Lazarus (rapper)
Lazarus | |
|---|---|
| کامران راشد خان | |
.jpeg) Lazarus in November 2015 | |
| Born | Kamran Rashid Khan |
| Education | |
| Occupations |
|
| Relatives | Amir Rashid Khan (brother) Mahmood (uncle) |
| Awards | see below |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Hip Hop |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | LazArmy.com |
Kamran Rashid Khan better known by his stage name Lazarus is a Detroit-based American rapper, songwriter and physician of Pakistani descent. He is known for his singles GODFLOW and Man On A Mission along with his songs Drug of Choice, Open Heart Surgery, Underdog, MTBK and Decapitation Chamber featuring Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Bizarre, Royce da 5'9", Bohemia and Ghostface Killah respectively.[1]
Early life
Kamran Rashid Khan was born in Detroit, Michigan to a Muslim family from Pakistan. He attended Wayne State University where he received a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Michigan State University where he studied medicine.[2]
Career
2000–05: Career beginnings
While studying medicine, Lazarus simultaneously built a career in Hip Hop. He started rapping without a stage name but later changed his name to Lazarus due to hate crimes and racial stereotyping. He told in an interview to The Source that after 9/11 he felt that his chances of becoming a rapper were finished and that his stage name metaphors the biblical character that resurrected from the dead.
Lazarus gained popularity through freestyle rapping on radio stations in Detroit. He won many rap battles on FM 95.5 and FM 105.9. His singles were also played on FM 98. Lazarus then started making mixtapes and performing at venues in Detroit including opening up for G-Unit and D12. In 2005, he was interviewed by Discovery Channel and was featured in the documentary titled “The Real 8 Mile,” which was hosted by Charlie LeDuff.[3]
2007–11: Debut album and mixtape
Lazarus released his debut album Chapter One: The Prince Who Would Be King in 2007 which led to receive him three nominations “Lyricist of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” and “Artist of the Year” at the 2007 Detroit Hip Hop Awards. The album had 18 tracks including a featured track with Royce da 5'9". The album spawned the single Let The Game Know. The single received over a million views on YouTube and its music video was directed by Anthony Garth. Another music video of the single Drug of Choice from his mixtape Lazarus Story (2010) received worldwide coverage and also gained over a million views on YouTube. It was filmed in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.[4][5]
2013–2015: All Def Digital and collaborations
In 2013, Lazarus signed to Russell Simmons' YouTube multi-channel network All Def Digital and in 2014 he released the single Open Heart Surgery featuring D12's rapper Bizarre.[6][7] It won the award for "Song of the Year" at the 12th Underground Music Awards in New York City.[8][9] Lazarus then released his single Underdog featuring Royce da 5'9" in July 2015. The track was introduced by Chuck D of Public Enemy.[10] In October 2015, he opened up for Ludacris at his concert in Dallas, Texas.[11] He was also featured on the song "Raw As It Gets" from D12's 2015 mixtape Devil's Night. The mixtape was introduced by Eminem and promoted by Shady Records.[12][13]
2016–present: Laz Army Records
In January 2016, Lazarus released the track Fearless featuring Crooked I in which he criticized Donald Trump. The song included the verse: “Donald wants my arm embedded, Muslims cannot stay here. Now I'm feeling like a mutant but am I Magnus or Xavier?” In an interview with Examiner.com, he said regarding this verse: “It’s like the comic book "X-Men." As silly as it may sound, Muslims are the new mutants of today’s society. Senator Kelly in the "X-Men" and Donald Trump are basically saying the same thing. There is supposed violence taking place by Muslims somewhere, now we must propose a ban on them all.”[14][15] Lazarus released the music video of Underdog featuring Royce da 5'9" in February 2016 under All Def Digital.[16][17] The music video of Raw As It Gets from D12's mixtape Devil’s Night was released in August 2016.[18][19]
In January 2017, Lazarus and Punjabi rapper Bohemia released their collaborative track MTBK (Mundian To Bach Ke) featuring Deep Jandu and Shaxe Oriah. The single was produced by Kali Denali Music as a tribute to the late Labh Janjua and its music video crossed 3 million views on YouTube.[20] His next single Man On A Mission produced by Dub Muzik was released in August 2017. DesiHipHop.com reviewed it positively saying "Lazarus just dropped his most creative song to date." The music video for the song was produced, edited and directed by Lazarus himself. It was released under his independent record company Laz Army Records and reached over a million views on YouTube.[21] Lazarus toured Pakistan in October 2017 and then released his next video Pakistan in November 2017 in which he rapped about the country in the Urdu language and dedicated it to the well renowned Pakistani poet Allama Iqbal on his birthday.
In December 2017, Lazarus celebrated the 10 year anniversary of his highly received 2007 track GODFLOW by releasing a music video for it. The video was shot in Lahore, Pakistan and produced by the visual effects team of Muhammad Shah. The song featured 100 bars of lyrics and was produced by Alpha-Bet. It was released on New Year's Eve under Laz Army Records and attained over a million views on YouTube on its first week of release.
In March 2018, Lazarus was featured on the track Raindrops alongside Royce da 5'9", Obie Trice and Swifty McVay of D12 on the mixtape No Parachute. The song was produced by Dub Muzik and introduced by Chuck D. Then in July 2018, Lazarus dropped the song Decapitation Chamber featuring Ghostface Killah of the Wu-Tang Clan. The song was produced by Rebel and introduced by Chuck D. Lazarus toured with Ghostface Killah in Canada to perform the single. The song was also awarded a plaque for having reached 5 million downloads off the Wu-Invasion Mixtape it was featured on hosted by Ghostface Killah & DJ Symphony.
In August 2017, Lazarus performed alongside Swifty McVay of D12 and Obie Trice in Pontiac, Michigan to promote the soundtrack of “Devil’s Night: Dawn of the Nain Rouge” starring Eminem’s brother Nathan Mathers. Lazarus was featured on the soundtrack on the song titled “It’s Coming.” Lazarus also performed on the ‘Shady Gang National Tour’ alongisde Swifty McVay, Obie Trice & Crooked I.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Open Heart Surgery | Underground Music Award for 'Song of the Year' | Won |
| 2015 | Lazarus | Underground Music Award for 'Artist of the Year' | Nominated |
| 2018 | Decapitation Chamber | Platinum Plaque for 5 Million Downloads |
Discography
Albums
| Year | Title | Artist(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Chapter One: The Prince Who Would Be King | Lazarus | debut album |
| 2010 | Lazarus Story | Lazarus | mixtape |
| 2018 | Music Is My Medicine | Lazarus | upcoming album |
Singles
| Year | Song | Featured Artist | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Let The Game Know | Alpha-Bet | |
| 2011 | Drug of Choice | Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan | Mast |
| Too Much Pride | Stretch Money | Alpha-Bet | |
| 2014 | Lay The Law Down | Swifty McVay, Kuniva | I.V. Duncan |
| Open Heart Surgery | Bizarre | Rooq | |
| 2016 | Underdog | Royce da 5'9" | Ollie |
| Fearless | Crooked I | DJ DDT | |
| 2017 | Awaaz | Mohammed Rafi | Rebel |
| Man On A Mission | Dub Muzik | ||
| Pakistan | Ghauri | ||
| GODFLOW | Alpha-Bet | ||
| 2018 | Decapitation Chamber | Ghostface Killah | Rebel |
Guest appearances
| Year | Song | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Raw As It Gets | D12 | Devil's Night (mixtape) |
| 2017 | MTBK | Bohemia, Deep Jandu, Shaxe Oriah | N/A |
| Infinity Gems | R-Mean, Tragedy Khadafi, Rebel, Chris Rivers, A-F-R-O | N/A | |
| 2018 | No Parachute | Swifty McVay | No Parachute (mixtape) |
| Raindrops | Royce da 5'9", Obie Trice, Swifty McVay | No Parachute (mixtape) | |
| It’s Coming | Swifty McVay | Devil’s Night: Dawn of the Nain Rouge (soundtrack) |
See also
References
- ^ Hamad (28 August 2010). "Introducing Pakistani US-born rapper & doctor Lazarus". KOM. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- ^ "Russell Simmons' All Def Digital Artist Doctor/Rapper Lazarus Impacts With "Open Heart Surgery" Song". iReport. New York City, New York, U.S. 3 January 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- ^ Isabelle Esling (29 December 2012). "Exclusive emcee Lazarus interview". Eninem and the Detroit Rap Scene. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- ^ "Lazarus "Drug of Choice" Music Video Release « MidEast Dynasty". mideastdynasty.com. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ^ Sneha Goud (26 April 2011). "Lazarus, the doctor of hip hop". brown girl. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- ^ "Russell Simmons Breaks New Ground in Hip-Hop with "Open Heart Surgery"". All Hip Hop. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- ^ Pologod (29 December 2014). "RUSSELL SIMMONS AND RAPPER LAZARUS USE HIP HOP TO FIGHT HEART DISEASE". The Source. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- ^ "The Nominees for The 12th Annual Underground Music Awards 2015". MyMusicMyLife.com. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ Raf, DJ (27 October 2015). "Lazarus Wins 'Song Of The Year' at the Underground Music Awards in NYC". desihiphop.com. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Pologod (24 July 2015). "DETROIT INTRODUCES NEW RAP GOD LAZARUS ALONGSIDE ROYCE DA 5'9" ON "UNDERDOG"". The Source. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ "LUDACRIS CONCERT". eventful. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ Rose Lilah (30 October 2015). "D12 - The Devil's Night: Mixtape". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ Zach Gase (30 October 2015). "D12 releases 'Devil's Night' mixtape". Sun Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Jesse Atkinson (20 January 2016). "Detroit Rapper Lazarus has words for Donald Trump". Examiner.com (see: examiner.com/article/detroit-rapper-lazarus-has-words-for-donald-trump). Accessed 12 April 2016.
- ^ Pologod (19 January 2016). "DONALD TRUMPED by LAZARUS & KXNG CROOKED on "FEARLESS" SINGLE". The Source. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ DJ Raf (15 February 2016). "Watch the Music Video – #UNDERDOG – Lazarus ft Royce da 5'9". desihiphop.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "NEW MUSIC VIDEO: LAZARUS – UNDERDOG FT. ROYCE DA 5'9". southpawer.com. 15 February 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ "D12 Feat. Lazarus - Raw As It Gets [D12 Submitted]". World Star Hip Hop. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
- ^ Khari (2 August 2016). "D12 HITS HARD WITH "RAW AS IT GETS" VISUAL FEATURING LAZARUS". The Source. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
- ^ "LAZARUS AND BOHEMIA JUST DROPPED A GAME CHANGER 'MTBK'". DesiHipHop.com. 3 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
- ^ "Lazarus Is A "Man On A Mission" & The World Is About To Find Out What His Mission Is! 'MTBK'". DesiHipHop.com. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017.