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 | LazArmyGear.com |
Kamran Rashid Khan, known professionally as Lazarus, is a Detroit-based American rapper, songwriter and physician of Pakistani descent. He is known for his singles "GODFLOW", "Break the Walls" 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
[edit]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 Biological Sciences[2] and subsequently Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine where he studied medicine and obtained his medical degree in 2010.[3][4] He further specialized in hospital medicine.[5]
Career
[edit]2000–05: Career beginnings
[edit]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 magazine 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 was resurrected from the dead.
Lazarus started 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.[6]
2007–11: Debut album and mixtape
[edit]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.[7][8]
2013–2015: All Def Digital and collaborations
[edit]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.[9][10] It won the award for "Song of the Year" at the 12th Underground Music Awards in New York City.[11][12] Lazarus then released his single "Underdog" featuring Royce da 5'9" in July 2015. The track was introduced by Chuck D of Public Enemy.[13] In October 2015, he opened up for Ludacris at his concert in Dallas, Texas.[14] 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.[15][16]
2016–2018: Laz Army Records
[edit]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."[17][18] Lazarus released the music video of "Underdog" featuring Royce da 5'9" in February 2016 under All Def Digital.[19][20] The music video of "Raw As It Gets" from D12's mixtape Devil's Night was released in August 2016.[21][22]
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 4 million views on YouTube.[23] 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.[24] 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.[25] 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.[26]
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.[27][28] Then in July 2018, Lazarus dropped the song "Decapitation Chamber" featuring Ghostface Killah of the Wu-Tang Clan. The song was produced by Rebel of KhanArtists and introduced by Chuck D.[29][30] 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 and DJ Symphony.[31] In August 2018, 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. Lazarus was featured on the soundtrack on the song titled "It's Coming".[32] Lazarus also performed on the 'Shady Gang National Tour' alongside Swifty McVay, Obie Trice and Crooked I.[33] In October 2018, Lazarus released the music video of "Decapitation Chamber" with Ghostface Killah and then toured with him in Vancouver, Canada and San Francisco, California.[34][35] He then toured with the collective Wu-Tang Clan in Washington DC and Boston, Massachusetts followed by concerts in Australia and New Zealand. The music video of "Decapitation Chamber" crossed over a million views on YouTube.[36][37][38]
2019-Present: Wu-Tang Clan tour and treating COVID-19
[edit]In January 2019, Lazarus was interviewed on 50 Cent's radio station ThisIs50 by DJ Thoro. He then opened up for Wu-Tang Clan on 2 sold-out shows in Philadelphia followed by 2 sold-out shows in New York City which were hosted by Funkmaster Flex.[39] He continued touring with Wu-Tang Clan in Detroit, Cleveland, Raleigh, Seattle and Tucson.[40] In July 2019, Lazarus was interviewed on Eminem's radio station Shade 45.[41] He was then featured by Bizarre on the song "Leatherface" alongside King Gordy & Hopsin which was released on Halloween.[42]
In January 2020, Lazarus released his single "You Already Know" featuring Rick Ross & Gucci Mane.[43] He then went on a US tour with GZA of Wu-Tang Clan.[44] In February 2020, Lazarus released his single "Break the Walls" featuring female vocalist Legha. The song was aimed at uniting people of all ethnicities and racial backgrounds. It was produced by Dr Zeus and received over 2 million views on YouTube.[45] In April 2020, Lazarus was interviewed by DJ Vlad on VladTV to discuss his experiences as a physician on the front lines of combating COVID-19 at his hospital in Las Vegas.[46] In May 2020, he was interviewed by DJ Vlad again and also appeared on the song "Fit In" by 80 Empire which also featured Fred the Godson & Bishop Lamont.[47] In September 2020, Lazarus released his single "Medical Marijuana" featuring Redman in which he rapped about the medical benefits of cannabis.[48]
In January 2021, Lazarus was featured by Locksmith on the lyrical back and forth anthem "Signs." After the song was released, Lazarus was interviewed by Fat Joe on his podcast The Big Big Show. He was also featured on Cassidy's album Da Wiseman on the song "Can't Do It Alone." The video for this song was premiered on Worldstar and received over a million views.[49] Lazarus then released his full Urdu track "Qatal" and "Bande Kharab" featuring 10-year-old Pakistani rapper Kaky Thou$and on Laz Army Records. In August 2021, Lazarus dropped the theme song for WWE wrestler Jinder Mahal for his SummerSlam 2021 PPV match up.[citation needed]
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Open Heart Surgery | Underground Music Award for 'Song of the Year' | Won |
| 2015 | Lazarus | Underground Music Award for 'Artist of the Year' | Nominated |
| 2018 | Decapitation Chamber | Platinum Plaque for 5 Million Downloads |
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]| Year | Title | Artist(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Chapter One: The Prince Who Would Be King | Lazarus | debut album |
| 2010 | Lazarus Story | Lazarus | mixtape |
| 2024 | Detroit to Antophill | Lazarus, Emiway Bantai | upcoming album |
Singles
[edit]| Year | Song | Featured Artist | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "Let The Game Know" | Alpha-Bet | |
| 2011 | "Drug of Choice" | Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan | Mast |
| "Too Much Pride" | Stretch Money | Alpha-Bet | |
| 2014 | "Lay The Law Down" | Swifty McVay, Kuniva | I.V. Duncan |
| "Open Heart Surgery" | Bizarre | Rooq | |
| 2016 | "Underdog" | Royce da 5'9" | Ollie |
| "Fearless" | Crooked I | DJ DDT | |
| 2017 | "Awaaz" | Mohammed Rafi | Rebel of KhanArtists |
| "Man on a Mission" | Dub Muzik | ||
| "Pakistan" | Ghauri | ||
| "GODFLOW" | Alpha-Bet | ||
| 2018 | "Decapitation Chamber" | Ghostface Killah | Rebel of KhanArtists |
| 2020 | "You Already Know" | Rick Ross, Gucci Mane | Tez |
| "Break the Walls" | Legha | Dr Zeus | |
| "Medical Marijuana" | Redman | Shawn Ski | |
| "Trap City" | Kyyba Films | ||
| 2021 | "Qatal" | Harm Sandhu | |
| "Bande Kharab" | Kaky Thou$and, Asif Balli | Lil AK 100 | |
| "Maharaja" | Raftaar, Manj Musik, Sikander Kahlon | Manj Musik | |
| 2022 | "GOAT" | Yo Yo Honey Singh | |
| 2022 | "Lobotomy" | Emiway Bantai | Stan Da Man |
Guest appearances
[edit]| Year | Song | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | "Raw As It Gets" | D12 | Devil's Night (mixtape) |
| 2017 | "MTBK" | Bohemia, Deep Jandu, Shaxe Oriah | |
| "Infinity Gems" | R-Mean, Tragedy Khadafi, Radamiz, Rebel of KhanArtists, Chris Rivers, A-F-R-O | ||
| 2018 | "No Parachute" | Swifty McVay | No Parachute (mixtape) |
| "Raindrops" | Royce da 5'9", Obie Trice, Swifty McVay | No Parachute (mixtape) | |
| 2019 | "It's Coming" | Swifty McVay | Devil’s Night: Dawn of the Nain Rouge (soundtrack) |
| "Leatherface" | Bizarre, King Gordy, Hopsin | Rufus | |
| 2020 | "Fit In" | 80 Empire, Fred the Godson, Bishop Lamont | Legacy |
| "Prescription" | Swifty McVay | Detroit Life | |
| 2021 | "Signs" | Locksmith | The Lock Sessions Vol. 2 |
| "Can’t Do It Alone" | Cassidy | Da Wiseman | |
| "Long Story Longer Cypher" | Swifty McVay, Ras Kass, MRK SX, Marv Won, Miz Korona, Planet Asia, Killah Priest, Bronze Nazareth | Long Story Longer | |
| "BOOOM" | Kidshot, Talhah Yunus | ||
| 2022 | "Pakistani King" | Kaky Thou$and | |
| "My City" | Azeem Haq, The Game, Fredro Starr, JRDN | ||
| 2022 | "Lobotomy" | Emiway Bantai |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Hamad (28 August 2010). "Introducing Pakistani US-born rapper & doctor Lazarus". KOM. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- ^ People: Kamran Rashid Khan (ah8994) - website of the Wayne State University
- ^ https://projects.kora.matrix.msu.edu/files/162-565-1308/S201_2010S.pdf Commencement 2010 Spring Semester: Candidates-Spring and Summer, 2010 - Degree of Doctor of Medicine] - pdf of the website of the Center for Digital Humanities & Social Sciences of the Michigan State University
- ^ "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.
- ^ Dr. Kamran R Khan, DO - website Vitals Consumer Service
- ^ Isabelle Esling (29 December 2012). "Exclusive emcee Lazarus interview". Eminem 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "NEW MUSIC VIDEO: LAZARUS – UNDERDOG FT. ROYCE DA 5'9". southpawer.com. 15 February 2016. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ "D12 Feat. Lazarus - Raw As It Gets [D12 Submitted]". World Star Hip Hop. Retrieved 8 August 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ 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. Archived from the original on 4 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.
- ^ "Lazarus Drops pakistan tribute". DesiHipHop.com. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
- ^ "MOTOWN PHENOM LAZARUS MAKES WORLDWIDE IMPACT WITH "GODFLOW" (100 BARS) VISUAL". thesource.com. 2 January 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
- ^ "DETROIT MEGA ANTHEM "RAINDROPS" FEAT. ROYCE DA 5'9", OBIE TRICE, SWIFTY MCVAY AND LAZARUS". thesource.com. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ^ "ROYCE 5'9", OBIE TRICE, SWIFTY MCVAY & LAZARUS – RAINDROPS", OBIE TRICE, SWIFTY MCVAY AND LAZARUS". premierwuzhere.com. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
- ^ "GHOSTFACE KILLAH RECRUITED BY LAZARUS FOR "DECAPITATION CHAMBER" TRACK". thesource.com. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ "Lazarus Taps Wu-Tang Legend Ghostface Killah For "Decapitation Chamber"". hotnewhiphop.com. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
- ^ "Lazarus ft. Ghostface Killah "Decapitation Chamber" Reaches 5 Million Downloads". detroitrap.com. July 31, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
- ^ "Lazarus & Swifty McVay have a song on the soundtracks album of Eminem brother's new movie". www.southpawer.com. 2 July 2018. Archived from the original on July 15, 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
- ^ "SHADY GANG National Tour". detroitrap.com. 6 Sep 2018. Retrieved 6 Sep 2018.
- ^ "LAZARUS FT. GHOSTFACE KILLAH – DECAPITATION CHAMBER". therapfest.com. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- ^ "GHOSTFACE KILLAH & LAZARUS DECAPITATE MUMBLE RAPPERS". www.worldstarhiphop.com. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
- ^ "Feed The Scene Presents..WU-TANG CLAN". www.impconcerts.com. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ "Enter The Wu-Tang 36 Chambers Tour at Tsongas Center". rockstarculture.com. 11 November 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
- ^ "Wu-Tang Clan, Auckland NZ, 2018". www.ambientlightblog.com. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
- ^ "Wu-Tang Clan Lazarus, Scholito, DJ Saki". www.bowerypresents.com. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
- ^ "Wu-Tang Clan Brings Da Ruckus to the Agora". www.clevescene.com. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
- ^ "Lazarus Unleashes A Fury of Bars With His Brand New Shade 45 Freestyle". www.detroitrap.com. 9 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
- ^ "FEATURED World Premiere: Bizarre – "Leatherface" feat. Hopsin, King Gordy, & Lazarus". www.detroitrap.com. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
- ^ "Lazarus – "You Already Know" ft. Rick Ross & Gucci Mane". www.detroitrap.com. 18 January 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
- ^ "GZA adds more 'Liquid Swords' North American shows (2 NYC full-band dates)". www.brooklynvegan.com. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ "Lazarus – "Break the Walls" ft. Lady Legha". www.detroitrap.com. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
- ^ "DR. KHAN ON TREATING COVID-19 PATIENTS, WHY IT SPREADS QUICKLY, REASON IT'S DEADLY (FULL INTERVIEW)". www.24hourhiphop.com. 20 April 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "TRACK FIT IN FEAT. FRED THE GODSON". www.beatport.com. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
- ^ "Lazarus – "Medical Marijuana" Ft. Redman". www.undergroundhiphopblog.com. 28 Sep 2020. Retrieved 28 Sep 2020.
- ^ "Cassidy Feat. Lazarus & Devon Culture - Can't Do It Alone". www.worldstarhiphop.com/. 18 Jul 2021. Retrieved 18 Jul 2021.