Shanti Das: Atlanta’s New Hip Hopreneur

Atlanta’s native daughter Shanti Das has come a long way from her days as intern for industry vet Keith Frye. She stepped from Syracuse University graduate to National Promotion Director for LaFace Records which was followed by a succession of consistent high level executive tenures at Arista, So-So Def, Sony and Universal Motown Records.

While working in New York City, known to many as the mecca of entertainment, Shanti noticed not only a lack of intimate, affordable live performance outlets for emerging artists, but also for those established mainstays of urban music. Her vision gave birth the monthly “R&B Live New York” performance series. R&B Live New York quickly became the place to be and attracted a who’s who of award-winning actors, athletes and activists, new and influential established artists and icons. Upon her return to Atlanta, she saw the need to fill that same void for a live outlet in Atlanta’s music community.  She continued the tradition in 2010 launching “ATL LIVE on the Park,” which kicks off season 5 next week. This monthly event has the distinction of being a part of the 2014 Radio One Atlanta Summer Concert Series.  This unique networking and entertainment environment has attracted the likes of R. Kelly, Anthony David, T.I. and many more.

Shanti and T.I.

Through all of her success and accomplishments, she remains humbles, appreciative and steadfastly committed to giving back. Shanti is a shining example of a quiet giant and a gentle soul who is not only a multi-faceted entrepreneur, but a dedicated public servant. Shanti has a personal connection to and has become a staunch supporter of the Georgia Alzheimer’s Association. She’s leading the charge to promote literacy in Atlanta with the “Turn The Page” book drive and reading program. The “College Chat Room” brings this “hip-hop professional” and her celebrity friends to campuses across the USA to mentor students. Artists Teddy Riley and Jeezy participate with Shanti in “No Reservations Needed, “a program feeding Atlanta’s homeless population and The Genesis House Project that supports homeless teens. The most heartwarming initiative that brings immense joy to her life is a non-profit she founded, May We Rest In Peace (www.maywerestinpeace.org). The organization has assisted the families of thirty murder victims in the city of Detroit in paying the burial expenses of their loved ones. Shanti says walking away from the big job and huge paycheck has humbled her and forced her to look at things with a different perspective. There are no regrets for the choices she’s made because the work she’s doing in the community is her life purpose and it’s driven by God.

There are only twenty-four hours in a day, yet Shanti has found time to add the title of published author to her lengthy list of accomplishments with the book “The Hip‐Hop Professional: A Woman’s Guide to Climbing the Ladder of Success in the Entertainment Business (www.thehiphopprofessional.com ) Chronicling her 20‐year stint in the music business, The Hip‐Hop Professional offers career advice and words of wisdom to show both aspiring and established industry professionals how to make it in the music world  on their own terms.

Former intern Shanti Das has morphed into Shanti Das, accomplished Marketing & Music Industry Executive, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Author and amazingly compassionate human being .She is currently the CEO and Founder of the entertainment concierge firm, Press Reset Entertainment. (www.pressresetent.com)