Spek

Spek is a Canadian hip-hop artist best known for his single "Smell the Coffee" which received significant airplay on Canadian music television station, MuchMusic.

Early career

Literally schooled on hip-hop, Spek (real name: Hussain Yoosuf) started swapping rhymes at the impressionable age of 14 in his hometown of Montreal and never looked back. Tutored through his tenure with world-recognized boombasters the Dream Warriors, he joined the band hot on the heels of their worldwide smashes “My Definition” and “Wash Your Face In My Sink”.

At the age of 17 he signed a worldwide record contract with EMI and toured the globe before eventually continuing his quest for knowledge settling in London. An incubator of sorts for his ideas, Spek soon found himself touring again. Only this time with multi-million selling British Jazz-Rap crew Us3 across Europe at the height of their popularity. Hooking up with musical partner Brian Rose (Longview/Robbie Williams), he made his mark through various collaborations with members of Jamiroquai and Nitin Sawhney (whose breakthrough album "Beyond Skin" featuring Spek was highly touted by Sting and Madonna, won the South Bank Album Award and went on to be nominated for the Mercury Music Prize). He appeared on the BBC’s Later (with Jools Holland), and was soon bestowed the honour of having his single “Smell The Coffee” featured several times in the Old Vic in "EastEnders"!

Increasing prominence

International recognition beckoned as his songs were picked up in Worldwide campaigns used by Nokia, Fox and DreamWorks Films’ comedy “ENVY” (starring Ben Stiller and Jack Black), having what The Times described as, “a gentle and genial collection of dreamy love songs and street smart hip hop grooves.”Loaded" magazine went a step further by calling his album Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff, “like Prince and De La Soul in a mucky mudwrestle. Exceptional” with a 10 out of 10 review.

In 2003 Spek was asked to Co-Host the Juno Awards, a testament to the impact he made after releasing his debut album to rave reviews all round.

Garnering hard to come by kudos (voted number one on MTV UK’s “Daily Chart Live” for his "Look Me Up" video/ scoring a Top 20 smash with his single "I’m A Hippie" in his native Canada). Spek’s trippy Beatles holding court with De La Soul, Mazzy Star and Simon and Garfunkel style of music left quite an impression.

Films

In 2005 Spek was cast in a lead role in the UK/European feature film "Wicked", starring alongside Danish star, Kim Bodnia among others. Playing a dual role he also wrote the films soundtrack and score with long time collaborator Brian Rose. That film screened in Cannes 2005.

In 2006 Spek began development of his next film project “Fricky Khan”. A film based on the real life story of the Sri Lankan motorcycle racer and multiple Grand Prix winner who lived fast and died young. That story is based on the life of Spek's uncle.

After years of working as a recording artist, writer, composer, producer and music publishing executive, Spek relocated to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates at the end of 2006 working with BKP Music, the largest music and audio post production company in the Middle East.

2007 saw the formation of Fairwood/BKP Music (Arabia), the largest independent music publisher in the region. The company is a joint venture between BKP Music and Fairwood Music (International), one of the leading independent music publishers in the world. With offices in 10 countries Fairwood Music has handled the catalogues for some of the most innovative and influential artists in the world including David Bowie, Bob Marley, Cat Stevens and others.

Spek is Managing Director of Fairwood/BKP Music (Arabia); The company is responsible for pioneering respect for musical copyrights in the Middle East and handle some of the world's leading music catalogues for the Middle East & North Africa.

Releases as a Recording Artist

"I'm A Hippie" (single - 2001)
"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" (2002)
"Smell The Coffee" (single - 2002)

Releases With Dream Warriors

*"Subliminal Simulation", 1994
*"The MasterPlan", 1996
*"Greatest Hits", 1999

olo Artist

*"Look Me Up" EP, 2001 (UK)
*"Don't Sweat The Small Stuff", 2001 (UK), 2003 (Canada)

Featured Appearances

*Beres Hammond, "Highlight Of The Day"
*Bass Is Base, "Memories Of The SoulShack Survivors"
*Nitin Sawhney, "Beyond Skin"
*The Dukes Of Hang Gliding, "My Cinema"
*Kinnie Starr, "Sun Again"