| Labtekwon | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Omar Akbar |
| Also known as | Labtekwon |
| Origin | Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations | Emcee, producer |
| Instruments | Microphone, Turntables |
| Years active | 1980s—present |
| Labels | Ankh Ba Records |
Labtekwon (born Omar Akbar) is a hip hop artist from Baltimore, Maryland.[1] His explanation of the name is an acronym for "Lifeform Advanced Beyond Terrestrial Esoterics King Warrior Of Nubia."[2]
Labtekwon is the youngest son of soul singer and Harry Young, Jr., also known as "Doc Soul Stirrer". He graduated from Douglass High School, following in the footsteps of the Baltimore group Z3MC.[2] He soon became one of the best-known MCs in Baltimore's underground hip-hop community, with a long string of influential albums in his Labteknology series. He was invited to Los Angeles by the Project Blowed collective to perform in 1999.[3] In 2003, he appeared on the Baltimore City Paper "Best of Baltimore" list.[4] Labtekwon is a cultural enigma and a creative phenomena in the universe of Hip Hop. Labtekwon is a champion of Zulu Nation Freestyle Competition, various poetry slams and Baltimore Citypaper named him Best Mc of Baltimore 3 times, Beat of the Year and Song of the Year. Labtekwon has shared the stage with Afrika Bambaata, Rakim, Kool Keith, MF DOOM, Psycho Les, A Tribe Called Quest, Brand Nubian, KRS-One, Black Thought, Aceyalone, Digital Underground and countless other Hip Hop artists that represent the pinnacle of lyricism and excellence. He has left his mark on 28 releases including 15 full lengths on his own Ankh Ba Records. Noting Labtekwon's varied discography Urb Magazine called him 'the most eclectic mother fucker to ever emerge from Baltimore since John Waters'. From his 12' 'I Am Here' to his pioneering efforts with the 410 Pharaohs on the first Baltimore Club Music/ Hip Hop hybrid album: 410 Funk, Labtekwon has put a brand on the underground scene for posterity and die hard collectors alike. Labtekwon is an enigma of galactic proportion. Considered the "Thelonius Monk of Hip Hop" by Chuck D of Public Enemy. Labtekwon=Future Shock.