Being a member of the world renowned Morgan Family is no easy task. But if your dream is to make it in the music industry, it sure has its advantages. Laza, formerly of the popular LMS group, is currently recording his first solo album to be released later this year entitled Words Of A Poor Man Son. Laza took on the deejaying (Jamaican style rap) role within the group taking cues from a host of hip-hoppers (Rakim, KRS ONE, Special ED, Jay-Z, BIGGIE Smalls and 2PAC) as well as the hardcore dancehall toasters of the late 80’s and early 90’s (Supercat, Ninja Man, Capleton, Buju Banton and Sizzla).
The group, in existence for little under a decade, decided to concentrate on their solo projects. Laza’s album will be a unique mixture of Hip-Hop, Roots Reggae and Dancehall. He will take some of his own personal experiences and enlist the aid of producers such as Mr. Mojo (from Morgan Heritage), Shane Brown (Juke Boxx), Legenda...
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Being a member of the world renowned Morgan Family is no easy task. But if your dream is to make it in the music industry, it sure has its advantages. Laza, formerly of the popular LMS group, is currently recording his first solo album to be released later this year entitled Words Of A Poor Man Son. Laza took on the deejaying (Jamaican style rap) role within the group taking cues from a host of hip-hoppers (Rakim, KRS ONE, Special ED, Jay-Z, BIGGIE Smalls and 2PAC) as well as the hardcore dancehall toasters of the late 80’s and early 90’s (Supercat, Ninja Man, Capleton, Buju Banton and Sizzla).
The group, in existence for little under a decade, decided to concentrate on their solo projects. Laza’s album will be a unique mixture of Hip-Hop, Roots Reggae and Dancehall. He will take some of his own personal experiences and enlist the aid of producers such as Mr. Mojo (from Morgan Heritage), Shane Brown (Juke Boxx), Legendary Hip-Hop producers such as Salaam Remi, Clark Kent and Julian Bennetta of Family Affair productions producing most of Laza’s album. Last year Laza put out two singles on the Gedion Music label as a solo artiste reflecting the diverse musical influences that inspire Laza. Joining up with the Legendary Ninja Man to toast on the first single, Number One, that top number one on the reggae charts in Milan Italy 103.1fm. Raw and potent lyrics urgently delivered over Shane Brown’s instrument rich chaos riddim describe Laza’s follow up single, What a Gwaan.
Laza grew up in Brooklyn, NY, attended school in Springfield, MA and lived in a distinctly Jamaican household. Surrounded by music [father Denroy Morgan had a crossover hit in the early 80’s with I’LL Do Anything For You while siblings Morgan Heritage earned the title “The Royal Family of Reggae”] Laza took to the business at a very young age. As early as age 7, Laza became very interested in Hip-Hop and by 13, his father introduced him to Dancehall. He has a special appreciation for Roots Reggae as he views it as a timeless sub-genre of reggae.
In 1990, Laza started a group with his brother, Shy-Poo, called “The Dredz” and after performing at Reggae Sunsplash in 1992,they signed a record deal with MCA and recorded an album that was never released. In 1996, the family visited Jamaica and while they were there, they decided to form LMS, which is an acronym of the names of the members of the group; Laza, Miriam and Shy-Poo. The newly formed group was well received, released four albums [Reality Check, Zion Gates, Straight from the Root and London 2 Paris] and toured the world with Morgan Heritage. Now, as a solo artiste, Laza continues to tour with his siblings as a featured performer.
His dynamic background, contributes to his equally eclectic musical style and sound. “I can sound like an American and I can sound like a Jamaican. When the mixture comes together through music, it’s like magic”. When compared with Morgan Heritage’s R&B vocals, Laza simply describes his vocals as “raw”, especially when he raps. He is also quick to say that his father and mother has played a major role in his music career. My father showed me to make something out of nothing and my mother kept me focused on my talent. Laza comments that, “It’s harder being a solo artiste “cause I don’t have my brother or sister to fall back on, all eyes on me.
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