Craig "KLC" Lawson

Craig “KLC” Lawson

Biography

Craig "KLC" Lawson (born July 15, 1969), is a rap music producer from the Third Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana. He found fame as a member of No Limit Records' in-house production team, Beats by the Pound. Since leaving the label, he has been a member of the Medicine Men, consisting of much of the same producers as the original Beats by the Pound, as well as some new talent. Along with Mannie Fresh, KLC is arguably one of the most important producers in New Orleans Rap and in Southern Rap. Juelz Santana's appearance on Paul Wall's "I'm Real, What Are You?" is one of the few occasions a New York rapper appeared on a KLC-produced track. KLC has worked with numerous recording artists and is credited for having discovered several prominent rappers, including Fiend, Mystikal and Soulja Slim. Recently, Rakim worked with KLC on a new track in his studios in Baton Rouge. He has also been quoted as saying he is poised to release a new project titled "Alarm Clock: Better Late Than Never."

KLC grew up in the Melpomene Projects in New Orleans. His father played saxophone and Lawson followed in his musical footsteps, earning the nickname "The Drum Major" even before joining the Green Middle School marching band. Lawson became fascinated by the cadences of a marching band's snare - the sound would later influence his production style. He moved with family members to a house in Uptown New Orleans on Parkway (the street would later be honored in the name of his first professional musical venture - Parkway Pumpin' Records). In high school, KLC got into breakdancing, one of his rivals being Michael "Mystikal Mike" Tyler. Tyler, aka Mystikal, would ultimately become a lifelong music associate.

After graduating high school, KLC and longtime friend Dartanian "MC Dart" Stovall started recording in a makeshift studio in the basement of KLC's home. Both had full-time, hourly jobs and one day decided to quit their jobs and devote their time to making music. They pooled their last paychecks and completed their first cassette. From these modest means, the teens established Parkway Pumpin' Records.

Although many independent labels appeared in the wake of New Orleans's 1991 bounce explosion, Parkway Pumpin', founded by KLC and Dart, was one of the first. It was also one of the most influential stables of talent, although the limited finances of the indie label resulted in precious few recordings. When Master P founded No Limit Records in Richmond, California and moved the label to New Orleans, most of the original roster (aside from Master P's relatives) were taken directly from the Parkway label roster.

Most of Parkway's associates never recorded with the label. Artists like Fiend, Mac (as Lil Mac The Lyrical Midget), Mystikal Mike (as Mystikal), Mr. Serv-On and Da Hound (Da Gert Town Hounds/Full Blooded) all went on to record with No Limit Records without having anything released in their time at Parkway Pumpin'. Only one future No Limit Soldier recorded on Parkway. Magnolia (Soulja) Slim recorded his sole Parkway Pumpin' release in '94, "Soulja Fa Lyfe."

The first act to record on Parkway Pumpin' was 39 Posse, a trio composed of Derrick "Shack" Mushatt, KLC and Dart. 39 Posse released their debut single, "Clockin' / Pumped in Power," in 1991. In 1993, 39 Posse dropped their debut full-length, "39 Automatic". Songs like "Ask Them Hoes," showed KLC's sound to be immediately distinguishable from other producers with his use of deep, sustained bass and martial snares. "Stuntin' Stars," "Bitch I'm Dart" and "Pass the Snake" show the beginnings of the later signature sounds of Beats By the Pound -produced tracks, with their hard beats and bluesy piano. Later that same year, Parkway released Lil Elt & DJ Tee's "Get the Gat" and "Get The Gat Gemix".

On Parkway Pumpin' there were no contracts, and artists including KLC himself often simultaneously worked at other labels. In 1994, KLC played keyboards and 39 Posse produced EXD's No Elevation for In the House Records. Mystikal (now minus the "Mike") recorded his debut album with Big Boy Records, where KLC also produced a track for veteran New Orleans rapper Sporty T. In 1995, Magnolia Slim recorded The Dark Side EP (produced by KLC and featuring 6 Shot) at Hype Enough. Fiend followed Mystikal to Big Boy Records and recorded his debut album on that label.

Once Master P arrived in New Orleans, he brought Beats by the Pound on board, most notably, KLC, who as the lead producer of the team. Their combined production capacity (churning out hundreds of tracks over the course of their stint with the label) and signature sound transformed No Limit Records from a little-heard west coast label into a southern powerhouse that sold over 50 million units. Beginning in 1998 through 1999, alleging across the board unfair business practices, majority of the roster left No Limit Records, including Mystikal and majority of the Beats by the Pound production team, including KLC.

After leaving No Limit Records, KLC, along with fellow producers Mo B. Dick, Craig B and Odell, formed production team of The Medicine Men. The team operates under the company name Overdose Entertainment. As a member of The Medicine Men, KLC continued to produce no only for former No Limit Records labelmates such as Fiend and Mystikal, but other rap stars such as T.I. and Ludacris.

From 1988 to present, KLC is credited (solo and with other Medicine Men team members) on close to 300 studio recordings covering over 100 studio albums. Lawson's RIAA accolades include eighteen gold albums, twelve platinum albums, four double-platinum albums, two triple-platinum albums, and one quadruple-platinum album as well as two gold singles, two platinum singles and one double-platinum single. Lawson has two Grammy nominations, both at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album (Word of Mouf by Ludacris and Tarantula by Mystikal) and two BMI Awards - one for the hit single Move Bitch (by Ludacris) and one for the associated album Word of Mouf.

His discography not only includes dozens of track for No Limit artists, but other popular southern and west coast rappers including Mack 10, 5th Ward Weebie, Ludacris, Juvenile, David Banner, B.G., T.I., Trina, Paul Wall, Bun B, and Scarface.

Production
	All Tracks 39 Posse - 39 Automatic	Parkway Pumpin Records	1993
	Frank White Sporty Big Balla - Jackin' For Bounce '94	Big Boy Records	1994
	Ghetto Sarah Lee Mia X - Good Girl Gone Bad	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1995
	Ghetto Stories Tre-8 - Ghetto Stories	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1995
	You Got It Down South Hustlers - Bouncin' And Swingin'	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1995
	Bout It, Bout It II Master P - Ice Cream Man	Priority Records, No Limit Records	1996
	He Shot - I Shot (Drama) Sporty-T - The Saga Continues	Sporty Records	1996
	Black Jesus Kane & Abel - The 7 Sins	No Limit Records, Priority Records, Doral Records	1996
	The Shocker Silkk - The Shocker	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1996
	Crooked Ass Cops Skull Dugrey - Hoodlum Fo' Life	No Limit Records, Priority Records, Spiral Records	1996
	Bang 'Em Up Various - The Substitute (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)	Priority Records	1996
	Get Cha Mind Right Various - The Southwest Riders	Sick Wid' It Records, Jive	1997
	R.I.P. Tupac Various - Master P Presents West Coast Bad Boyz II	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1997
	No Limit Soldiers Tru - Tru 2 Da Game	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1997
	Tryin' To Make It Out Da Ghetto Mr. Serv-On - Life Insurance	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1997
	You Don't Wanna Go 2 War Mia X - Unlady Like	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1997
	Cops Runnin' After Ya Various - I'm Bout It (From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1997
	Born 2 Be A Soldier Mystikal - Unpredictable	Jive, No Limit Records	1997
	How To Be A Playa Various - Def Jam's How To Be A Player Soundtrack	Def Jam Recordings	1997
	It's On Steady Mobb'n - Pre-Meditated Drama	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1997
	Make 'Em Say Uhh! Master P - Ghetto D	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1997
	Is There A Heaven 4 A Gangsta? Various - Rhyme & Reason (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)	Priority Records	1997
	Walk Like A "G" Fiend - There's One In Every Family	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	On The Run C-Murder - Life Or Death	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	No Limit Soldiers II Various - The Colonel Master P Presents No Limit Soldiers - We Can't Be Stopped	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	Hit A Lick Steady Mobb'n - Black Mafia	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	Ghetto Godzilla Magic - Skys The Limit	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	Shakin In The Streets Skull Duggery - These Wicked Streets	No Limit Records, Penalty Recordings	1998
	Make Some Room Big Ed - The Assassin	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	Lost Thugs Ghetto Commission - Wise Guys	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	Made Niggaz Mack 10 - The Recipe	Hoo Bangin' Records, Priority Records	1998
	That's The Nigga Mean Green - Major Players Compilation	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	Itch Or Scratch Various - I Got The Hook-Up! (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	No Matter What Big Bear - Doin Thangs	Tru Game Records	1998
	At The Same Time Soulja Slim - Give It 2 'Em Raw	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	Wooo Mac - Shell Shocked	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	The Edge Of The Blade Various - Blade (Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture)	Epic, TVT Soundtrax	1998
	I'm A Baller Gambino Family - Ghetto Organized	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	I'm A Soldier Silkk The Shocker - Charge It 2 Da Game	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	Snoop World Snoop Dogg - Da Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	Count Down Full Blooded - Memorial Day	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	Puttin' It Down Mia X - Mama Drama	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	I Got The Hook-Up! Sons Of Funk - The Game Of Funk	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	We Gots To Do 'Em Prime Suspects - Guilty Til Proven Innocent	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	Till We Dead And Gone Master P - MP Da Last Don	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	Round Out The Tank Mystikal - Ghetto Fabulous	No Limit Records, Jive	1998
	Keep It Real Young Bleed - My Balls And My Word	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	Kane & Abel - Am I My Brothers Keeper	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1998
	Money Talks C-Murder - Bossalinie	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1999
	Made For Walkin Hype Enough Records - Limited Edition	Hype Enough Records	1999
	Down 4 My N's Snoop Dogg - No Limit Top Dogg	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1999
	We Ain't Hard 2 Find Lil Italy - On Top Of Da World	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1999
	This Is 4 My Silkk The Shocker - Made Man	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1999
	Tank Nigga Mr. Servon - Da Next Level	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1999
	For My Shorties Lil Soldiers - Boot Camp	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1999
	War 4 Reason Fiend - Street Life	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1999
	Hoody Hoo Tru - Da Crime Family	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1999
	Mo B's Theme Mo B. Dick - Gangsta Harmony	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1999
	You Ain't A Baller Master P Presents No Limit All Stars - Who U Wit?	No Limit Records, Priority Records	1999
	Big Truck Boys Mystikal - Let's Get Ready	Jive	2000
	Hook It Up Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - The Collection: Volume Two	Ruthless Records	2000
	Show Dat Work 5th Ward Weebie - Ghetto Platinum	Most Wanted Empire	2000
	The Grudge Skull Duggrey - 3rd Ward Stepper: The Album	Hoodlum Entertainment, Private I Records, Hard Hit Records	2000
	Move Bh* Ludacris - Word Of Mouf	Def Jam South, Disturbing Tha Peace	2001
	Paper Stack Mystikal - Tarantula	Jive	2001
	Move Bh* Ludacris Presents Disturbing Tha Peace - Golden Grain	Def Jam South	2002
	Soulja Slim - Years Later	Cut Throat Committy	2002
	What It Do David Banner - Mississippi: The Album	Universal Records	2003
	For Everybody Juvenile - Juve The Great	Cash Money Records, Universal Records	2003
	U Hear Dat Soulja Slim - Years Later... A Few Months After	Koch Records, Cut Throat Comitty Records, In The Paint Records	2003
	Amped Up Turk - Raw & Uncut	Koch Records	2003
	What They Do T.I. - Urban Legend	Atlantic, Grand Hustle	2004
	Don't Talk To Me B.G. - Life After Cash Money	Koch Records	2004
	Shake Trina - Glamorest Life	Slip-N-Slide Records, Atlantic	2005
	Bun Bun B - Trill	Rap-A-Lot Records	2005
	My Life C-Murder - The Truest S#!@ I Ever Said	Koch Records, TRU Records	2005
	Get Up B.G. - The Heart Of Tha Streetz Vol. 1	Koch Records	2005
	Club Bangaz Scarface - My Homies, Part 2	Rap-A-Lot Records	2006
	Fiend - The Addiction: Hope Is Near	Fiend Entertainment	2006
	I'm Real, What Are You? Paul Wall - Get Money, Stay True	Atlantic, Swishahouse	2007
	Hook It Up Master P - Featuring...	Priority Records	2007
	Hood Made Me Mr. Serv-On - Life Insurance 2: Heart Muzik	Lightyear Entertainment	2008
	Hit The Block & Roll B.G. - Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood	E1 Entertainment, Atlantic, Chopper City Records	2009
	Tru Tank Dogs Various - Snoop Dogg Presents My #1 Priority	Priority Records	2010