labratz
Artist from Atlanta, GA
- age: Unknown
- member since: 10 months ago
about labratz...
LABRATZ BIO
About every 10-15 years an entity appears on the scene to change the face of modern music. Labratz is the next group to cause the paradigm shift. Comprised of two members of the Atlanta based group Da Backwudz, Big Marc and Sho Nuff have re-invented themselves as Leon Rawstein and Marty Mc Fly, emcee superhero/scientists. They are joined by fellow emcee partners Heavy Slim and G-Wiz. All four members have joined forces with platinum producer Sol Messiah (Chamillionaire, Nappy Roots) to form Labratz, the super group of the future and to create a classic first album.
The group was all born and raised in the east side of Atlanta/Decatur area, except for G-Wiz who was born in Memphis Tennessee and emigrated to Decatur at age six. They all had grown up with a love for music respectively, from singing, live instrumentation, rapping or making beats. Heavy Slim and G-Wiz were already collaborating together at Redan High School making beats and songs on the ASR 10. They were joined by Leon Rawstein who was an aspiring artist who had a background in music from playing saxophone in marching band. Leon would come to G-Wiz’s house to rap over tracks created on G-wiz’s equipment. Leon and his first cousin Marty McFly were collaborating as a duo as well while Marty was attending Lakeside High School in Decatur. Marty had a back round in saxophone like his cousin, and was a part of another rap group. When he started working with Leon who was also trying his hand at making beats, the Labratz collective started to come together in the vibe of creativity like one of their predecessors The Dungeon Family (Outkast, Goodie Mob).
In 1998 Leon and Marty formed the group Da Backwudz as a duo while still making music with Labratz. A few years later Da Backwudz got a record deal with Dallas Austin’s Rowdy Records. They released the acclaimed album Wood Work and gained a legion of fans though MTV, touring, and radio. Even with all that was going for the crew, the release did not garner the sales that they expected. Leon and Marty moved forward unperturbed working even more with Heavy and G-Wiz who were perfecting their skills. The Labratz collaborative was being born, with one last piece to the puzzle coming into the picture.
Sol Messiah was just coming off a freshly inked publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing and was busy creating songs for artists with songwriters and musicians in late 2006 and early 2007. While doing all this work, he was still dealing with his unfulfilled desire to work on a group project with some talented artists who wished as he did to bring real Atlanta hip hop back to the forefront. As luck would have it, DJ Burn One (Bubba Sparxx) was working on a solo project and requested some production for a song he was recording with Da Backwudz. As they made the song, Leon and Marty immediately clicked with Sol Messiah. They communicated that they had a solo project that they should collaborate on. This idea immediately sparked Sol Messiah who had recently formed a label with two partners named Royal Family Music. Once the Labratz super group joined forces with Sol Messiah, classic songs started being created quickly and easily like magic.
The Labratz self titled first album is complete and destined for classic status. The release is filled with slick and witty lyrics and metaphors that stay grounded in reality and social awareness. The music is diverse and intoxicating with Sol Messiah’s stellar production which freely uses live instrumentation and vocals which seamlessly fuses the Labratz’ hardcore hip hop feel with organic soul, rock, and harmony. The first single from the release is “White Leather”, a fun track which is already making waves amongst DJs and in select clubs. After the first Labratz release, Royal Family Music will begin to release the solo albums for each Labratz member. While the fans enjoy the releases, the group will be touring extensively to support their records as well as making quality music for their fans. The Labratz is destined t
