Lazarus (rapper)

Lazarus

Lazarus in November 2015
Native name کامران راشد خان
Born Kamran Rashid Khan
Detroit, Michigan, U.S
Residence Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S
Education
Occupation
  • Rapper
  • Songwriter
  • Physician
Religion Islam
Relatives Amir Rashid Khan (brother)
Mahmood (uncle)
Awards see below
Website LazArmy.com

Musical career

Genres Hip Hop
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2000–present
Labels All Def Digital
Associated acts

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 Drug of Choice, Open Heart Surgery, Fearless and Underdog featuring Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Bizarre, Crooked I and Royce da 5'9" 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 did 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 D12 and G-Unit. 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]

Lazarus receiving a standing ovation from Russell Simmons

2013–present: 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 which was introduced by Eminem.[12][13]

Lazarus performing at Dr. Pepper Arena in October 2015

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 under Shady Records.[18][19]

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

Discography

Albums

No. Title Artist(s) Year Notes
1. Chapter One: The Prince Who Would Be King Lazarus 2007 debut album
2. Lazarus Story Lazarus 2010 mixtape
3. The Devil's Night Mixtape D12 2015 featured artist
4. Music Is My Medicine Lazarus 2016 upcoming album

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hamad (28 August 2010). "Introducing Pakistani US-born rapper & doctor Lazarus". KOM. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  2. ↑ "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.
  3. ↑ Isabelle Esling (29 December 2012). "Exclusive emcee Lazarus interview". Eninem and the Detroit Rap Scene. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  4. ↑ "Lazarus "Drug of Choice" Music Video Release « MidEast Dynasty". mideastdynasty.com. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  5. ↑ Sneha Goud (26 April 2011). "Lazarus, the doctor of hip hop". brown girl. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  6. ↑ "Russell Simmons Breaks New Ground in Hip-Hop with "Open Heart Surgery"". All Hip Hop. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  7. ↑ Pologod (29 December 2014). "RUSSELL SIMMONS AND RAPPER LAZARUS USE HIP HOP TO FIGHT HEART DISEASE". The Source. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  8. ↑ "The Nominees for The 12th Annual Underground Music Awards 2015". MyMusicMyLife.com. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  9. ↑ Raf, DJ (27 October 2015). "Lazarus Wins 'Song Of The Year' at the Underground Music Awards in NYC". desihiphop.com. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  10. ↑ Pologod (24 July 2015). "DETROIT INTRODUCES NEW RAP GOD LAZARUS ALONGSIDE ROYCE DA 5'9" ON "UNDERDOG"". The Source. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "LUDACRIS CONCERT". eventful. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  12. ↑ Rose Lilah (30 October 2015). "D12 - The Devil's Night: Mixtape". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  13. ↑ Zach Gase (30 October 2015). "D12 releases 'Devil's Night' mixtape". Sun Times. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ Pologod (19 January 2016). "DONALD TRUMPED by LAZARUS & KXNG CROOKED on "FEARLESS" SINGLE". The Source. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  16. ↑ DJ Raf (15 February 2016). "Watch the Music Video – #UNDERDOG – Lazarus ft Royce da 5'9". desihiphop.com. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  17. ↑ "NEW MUSIC VIDEO: LAZARUS – UNDERDOG FT. ROYCE DA 5'9". southpawer.com. 15 February 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  18. ↑ "D12 Feat. Lazarus - Raw As It Gets [D12 Submitted]". World Star Hip Hop. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  19. ↑ Khari (2 August 2016). "D12 HITS HARD WITH "RAW AS IT GETS" VISUAL FEATURING LAZARUS". The Source. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
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