KLC facts for kids
Quick facts for kids KLC |
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KLC in 2023
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Craig Stephen Lawson |
| Born | July 15, 1969 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instruments | Roland TR-808 |
| Years active | 1987–present |
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Craig Stephen Lawson (born July 15, 1969), known as KLC, is an American music producer, DJ, and drummer. He became famous as part of the production team called Beats by the Pound at No Limit Records. After leaving that label, he became a member of the group Medicine Men.
KLC's Early Life
KLC grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father played the saxophone, which inspired KLC to get into music too. Even before he joined the school band, KLC was known as the "Drum Major." He loved the steady rhythms of the marching band's snare drum. These sounds later influenced the hip-hop beats he created.
In high school, KLC enjoyed breakdancing. One of his friendly rivals was Michael "Mystikal Mike" Tyler. Mystikal later became a long-time music partner with KLC.
After high school, KLC and his friend Dartanian "MC Dart" Stovall started making music. They set up a small studio in KLC's basement. They used a Roland TR-808 drum machine to create their sounds. Both friends had full-time jobs, but they decided to quit and focus only on music. They used their last paychecks to finish their first music cassette. This is how they started their own record label, Parkway Pumpin' Records.
Parkway Pumpin' Records
At Parkway Pumpin' Records, artists did not sign long-term contracts. This meant that KLC and other musicians could also work with other record labels at the same time.
For example, in 1994, KLC played keyboards for a group called 39 Posse. He also produced a song for the rapper Sporty T. In 1995, another artist named Magnolia Slim (also known as Soulja Slim) recorded an album that KLC produced. Many artists, like Mystikal and Fiend, also recorded their first albums with other labels, even while working with KLC.
KLC's Music Achievements
KLC has worked on many studio recordings since 1988. He has contributed to almost 300 songs across more than 100 albums.
He has received many awards for his work. These include:
- Eighteen gold albums
- Twelve platinum albums
- Four double-platinum albums
- Two triple-platinum albums
- One quadruple-platinum album
He also has two gold singles, two platinum singles, and one double-platinum single. KLC has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. These nominations were for "Best Rap Album" for Word of Mouf by Ludacris and Tarantula by Mystikal. He has also won two BMI Awards for the hit song "Move ..." by Ludacris and the album Word of Mouf.
Images for kids
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KLC in 2023
