On this interview of The Purpose Chasers Podcast, host Mark Crandall sits down with his longtime friend—and newest Scale to Sale Consulting client—Jonas “Nef” to unpack one of the most inspiring hip-hop success stories in recent memory. In a candid conversation that spans nine years of grind—from late-night studio sessions in New Hampshire to engineering for DJ Premier in New York—Nef reveals the unspoken hustle, the mentors who shaped him, and why owning your digital footprint matters as much as owning your craft.

The New Hampshire Hustle: Finding the “Greater Play”

Before the bright lights of New York, Nef and Mark were just two of six friends in a tight‐knit New Hampshire music scene. By day, Jonas was head chef at a high-end restaurant; by night, he was tracking studio sessions and chasing beats until 3 AM. As Mark recalls, “That porch in Manchester witnessed Jonas declare, ‘New Hampshire has nothing left for me’—and he meant it.” That pivotal moment set the stage for everything that followed.

Year One: The Art of Humble Observation

Arriving in New York City, Nef took a deliberate step back. For a full year he didn’t push his beats or mixtapes—instead, he absorbed everything. From cleaning studios to answering phones, he earned his stripes by being a fly on the wall. As mentor Rich Medina advised him, “You’re from somewhere else; you have to be completely humble and just soak it in.”

“The first year I didn’t really open my mouth much. The second year I did.” —Nef

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Mentors & Respect: Static Select, Term, and Beyond

Under the wing of DJ Static Select and emcee Term, Nef learned that real success in hip hop isn’t about flash—it’s about respect. Whether mailing mixtapes outside clubs or driving mentors to events six nights a week, every small act proved his dedication. “You can’t fake success in hip hop—you’ll get called out,” Nef explains. Those early lessons in integrity now form the backbone of his Gentleman’s Board community. READ MORE

Breaking In: From Engineering Credits to Premier Placements

Year Three marked a turning point: first vinyl credits as “Additional Engineering by Nef,” then long-awaited nods from industry icons. When Lil Fame asked to get on one of his records, Nef seized the moment—writing an impromptu album to meet that standard. And when a radio premiere by DJ Premier followed, Jonas realized he wasn’t just present in the scene—he was making waves.

Building the Gentleman’s Board Mastermind

Drawing on decades of lessons from kitchen-to-club to global tours, Nef launched Gentleman’s Board: a mastermind for producers, artists, and creatives who crave the same insider mentorship he received. “These rooms you can’t buy your way into,” he says. “I’m packaging every lesson I learned—business moves, engineering tips, mindset shifts—into one place.”

Owning Your Digital Assets: The SEO Imperative

As Mark discovered on his own artist-centric summer “hippie tour,” talent alone doesn’t guarantee visibility—the internet does. “Most artists don’t own their name online,” Mark warns. That’s why Produced by Nef is getting a full SEO overhaul: extended bios, exclusive-and-lease pages, and deep-dive resources—all designed to make Jonas’s name and work unmissable across search.

Tune In & Take Action

Don’t miss this deep-dive into nine years of relentless hustle, humility, and strategic growth. Listen to Episode 114 of The Purpose Chasers Podcast—“Nef: From Manchester Porch to NYC Beats”—available now on thepurposechasers.com and wherever you get your podcasts.

Have a Need For Audio Edits? Need Some Beats?
Join Jonas’s Gentleman’s Board mastermind and gain access to exclusive training, live Q&As, and a supportive community of fellow creators. Learn more https://producedbynef.com/

“Most people spend their entire lives regretting not taking action right now. You only got this one shot—go.”
—Mark Crandall to Nef on that Manchester porch

Let this conversation be your call to action: own your craft, earn your respect, and dominate your digital domain.

For a Free Organic Marketing Audit : https://scaletosaleconsulting.com/