Meet Upcoming Artist LAH
Today I’m sitting down with LAH “Mr. So Southern,” an upcoming and inspiring artist that hails from Down South, Baton Rouge, LA to be exact.
So LAH tell us about yourself and explain to some of the people who haven’t heard about you and your music, and what you represent.
I’m LAH, I’m a musical fundamental/essential, an individual, a silver spoon case bitten by the music bug so I’m grinding as the dreamers and ambitious do. I guess you can say that I represent the overlooked and doper than ever.
So being a new rapper coming on the scene in Louisiana where many rappers have came from and made a name for themselves how do you feel you can make a name for yourself?
“Consistency!” Always evolving, always real, always quality music has to be the association wit LAH. I have no gimmicks or social recognition to propel my styling(s) so I have to make the music break all barriers.
When you are in the studio where do you get motivation to make your music?
I’m motivated by a passion and love for my craft that is unmatched by those that don’t make it. I’m doing this to provide a lifestyle that many will never know, meaning I put down the notion of a job and decide I was going to be great.
What do you feel your music can bring that the industry has been missing or lacking?
I feel that my music bridges those gaps in the current industry’s shortcomings, because I am that “every man” representative who is actually for the people whose actions back up that claim. There seems to be no purpose in Hip Hop beyond singles, digital downloads, ring tones, swagger, violence, and all that other jazz. The game is missing leadership, honesty, originality, etc. All of which I possess which has probably been the delay in progress.
Listening to your music you have different styles so what do you consider yo be a rapper or hip hop artist or a different genre?
I’m an artist that’s predominantly hip hop, but sometimes I have to say things differently such as more melodious or poetic. If I had to classify my genre I would call it Alternative or New Wave.
How do you feel about the state of Hip-Hop/Rap? Do you feel it is dead as some major artist have said?
The state of Hip Hop/Rap is too much business and not enough talent. A&Rs are lazy so you have to do a million things to get some attention outside of pushing a great product. Being that this is the dawn of the “Independents” the bout goes to the more popular and viral-perception trumps reality so whoever appears to be winning must be so “he has to be hotter than the guy giving away his quality project just because he wants you to hear.” The industry is lame just like the people that power it by preying on in securities not to mention your pocketbooks, using “sex sells” and “dumb it down” propaganda. Hip hop is not dead it is just unexposed as well as under bad management.
Where do you get your influences from? What artists dead or alive do you feel inspired you the most?
My musical inspirations are from life experiences and dreams of sold out stadiums plus a few noteworthy artists I have been blessed to observe. Artists like the late great Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Eminem, Dmx, Kayne West, and Reign the Running Rebel. All are showmen in addition to protectors of contents meaning they care about everything they put out.
Who do you hope your music reaches out to, and the feeling they get from listening to it?
I pray that my music reaches the masses, in another world “all” if such a feat is possible then I hope to conquer the harts of billions. I need fans to understand LAH, his outlook, his becomings, his evolution, his humanity, his story. I want them to feel like they go through similar trials and troubles; however I want for them to see light at the end of he tunnel. Life is good and bad therefore I must give an accurate account of circumstances while promoting positivity as an outcome.
What keeps you motivated and dedicated to not just you and your music, but to your fans as well?
“Love” you want to be insane to want such a lifestyle.
As an upcoming artist what challenges do you feel that you face trying to make a name for yourself?
In today’s market you have to be the most followed and the most trendy, in which I am neither.
When you are on stage performing do you react based on the crowd, or is it something else that makes you give the crowd the performance they want?
When I perform everything is situational except the effort to make it as live as possible of course I will be going to times harder with fans roaring for me as opposed to the frequent blank looks and stares well known to most amateurs. The goal is to give the crowd what I have to give them and the love me for it instead of catering to different taste, but at that point I would no longer be me.
You perform with a bad instead of an entourage or “hype man” as they have been referred to why is that? Do you feel they bring more to your performance?
Live music is so real and unscripted; Its a test of rhythm and gel. No stack, no punch ins, no vocal alterations. The band (LAH Live) brings an energy that can only be described as organic as well as ever changing. The show disc I use has no command recognition, it will only play at that level every time time, whereas musicians can modify tempos and track breakdowns. Once you finesse live its hard to go back to wax.
What do you think when you hear about some artist being called ring tone rappers?
(laughs) ring tone rappers really
(laughing) yea ring tone rappers
It is what it is.
Do you feel that there is a difference between rap and hip hop?
The only difference I see is that people want to classify or disassociate themselves with certain connotations synonymous with one or the other genre. You know that “one is more street and the other is all lyrical” spill.
You have performed many shows in different venues. What has been your most memorable show so far to date?
After all the shows I have done I would have to say that the most memorable show was our (LAH Live) first show at the Endzone on my birthday last year. I will never forget it because my lead keyboard/vocalist got robbed ad lost everything (keyboards, amps, speakers, etc) that morning yet we pulled together and found replacement equipment ultimately having one of the best performances to date. That day solidified a lot for the bands future.
Man robbed and playing with replacement equipment.
Yea man crazy as it seems like they say the show never stops rain, sleet or robbed (laughing)
(laughs) That’s real talk.
Some people may not know, but you performed in the Jaheim and Friends concert in Baton Rouge.
What was that experience like performing with a major artist, and what did you take from that experience?
The experience was humbling in the sense of accomplish and things left to be done to reach that level of fanfare and success. It was intimidating initially but approaching the middle of the set the nerves wore off and I moved towards the front of the stage as I love to do. That event was my first taste of artist accommodations such as huge dressing rooms, food, water,etc. I always say “be careful what you work for because you may get it,” and we were prepared to get it when the opportunity presented itself.
Many artist surround themselves with a lot of people they feel is down with them, but when things aren’t going up an up, or the money isn’t coming in those people are nowhere to be found when you need them. Who do you keep in your inner circle, and do you keep the ones who aren’t real out?
At this point in my career I have no room for new “old” friends or a huge entourage, I like to keep people around that have withstood the tests of time as well as people that I can keep on a “hire and fire” basis. In this game your squad will form itself, because folks are going to abandon the dream if results aren’t expedient or to their expectation. As an underdog maintaining a small circle isn’t the challenge, it is picking the best team to get you to the top that is seemingly impossible. Not to mention I pray for guidance and discernment in all circumstances.
Do you have anything out where people can listen to your music, or catch one of your shows?
You can hear LAH music at myspace.com/LAHpremiere; reverbnaton.com/LAH; youtube.com/84tycoon; datpiff.com/LAH-featuring-xen-a-mixed-tape-mixtape; soundcloud.com/LAH. I keep Cd’s on me for purchase as well as tshirts. You can hear LAH Live at the M Bar on Wednesday’s (10 p.m,-2 .a.m.The Penthouse on Friday’s (10pm-2am) and/or clicks some Saturday’s (10pm-2am). You can also stay up on LAH news via twitter.com/LAHpremiere.com.
I see you all over the Internet
Gotta make sure I give the people what they want and have access to me whenever they hearts and ears desire LAH.
Before we wrap up just tell the people what can they expect from LAH, and what should they expect with your future endeavors.
Expect LAH to be popping up in other cities and countries with the band, blazing stages, and constructing more markets for live market. We (LAH Live) will be traveling year round in attempts to build a larger fan base and demand. Look out for us to be at huge festivals and large concerts, hopefully as opening acts for a tour sometime soon.
Want to say thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to sit down with Urban Centric, and helping us give our readers and your fans an insight into LAH LAH Land.
Thanks for having me.