by: Andrea Ryan Jackson

Omar "The Iceman" Sharif was born in New York City's Spanish Harlem. He later moved to Brooklyn with his family. While still in high school, the then fifteen year old impresario brokered his first record deal for the hip hop group Most Wanted. Although the group’s success was limited, the fire was lit for Omar "The Iceman" Sharif to become one of the most successful and influential entrepreneurs in the urban world of hip hop entertainment.

In the early 90's while shopping music in NYC, he was able to secure a position as an A&R assistant at Warner/Electra. He branched out on his own and formed a music consulting company, continuing to broker major deals. The "Iceman" later moved to Los Angeles where he linked up with Onyx's Sticky Fingaz and Fredro Starr, and began his foray into Hollywood film. He is currently the CEO of the music company created by Cam’ron, Dipset West, and the independent Iceman Films.

He has executive produced forty albums and 5 feature films including, the hip hop tribute, “American Rap Stars” (2002) which he directed, “A Day In The Life” (2009) with Mekhi Phifer, Fredro Starr, Omar Epps, Bokeem Woodbine included in the all-star cast, “Caught on Tape”(2009) starring Vivica A. Fox, and more.

He is currently working on a feature film in conjunction with Lionsgate Entertainment depicting the story of Sammy "The Bull" Graviano, scheduled for release later this year, and “The Company You Keep”( directed by the stellar television and movie veteran Roy Campanella Jr.). Besides being a savvy businessman, Omar has found time to set up a foundation for autism awareness.

His newly organized Dipset West Children's Foundation hopes to foster awareness and garner assistance from the hip hop community at large to address the issues of these special needs children. I asked "The Iceman" what advice would he give to that hungry fifteen year old who is dreaming of making it in the entertainment industry? He replied, “The best advice is to obtain as much information as you can about anything you seriously want to do. Acquiring knowledge is the first and most important step, and you have to be consistent and never stop learning."