La@

Brownsville, Brooklyn – Home of The Brave:

Lateef A LeGree aka LA@ oozes Brownsville, Brooklyn through his pores. The way he moves, the lean in his walk and his slick New York accent are just a few signs of his incorruptible Brooklynite lineage. In that way, one can say he is not so different from other rappers that represent Bucktown to the death. But in actuality, there’s nothing similar between him and other spitters currently operating in the game. Even his nickname has a unique philosophy behind it. “LA” is an abbreviation of his first names, and the “@” symbol is an abstraction of the word “artist.” He confides that there’s even a more profound definition to the symbol in his moniker, but adds in a mercurial tone that a “deeper revelation” will be disclosed at a later date.

There are several degrees of separation between LA@ and your common, everyday rapper. First, there’s the advanced angle from which he’s attacking the game. As most rappers continue to spin fabricated yarns about crime, sex, drugs and excessive materialism, he’s decided to take the path less travelled and shed light and positivity instead of enforcing the same, negative stereotypes. It’s a conscious decision he made based on his own tough, real-life experiences.

“I’m an ‘80s baby,” he states, “so I grew up in all the different eras - from the crack-cocaine days to the heroine resurgence and everything in-between. I’ve been on I-95 headed out of town to do the evil that men do. I’ve lived that life and rapped about selling drugs and disrespecting women, but it just got to a point in my life where all things had to change.”

Then there’s also the religion aspect of things. LA@ is a dedicated Muslim and it’s a way of life that guides and dictates the way he lives his life and conducts his duties.

Secondly, the superior, unorthodox music he creates differentiates him from other carbon-copy rhymesayers. These days, you’ll find the dark, solidly-built Brownsille poet spitting wisdom-soaked lines and knowledge-laced tablets that profess elevation and inspiration. Potent quotes in his lyrics like “I’m bold and you know it /You don’t have to be strapped to be heroic” show his maturity and willingness to speak the truth – no matter the consequences. Always the nonconformist, LA@ also specializes in unconventional tracks that display atypical deliveries and unusual rhythms. You see, he’s an artist in all senses of the word, and true artists never afraid to wrestle with the new and untried. In addition, he’s formed his own label, Final Truth Records which serves as home for his own music releases and projects from other like-minded artists. “My music isn’t for everybody,” Lateef clarifies. “It’s for those that see and visualize the words I’m speaking, and can appreciate the truth in my music,” he says forcefully. “People can either get with the movement or get rolled over.”

Thirdly, pedestrian rappers can’t mess with the depth, texture and vision he’s bringing to the Hip-Hop arena. With an outlook and philosophy that encompasses ancient Japanese customs, a strong adherence to historical precepts, and an expansive global perspective, he’s coming way deeper than the regular rap singer. Whoever said that the intelligence and keen insight have vanished from Hip-Hop really needs to take a nice long listen to LA@’s repertoire. He’s also knee-deep in the movie game with roles already secured in some upcoming flicks, and plans in the offing to write and produce his own film projects. .

Ultimately the Lateef brand is all about respect, illumination and enlightenment. However, that doesn’t mean he’s coming at the masses on a preachy, overbearing tip. That myopic assessment couldn’t be farther from the truth. “I keep it fly, I’m into fashion, and I know what’s up, and I got mud on my boots just like you,” the Brooklyn soldier offers. “The only difference is that I’ve found a better and more truthful way to live.”
In the meantime, look out for his new project, “The Notorious LA@” dropping in the Summer of 2009. It promises to be a dishful of mental nourishment for thirsty minds. “The ink from a pen is mightier than the blood of a martyr,” he philosophically intones, and LA@ is planning to use his music to spark the minds of individuals everywhere for decades to come. Better align with the Final Truth revolution or get left by the wayside. Enough said.

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