When Bella Hadid wants another Broadway soundtrack of vinyl or Bono, they head downtown to see Buddy Jamal Alnasl.
Alnasr has revived popularity for its '70s spinning discs, from Lana del Rey and Carlos Santana to Joe Schmo and tourists to Village Revival Records, in the heart of Greenwich Village.
“Especially here in New York. You get the drunk, you get the superstars and you get everything when you live in New York,” he told the Post.
And he'll know.
Palestinian immigrants opened a record shop in 1994 after working in a family friend's store that had just turned the corner for several years. Over 30 years later, he continues to sell records, CDs, cassettes and DVDs.
He estimates that around 295,000 records piled up around his store, with a total of 600,000 records in his storage inventory.
So when U2 frontman's wife Ali Hewson wanted to give the International Rockstar a gift, she contacted Alnasr. He found a unique French Rolling Stones Box Set that has been still sealed in designer T-shirts since the 80s.
He also pulled the first press of the original of the Ramones' first three albums and some talking head records from Bono.
Olgaginsburg, New York Post
When Lana Del Rey returns to her old neighborhood, she may jump into the hug and Billie Holiday or Ella Fitzgerald's records missing from her collection.
“Yeah, Lana, I miss that woman. If she's in town, she'll definitely come and we'll smoke,” Arunasl smiled. He proudly displays records signed by the singer at the checkout counter.
His love for music made him get along with all the NYU students who come after class, helping his longtime neighbors walking on their way home to win his extraordinary collection of love for his people and constant laughter.
Alnasr tracks some things and sells frequently, but most of his collection comes to him by people with valuable collections who want to know that all music is highly appreciated.
“To be honest, I say, 'Why are you selling to me? I know there were 20 people who came to see something like this.'
The real reason he was so successful is that he treats people the same way he handles records – they deserve respect whether it's Xanadu's soundtrack or SGT's first press. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, College Student or A Lister.
“You meet many of the very interesting people in your life [while working at the shop] And that means a lot to me,” Arnasl said, shining his usual smile.
“When you give something, when you help someone, when you influence someone, it means all the f— King of the Universe money. Many people have a lot of money, they are miserable like f—k.”
“You need money, f—- yeah, especially to survive in this city. But does money buy you happiness?
Alnasr makes money selling everything from the $50 Lady Gaga “Abracadabra” that everyone has come in recently, or from the $8,000 Beatles album he once sold.
And as long as he makes enough to keep his door open seven days a week, he has struggled to do it a few times, and he is happy.
“We live in a truly crazy world. People are so f— miserable,” he believes in part in the fact that no one seems to have time for friendship anymore.
But Alnasr doesn't let it happen with his watch. He has made connections through music every day, working in his shop, stopping chatting with everyone and everyone, from new releases to the most obscure vinyl he has.
“[Music] It's a beautiful way and the most effective way for everyone to have a conversation. Wait five minutes here and you can have a conversation with anyone through the music,” said Alnasr.
Chat with him for more than five minutes and you might get an invitation to a Minetta tavern – he's been sitting with people like Hadid and Post Malone in recent years – or the Falafel stand where he was dining with Joan Osborne.
But he is not the one to drop his name. Side A: His discretion is why all big names continue to return. Side B: He doesn't seem to care.
“So many bands come out of this neighborhood and some of them come to say hello,” said Alnasr, but he's happy to meet an old friend who doesn't have a Grammy Award at home.
“Don't feel sorry for trying to others. Sometimes you lose, but that's fine. Karma comes back. I always believe it.”
