Lawrence Arnell

Lawrence Arnell

Arnell (centre), with Malik B. (left), and Vinnie Paz (right), 2014
Background information
Birth name Lawrence Arnell
Also known as Larry A, Larry Legend, L. Dorado, Diamondback
Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Genres Hip Hop
Occupation(s) Rapper, producer
Years active 1995-present
Labels Babygrande
Associated acts Vinnie Paz
King Syze
OuterSpace
Reef the Lost Cauze
Army of the Pharaohs
VZilla

Lawrence Arnell is a rapper and singer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He became known in the underground scene for his collaborations with Jedi Mind Tricks, OuterSpace, Dave Ghetto and others. He first collaborated with the JMT camp on Violent By Design under the name Diamondback in 2000. In 2014, he appeared on the Army of the Pharaohs studio albums In Death Reborn and Heavy Lies the Crown.[1] In November 2014, Arnell and Houston rapper Zilla released a collaboration LP titled "The Monster and Mr. Arnell" featuring Blacastan, Des Devious, and Helen Sciandra.

Lawrence has partnered with Dave Ghetto and Philadelphia based producer Dame Anthony to create Ghetto Rock Star. "L. Arnell has the type of talent that is able to span all genres of music, which allows him to bring something unexpected to a record, be it vocals, lyrics or track selection", cites Dave Ghetto.[2]

Biography

1995-2006: Early Career

Lawrence Arnell started off his career as an emcee/singer/song writer. At 19 years old, Lawrence caught the eye of Tommy Boy Records as a member of the hip-hop collective The Deadly Snakes. With dates on the Lyricist Lounge Tour, placements on the soundtrack to Jet Li's Black Mask movie and a co-sign from Prince Paul, The Snakes seemed to be on the right track. But soon after The Deadly Snakes disbanded following the release from their deal with Tommy Boy. While most would've thrown in the towel completely, Arnell fell back and sharpened his skills as an emcee as well as a vocalist and song writer.[3] In 2000, Arnell made a guest appearance on "Blood Reign" from JMT's Violent by Design under the name Diamondback.

In 2005, Arnell was featured on the track Chicken Kitchen Chop-Chop Mix by Nuthouse on their 12" vinyl; Snap Your Neck 2 Dis[4] This is considered to be his first breakthrough as an underground artist.

2007-2011: Breakthrough

In 2008, Arnell collaborated with King Syze on his second studio album The Labor Union. He was featured on the track Creep Show.[5] Later that year, fellow rap duo OuterSpace announced they were to release their third studio album God's Fury. Lawrence Arnell was featured on the track Quick Draw along with Doap Nixon.[6] In 2009, Jedi Mind Tricks frontman Vinnie Paz announced that he is working on his debut solo album Season of the Assassin slated for a 2010 release. Arnell was featured on the track Ain't Shit Changed.[7] In 2010, Arnell featured a single titled Nothin' Less and featured JuJu Mob member Reef the Lost Cauze. A music video was released on to YouTube in May 25, 2010.[8] In 2011, Lawrence Arnell was featured on Syze's third studio album Collective Bargaining on the track Rap for Real.[9] Underground rap artist Tygastyle released his album Father of the Year which featured the track Dangerous Living by Lawrence Arnell.[10] In 2012, Arnell gave his vocals on the collaboration album by Pacewon and Mr.Green; The Only Number That Matters Is Won on the track Slow.[11] Another notable feature of Arnell was in 2012, on single titled Stay True by rapper Awar. This was later included in the album Things Of That Nature / Nature Of The Beast[12]

2013-2014: Other Features and In Death Reborn

Rapper Vinnie Paz, released his second EP on October 29, 2013 titled Carry on Tradition.[13] Arnell was featured on the songs The Devils Ransom along with Jarren Benton and In the Middle of Nowhere.[14] On November 30, 2013, Vinnie Paz revealed that two new Army Of The Pharaohs albums would be released in 2014. The first album; In Death Reborn is slated for a release on 22 April and the second LP is expected to drop in November.[15] Lawrence Arnell was announced to be featured as a guest artist on the album alongside new addition of Army of the Pharaohs; new members Blacastan of The Demigodz and Zilla from Houston, Texas are said to be joining the group.[16] Arnell was also featured on King Syze's fourth studio album Union Terminology on the songs Union Goons and Business Agents alongside Planetary.[17]

Discograpahy

Studio albums

Deadly Snakes

Army of the Pharaohs

References

  1. ↑ "Army Of The Pharaohs - In Death Reborn to be released April, 2014 -". Hip Hop Site. Retrieved 2014-04-?. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ↑ http://www.mtv.com/artists/lawrence-arnell/biography/
  3. ↑ Last.fm Lawrence Arnell biography (Accessed: March, 2014)
  4. ↑ Nuthouse - Snap Your Neck 2
  5. ↑ The Labour Union - King Syze (Accessed: March, 2014)
  6. ↑ Outerspace members: Planetary, Crypt the Warchild & Doap Nixon and L.A. - Quick Draw from God's Fury
  7. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Vinnie-Paz-Season-Of-The-Assassin/master/271115
  8. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR8q7zMf78Y
  9. ↑ Collective Bargaining - King Syze (Feature from Lawrence Arnell) [Accessed: March, 2014)
  10. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Tygastyle-Father-Of-The-Year/release/4592175
  11. ↑ Lawrence Arnell - Slow
  12. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Awar-Things-Of-That-Nature-Nature-Of-The-Beast/release/5119505
  13. ↑ Carry On Tradition
  14. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_GHr15z9pc
  15. ↑ Apathy tweets: AOTP "In Death Reborn". April.
  16. ↑ "Army Of The Pharaohs - In Death Reborn to be released April, 2014 -". Hip Hop Site. Retrieved 2014-04-?. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  17. ↑ Track listing for Union Terminology (March 7, 2014) [Accessed: March 16, 2014]