Labtekwon
| Labtekwon | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Omar Akbar |
| Also known as | Labtekwon |
| Origin | Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Emcee, producer, Anthropologist |
| Instruments | Microphone, Turntables |
| 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 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] Imagine combining Jean-Michel Basquiat, Richard Pryor, Amiri Baraka, HR of Bad Brains, Rakim, Seth Rogen and Marcus Garvey; then you would have a gateway to Labtekwon. Labtekwon has performed at the Lyricist Lounge in New York and Project Blowed in Los Angeles; both recognized as the ground zero of true school Hip Hop artists on both coasts. Labtekwon is also a champion of Zulu Nation Freestyle Competition and a Zulu Nation Chapter Leader for Baltimore and Washington, DC: Labtekwon is a true Hip Hop yogi. He is considered the greatest Emcee to ever hail from Baltimore, Maryland. 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 over 35 releases including 18 full length albums on his own Ankh Ba Records. The Music of Labtekwon defies all convention and every album he has released challenges listeners to go further outside of the box. From fusion of Skatepunk, Afrobeat, Jazz, Funk and the pioneering efforts with the 410 Pharaohs on the first Baltimore Club Music/ Hip Hop hybrid album: 410 Funk, Labtekwon has the most diverse catalog of music in the field of Emceeing. his most recent release: "NEXT: Baltimore Basquiat and the Future Shock" is a classic example of Labtekwon's innovative groundbreaking style of Hip Hop music. Considered the "Thelonious Monk of Hip Hop" by Chuck D of Public Enemy. Labtekwon=Future Shock.
Discography
- The Ghetto Gospel (1993)
- Labteknology, Volume 0: Baltimoorish Science (1997)
- Labteknology, Volume 1: The Future's Now...What's Next? (1994)
- Labteknology, Volume 2: Ladies Night (Live From Hell)" (1999)
- Labteknology, Volume 3: Proverbs of Passion (1995)
- "Labteknology, Volume 4: Nile Child: King of Kings (1998)
- Labteknology, Volume 5: Da Dawn (1995)
- Labteknology, Volume 7: Da Helpless Won (1996)
- Labteknology, Volume 8: Justus On Da Horizon (1998)
- Labteknology, Volume 9: The Art of Love (1999)
- "The Piankhi 7 Papyrus" (2000)
- Song of the Sovereign (2002)
- Hustlaz Guide to the Universe: Post Apocalyptic Version (2003)
- Murdaland Volume Won: Classic Jack Moves (2003)
- The Ghetto Dai Lai Llama: Hood Mystic (2005)
- Avant God (2005)
- "Ghettoclectic: King of The Slowburn" (2006)
- Population Control: Wrath of The Black Eniggma (2006)
- 93,000,000 Miles Rising (Killa Kamillionz) (2006)
- Jazzhall: The Epitome of Epiphany (The Tao of Slick) (2007)
- Emmett Till's Revenge (CSD) (2007)
- 410 Funk (410 Pharaohs) (2008)
- Di Na Ko Degg (2008)
- Di Na Ko Degg: Soul Power (2009)
- "NEXT: Baltimore Basquiat and the Future Shock" http://ankhba.com (2010)
- Hardcore: Labtekwon and the Righteous Indignation-Rootzilla vs Masta Akbarhttp://ankhba.com (2012)
- Evolutionary: The Omar Akbar Album/State of the Art http://ankhba.com (2013)
References
- ↑ Shapiro, Peter (2005) The Rough Guide to Hip-Hop, Rough Guides, ISBN 1-84353-263-8, p.219
- 1 2 Baghat Vinyl, Inc. (2007). "Labtekwon Interview". Retrieved 2008-01-19.
- ↑ McCabe, Bret (2005-03-16). "Taking It Back". Baltimore City Paper. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
- ↑ "Best MC". Baltimore City Paper. 2003-09-17. Retrieved 2008-01-19.