“Mr. HUBB is a man on the New Jersey scene that is making it happen.” – HipHop-Vibe
New Jersey based community leader, mental health advocate and artist Mr HUBB aka Al-Tariq Best and Hip-Hop legend CL Smooth have come together to release their latest single “Grown Man Business” today, which will be featured on the upcoming soundtrack for Bruce Willis’ final film “Assassin” released earlier this year from Saban Films. This single follows Mr. HUBB’s most recently released single “Legacy” featuring fellow ThatHUBBLIFE ENT artist Penelope that premiered with Straight Official Magazine, which followed the success of his 2022 hit single “Grown Man Ishhh” that premiered exclusively with HipHop-Vibe and HipHopSince1987 . In addition, to his music career, Mr. HUBB is a well-known leader and mental health advocate in his community of Newark, NJ. Mr. HUBB is also the CEO and Founder of The HUBB Arts & Trauma Center, a facility that helps at-risk youth & high-risk deal with mental health issues and trauma they have faced through therapeutic arts.
Recently Mr. HUBB launched his latest venture ThatHubbLife ENT, a socially responsible entertainment company where not only Mr. HUBB but other artists can release their music. Unlike many other entertainment companies or record labels ThatHubbLife ENT will not only help these artists release their music but will also work as a support system for them unlike many mainstream labels that tend to just focus on the immediate financial return of their artists. ThatHubbLife ENT is focused on the long-term mental health, safety and success of their artists. This opportunity to be featured on the ‘Assassin’ soundtrack is not only special for Mr. HUBB but also for fellow ThatHubbLife ENT artist Penelope who recently released her single “Body Keeps The Score” off the soundtrack, bringing more attention to the great work being done by ThatHubbLife ENT and The HUBB Arts & Trauma Centre as a whole.
When asked about the opportunity to get ThatHubbLife ENT artists featured on the “Assassin”” soundtrack ThatHubbLife ENT. CEO and Donald Richardson said “Having placed two songs on the soundtrack for the movie “Assassin” starring Bruce Willis “Body Keeps The Score’ by Penelope and “Grown Man Business” by Mr. HUBB and the legendary CL Smooth called ‘Grown Man Business’ brings my contribution to soundtrack full circle. After securing CL Smooth to be on the Wayne-O produced smash, it was inevitable to see that collectively we created a socially impactful and important record. I hope the world enjoys them both. Working with my business partner and friend music industry heavy weight “Knobody” has made it all worthwhile being a part of the project.”
When asked about the meaning behind his new single and what he wants people to take away from it Mr. HUBB said, “Writing the ‘Grown Man Business’ verse began with me wanting to challenge men to step up and handle their business but morphed into me doing “My Work” to heal from childhood trauma and to use a moment of vulnerability for a bigger purpose. It’s now also another teaching tool to support other men to scale up from little boy shit to handling Grown Man Business!”
Growing up in Newark, NJ, Mr. HUBB aka Al-Tariq led a far from semi-charmed life. The middle child of three sons in a single parent household, Al-Tariq witnessed his mother being abused under several domestic violence situations. He later endured his fair share of trauma, being physically and emotionally abused by other trusted so-called friends and relatives. “I didn’t understand my own trauma until recently,” he admits. “Now that I’m a grown man, I’m a Certified Victim Advocate, though it took a lot for me to recognize that I was also a victim at one point.” That realization led to self-awareness in understanding his own triggers, but also the reasons for some of the decisions that he made in his younger years. From the age of nine, Al-Tariq was making music and became the leader of a local Hip-Hop crew. “Music saved my life,” he explains. “I was smart and artistic, but I blended in with the dudes who were up to no good, because I found solace in them.” A life-altering event happened at the age 17, right before his first son was born, when he was pulled over by the police and dehumanized for driving while Black. “Something changed in me,” he said, “because right up the block there were drug dealers doing real damage, and I was being humiliated and my rights being violated.” Al-Tariq traded in his music career and pointed more towards social reform. He formed FP YouthOutCry Foundation, (Not-for-Profit 501c3) today legally doing business as The HUBB Arts & Trauma Center in Newark, NJ. H.U.B.B. stands for “Help Us Become Better.” While his 9000 square foot, Mayor-Appointed “Center of Hope” focuses on arts & trauma recovery, Al-Tariq, known now as Mr. HUBB to Newark and surrounding cities’ youth, utilizes the arts to save the lives of others the way music saved his. His latest venture ThatHUBBLife ENT, LLC is a socially responsible Entertainment, Networking and Therapeutic company that will introduce a roster of new talent, releasing their music, but also making sure that they’re prepared for the road ahead in an otherwise unforgiving music industry. Stay tuned to Mr. HUBB and ThatHUBBLife’s social media handles below for updates on future releases from Mr. HUBB as well as other artists signed to the label, concerts, and violence intervention tours.
About ThatHUBBLife ENT:
ThatHUBBLife ENT, LLC is a socially responsible Entertainment, Networking and Therapeutic company that will introduce a roster of new talent, releasing their music, but also making sure that they’re prepared for the road ahead in an otherwise unforgiving music industry. ThatHUBBLife ENT, LLC will include some of the tenets that Al-Tariq has applied to his previous missions, including intentional focuses on understanding the Entertainment business, the art of Networking and arts Therapy for self-empowerment. We plan to raise the bar with having artists reach their proverbial next level so, when they do release music, they can understand, replicate and teach the process to others and maintain sustainability.
For More Info on Mr. HUBB and ThatHUBBLife:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thathubblife/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ThatHUBBLife/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm6r9_4xQR9b0QPG4jSbjKg/featured
Website: https://www.thathubblife.org/