Misfit Tunes The Magazine September 2014 | Page 14

L aelo pronounced lay low formally Laelo Hood relocated to the Washington, DC metropolitan area in 1996 from St. Louis, MO. He generated an immediate buzz on the underground rap scene battling in local nightclubs. He slaughtered countless rappers while demolishing mics and stages around the DMV [DC//MD//VA] area. His destruction led to opportunities for him to open up for a few well known Go-Go bands. Laelo credits life as his main musical inspiration followed closely by rappers Jay-Z, Nas, and 2Pac. Jay-Z because of his consistency and business acumen, Nas because of his dedication and writing style, and 2Pac because of his passion. Many have of his fans sight these very same adjectives when describing their favorites rapper and or explain why they support Laelo. More often that not fans state Laelo is a passionated rapper who has embraced the business side of the music who delivers well written masterpieces with great consistency. In 2006 ten years after his arrival in Washington, DC Laelo independently released his debut album, “Ghetto Prophet: Water of Life.” The foundation of the album is the trials and tribulations an artist goes through on their musical journey. 14 “A Man will be a Man” tells of his struggle to be the man he wanted to become versus the man society expected him to be. The title track of the album “Water of Life” is a DC’s WPGC’s Home Jamz show hosted by DJ Heat and DJ Dirty Rico voted the song #1 consecutively for five weeks. It is the final song to be retired into the WPGC 95.5 Home Jamz Hall of Fame. “A Man Will Be a Man” is still hailed by fans as one of Laelo’s best records ever. In 2009, Laelo signed a two project deal with Washington, DC based label, Inner Loop Media Group. Inner Loop Ghetto prophet: Records is a lifestyle based Water For Life entertainment company focused on providing platforms very significant song to him for musical creativity and also. “I think it has the stronstrategic musical exposure. gest message on the album In 2010 believing The High and that wasn’t by accident.” Definition Society had great With captivating lyrics like potential to be the definition “I’m a man first hustler secof a seriously dope grassroots ond/ in the streets connected/ movement. Laelo and his respected not because I carry producer Str8 Beatz launched my weapon/ but cause I’m a “The High Definition Society” young black male motivator “HD Life” which instanted with intelligence/ plus I ly connected with a growing make music 100% relevant.” fan-base of “Lifers” across the “Creep,” an erotic tale of his world. infidelities, is guaranteed to The “HD Life” is based on be a hit with ladies. And yes the concept of seeing life with dudes you will vibe with the a clear view and not letting it track also. “Intimate Friends” be clouded by things like hate, is an illustrative depiction of judgment, or social expectafriends with benefits boosting tions.. People just gravitated lines like “Lift ya up lay ya towards to movement and down on ya back/ push ya legs what he represented. People in way back/ im