OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO SHOT BY
MARCUS LETTS & CHARLETON OUT NOW
PRESS ASSETS HERE
07 AUGUST 2026 (TORONTO, ON) – 23-year-old Sudanese rapper, Shareef, keeps the hits coming with the new single “PARANOIA!” out today via Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company. The infectious new track features Shareef’s signature sound that incorporates hard hitting freestyles woven through slick beats and effortless vocals layered meticulously throughout the song.
Listen to “PARANOIA!” HERE
“‘PARANOIA!’ is about how fear grows in isolation. Whatever’s making you paranoid, having people who genuinely have your back quiets the noise,” Shareef says on the concept of the new single. He continues, “A real support system doesn’t erase your problems, it reminds you that you don’t have to face them alone. Having my friends around cancels out the ‘PARANOIA!’.”
The official music video for the single was also released today, shot by Marcus Letts and Charleton. Known for being tastemakers in the underground rap space, they captured the essence of the song with a striking backdrop of an abandoned mansion and flashing fog lights against Shareef’s sharp fashion sense. This is the second video filmed by Letts, following the comeback track “EQUIP!” released earlier this summer, which was filmed in Egypt.
“PARANOIA” follows the smooth talking single, “WSP!”released last month with nostalgic anime sampled vocals, intertwined with Shareef’s freestyle. The contrast of slow tempo moments against Shareef’s quick witted lyrics elevate the track to the next level. Since he stepped into the music scene, he has been developing his own sound to create a distinct lane for himself.
Shareef’s underground sound is shaped by his musical influences including Kid Cudi, XXXTentacion, Juice WRLD and Lil Uzi Vert. He is driven by a desire to engage and connect with his followers through his music. By leaning into his Sudanese heritage, and relevant pop culture trends across various platforms, he aims to bring fans into his song-writing and production process.
Shareef initially made waves on social media garnering 800K+ followers across socials before ever releasing music. After a year of developing his underground sound he’s ready to step into the spotlight.
Stay tuned for more to come from Shareef as he sets his sights on an upward trajectory.
Photo Credit: TRYIO
About Shareef:
“I’m going for a global approach,” says 23-year-old Toronto rapper Shareef and the upcoming music is a direct reflection of his ambition. Shareef delivers infectious smile-inducing mood changers and adrenaline-charged bangers. His music showcases his improved skills as a vocalist and demonstrates his versatility as an artist.
Shareef’s spontaneous studio freestyles, undeniable stage presence, and his ear for melody, mark him as a unique, refreshing presence in Canada’s hip-hop scene. Since signing with Universal Music Canada in 2023, Shareef has established himself as a witty and nimble lyricist with a fun-loving persona.
Influenced by his own Sudanese background and inspired by the likes of Kid Cudi, XXXTentacion, Juice WRLD and Lil Uzi Vert, Shareef first turned heads with his freestyle rhymes on social media. Shareef began by posting videos and snippets of his tracks to his TikTok account during the pandemic, and his popularity took off immediately.
With almost 28 million likes and around 800K followers on his TikTok account alone, Shareef is poised to deliver projects that reflect his compelling personal and musical evolution.
“Since I found my sound, it’s gonna catapult me towards everything that I do want to achieve in life,” says Shareef. “I feel like it’s the spark. It’s the beginning of something crazy.”
