Songwriter and Hip Hop artist, Laws, explains to "On the Come Up"why he's taking charge of the music industry.
What inspires you to compose music?
Laws: Well, as a big music fan, I get a certain kind of feeling that can't be matched by anything else. When I hear a record that really connects with me or see someone live that really connects with me, it's indescribable. The fact that a human being can generate that for another person just made me always wish I could do that for other people, one day; just give them that feeling of great music.
What are you working on, currently?
L: Currently, I am finishing up one more promotional CD and it's a Paul McCartney dedication. Then, I'm working on the [debut] album. As a musician, I plan to do as much as I can to improve and further the musical landscape of Hip Hop. For anyone who hasn't heard my mixtape, 4:57, I can't stress this enough: As a musical fan, people need to listen to it; I think everyone should take a few moments out of the day and check it out. I'm extremely proud of it and I'm very happy with it.
Where are you from, originally?
L: I live in Florida. I was raised in New York. And I was born in South America.
Who is your musical mentor and why?
L: That's a tricky question because I'm very receptive to criticism. So, if I feel that someone is more knowledgable than me on anything, I'll just take what I can learn from them. So, it could be a different person at any given time. I don't have one old man who's like a wizard that's telling me all his tricks. Whoever I work with that I kind of admire and with whom I feel that I could take away (learn) something, then I just kind of let them guide me. I'm always listening. And I love the comparisions [of myself] to Eminem and Drake because those are two of the greatest MCs out right now. I have a bragging style and arrogant style. I use a lot of punchlines. I talk about life. A lot of rappers do that. It just happens that my vocal tone kind of registers a little more with those guys than other people.
What was your first introduction into the music industry?
L: My first competition on stage, which was when I was about 15 or 16 years old. That was probably one of my first tastes of being in front of people. And I think considering what I'm doing, now, that would be my first foray.