La the Darkman

Lason Jackson, better known as La the Darkman, is a Wu-Tang Clan affiliated rapper and MC from Grand Rapids.^[1]

Biography

Jackson was born in New York City, New York and grew up Crown Heights, Brooklyn with his brother William Jackson.^[2] He negotiated his first deal while finishing high school and was a protégé of the Wu-Tang Clan having grown particularly close with various members. Jackson later secured a distribution deal through Navarre Distribution, with whom he released his debut album Heist of the Century in 1998. He later toured with several singers and groups such as 50 Cent and the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as launching his own management company and children's clothing store. Jackson later relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he worked with Aphilliates Music Group and Embassy Entertainment, later negotiating a joint-venture deal with both companies for Universal Records. He also worked in a business capacity for DJ Drama, setting up booking arrangements and endorsement deals. Jackson also helped executive produce the album Gangsta Grillz.^[3] The two would eventually stop working together.^[2]

He is the older brother of rapper Willie the Kid

Reception

Jackson's Heist of the Century album was largely panned by WARR.org, saying that "[a]lthough there are no horrendous tracks, there's also little of the unique energy that characterizes most Wu-Tang releases, and there's no strong argument for picking this up unless you're a Wu completist".^[4] Heist of the Century later placed 37 on Billboard's "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums" on December 5, 1998.^[5]

Rapper/actor Drake mentioned Jackson during a MTV interview calling him one of the "Hottest MCs in the Game" ^[6] Vibe praised Jackson's participation in the Uncontrolled Substance album, calling his overtures "seductive".^[7]

Discography

Albums

• Heist of the Century (1998)
• La Paraphernalia EP (2014)

Appearances

• Soul Assassins I - DJ Muggs (1997)
• Uncontrolled Substance - Inspectah Deck (1999)
• Beneath The Surface - GZA (1999)
• Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (soundtrack) (1999)
• Bi-Polar - Vanilla Ice (2001)
• The Greatest Story Never Told - Shyheim (2004)
• I Got Your Money - Ol Dirty Bastard (2004)
• 4:21... The Day After - Method Man (2006)
• Gangsta Grillz Vol.1 & 2(Albums) - DJ Drama (2007)&(2009)
• Absolute Greatness LP& Never A Dull Moment LP - Willie the Kid

Mixtapes

• Return of the Darkman (with J-Love) (2006)
• Dead Presidents (with Willie the Kid) (2006)
• The Notorious LAD (with DJ Drama) (2008)
• Living Notoriously (with DJ Drama) (2009)
• Return of the Darkman, Part 2 (with J-Love) (2010)
• Embassy Invasion (with DJ Green Lantern) (2011))
• Living Notoriously Part 2 (as "L.A.D. a.k.a. La...")(2011)
• "Midwest Kush:Pyrex Edition" L.A.D (2011)
• "Midwest Kush:Pyrex Edition pt.2" (2012)
• "Diary of a Playboy" (2012)
• "Diary of a Playboy 2" (2013)

Singles

• I Want It All (1999)

References

External links

• La The Darkman profile at Wu-Tang Corp
• La The Darkman on Twitter
• La The Darkman discography at Discogs