Farid Karam Nassar (born June 23, 1972) better known by his stage name Fredwreck, is a Palestinian-American[2][3][4] record producer, songwriter, and political activist from Flint, Michigan.
Outside music, Nassar has been a political activist, notably starting the anti-Iraq War "STOP Movement" and promoting Palestinian human rights within hip-hop,[8] for which he is sometimes nicknamed "Palestinian Ambassador to rappers".[9] His vocal support for Palestine have led to both praise and controversy.[9][10]
They later moved the family to San Jose, California, to open his own grocery store business. When Nassar was 11, he started breakdancing and making breakdance tapes on borrowed DJ equipment. His mother bought him a keyboard, and he made mixtapes. While in high school he worked on a reel-to-reel “mega-mix” for five straight days and sent it to the Bay Area’s hip-hop radio station 106.1 KMEL.
After leaving MCA/Universal, Nassar decided to concentrate fully on production. He would give out his production CD to anyone that would listen, and it eventually ended up with Dr. Dre who called Nassar to come in and collaborate with him in the studio which then led to him working on the multi-platinum selling album 2001. His roommate at the time Xzibit introduced him to Soopafly, who then also passed his beat CD on to members of the Dogg Pound, Daz and Kurupt which led to his production on the Kurupt album Tha Streetz Iz a Mutha and the chance to work with Snoop Dogg. Snoop then asked Nassar to join Doggystyle Records imprint as a producer which led to production on Snoop's albums, and artists on his label such as Tha Eastsidaz.[14][15]
In 2007, he partnered up with songwriter Kara DioGuardi to produce songs for pop stars Britney Spears and Hilary Duff. He received an MTV Europe Music Award for Best Album for his production on Britney's Blackout album and Kara went on to be the new judge on American Idol.
The launch of MTV Arabia in 2007 brought Nassar to his roots in the Middle East, where he co-hosted Hip HopNa (Arabic for Our Hip Hop), a hip hop talent search across the Middle East with Saudi Arabian rapper Qusai. The first season led to the discovery of Arab rappers such as Omar Boflot, Desert Heat, Asfalt, Malikah and others. The program reached 180 million viewers and is the first such program of its kind. In 2009, Nassar hosted a weekly Arabic Hip Hop Show called Beit el Hip Hop (Arabic for The House of Hip Hop) with Qusai again.
In the fall of 2016, VH1 premiered a new show with Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart and Nassar called Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party, featuring games, recipes, and musical guests. Nassar, Snoop & Martha later starred together in commercials for 7up and Snickers. In a 2016 interview with The New York Times, Martha called Fred "Her new best friend".[16]
In the Gumball 3000 2007 rally, Nassar and Xzibit drove a black Lamborghini Gallardo. During the first day of the rally, Dutch police seized Xzibits driver's license for doing 160km/h where only 100km/h was allowed. After the penalty, Nassar took over the wheel and they were allowed to continue.[17] In an interview with Dutch radio personality Reinout 'Q-Bah' van Gendt,[18] Xzibit says that he mistook the kilometers for miles. Ultimately he never got his license back from the Dutch Police and had to apply for a new one in the United States.
"Down with us" is the first song in the STOP Movement. It is also the anthem for this anti-war movement. It was released on April 28, 2003.[19] Produced by Nassar, it features Everlast, Tray Deee, Defari, Daz, J-Ro, RBX, Soopafly, Bad Azz, WC, Dilated Peoples, and Mac Minister.[21] "Dear Mr. President" is the second STOP Movement song. It was released as a digital download on Nassar 's official site.[22] Also produced by Nassar, it features Everlast, Mobb Deep, the Alchemist, Mack 10, WC, Evidence, Defari, KRS-One, and B-Real.
Personal life
Nassar got his nickname "Fredwreck" from his friend Joe Quixx, who one day said to him while DJing: "Yo Fred, you wrecked it man, Fred-wreck." After that event, everyone started calling him Fredwreck.[3]
