solid Crew, the pressures that came with fame, why members eventually pursued different paths, and how the spirit of the group continues to influence British music.Shabz also reveals the story of how he spotted K Koke, what actually goes into being a music manager, and how his career eventually led him to work alongside major names in the American music industry.We then get into Desi Trill, the story behind “Higher Love” featuring DJ Khaled and Cardi B, and Shabz's expansion beyond music into film and television.Later in the conversation, we explore Rap KER, South Asian hip-hop, Brown Is Everywhere, the Brown Power List, spotting emerging talent, B Young, the importance of timing and why building leverage is essential for the next generation.This is ultimately a conversation about identity, resilience, creativity, opportunity and refusing to put limits on what you can achieve.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro01:19 – Growing Up in Battersea & Discovering Music10:10 – Joining So Solid Crew & The Yellow Pages Cold Calls14:49 – So Solid at Its Peak: Fame, Success & Media Scrutiny19:34 – Why Members Evolved & Keeping the So Solid Spirit Alive23:23 – How Shabz Spotted K Koke25:26 – What Does a Music Manager Actually Do?27:36 – Meeting Ty Ty Smith & The Beginnings of Desi Trill34:38 – “Higher Love” with DJ Khaled & Cardi B36:28 – From Music Production to Film & TV39:55 – Passion vs Money, Self-Development & Reinventing Yourself47:07 – Rap KER & The Future of South Asian Hip-Hop50:06 – Brown Is Everywhere & The Brown Power List54:26 – What Keeps Shabz Motivated?57:25 – B Young, Spotting Talent & Understanding Timing58:50 – The Message to the Next Generation: “Build Your Leverage”01:00:41 – How to Follow Shabz & Final Thoughts