MNRK MUSIC GROUP ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE MOVES
BRANDON SQUAR ELEVATED TO GENERAL MANAGER
EBRAHIM RASHEED PROMOTED TO SVP, URBAN
(May 31, 2023) MNRK Music Group has elevated Brandon Squar to General Manager, and Ebrahim “Abe” Rasheed to SVP, Urban, effective immediately, as announced by MNRK COO Sean Stevenson. The two executive appointments further strengthen the leadership team at MNRK, a leading, digitally focused, independent music company.
Squar joined MNRK in 2020 and was formerly SVP of Sales and Marketing for the label. In his new, expanded position, he will lead company initiatives, overseeing commerce, marketing, project management, and publicity for the company’s diverse roster of artists. Squar has worked in the music industry for 25+ years and has extensive label & distribution experience in artist development, digital, marketing, and sales, having worked for Universal Music Group, Island Def Jam, Live Nation, Warner Music Group, and ADA. He is based in LA and will continue to report to Stevenson.
Ebrahim “Abe” Rasheed has been promoted to SVP, Urban, from VP of A&R and Artist Development. Rasheed steps into the role after the departure of longtime executive Alan Grunblatt, who ran the urban label for 20 years. Rasheed will spearhead all efforts in A&R and artist development for the urban roster with a focus on signing new, groundbreaking talent in the hip hop, R&B, and Latin genres. Already this year, Rasheed led the rollout for Grammy-winning artist DJ Drama’s new album, “I’m Really Like That,” and Kash Doll’s “Back on Dexter” mixtape. He joined the company in 2017 and has risen through the ranks in just five years to head the division. During that time, he worked with artists Blueface, Brandy, Bryant Myers, Benny the Butcher and his Black Soprano Label, among others. He is based in New York and reports to Stevenson.
In making the appointments, Stevenson says, “Brandon and Abe have demonstrated their commitment, passion and drive for our artists, and in these new roles, they’ll continue to lead and nurture our first-rate talent, cementing MNRK as a destination for music talent and as a leading indie.”
Squar says, “Music from independent artists has never been in a better place to succeed and it’s exciting to be in this position with MNRK to bring amazing music from our artists to the right audience in innovative ways.”
Rasheed says, “I’m thrilled to lead MNRK’s urban division while the world celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip hop! I’m looking forward to aggressively revamping our roster by signing numerous new artists this year while also building a culture and team around flagship artists like DJ Drama. Helming a division at a leading independent with an iconic catalog is an honor. I can’t wait to share all the great music we have coming down the line.”