Lawrence Arnell Macmillan is an American rapper and producer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[2] He first collaborated with hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks on Violent by Design under the name Diamondback in 2000. In 2014, Arnell joined Army of the Pharaohs and appeared on their studio albums In Death Reborn and Heavy Lies the Crown.[3]
Lawrence Arnell | |
|---|---|
 Arnell (center) with Malik B. (left) and Vinnie Paz in 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lawrence Arnell Macmillan[1] |
| Also known as | Larry A Larry Legend L. Dorado Diamondback |
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, producer |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | Babygrande |
Biography
edit1995–2006: Early career
editArnell started off his career as an MC/singer/songwriter. At 19 years old, he caught the eye of Tommy Boy Records as a member of the hip-hop collective Deadly Snakes. With dates on the Lyricist Lounge Tour, placements on the soundtrack to Jet Li's Black Mask film (1996) and a co-sign from Prince Paul, the Snakes seemed to be on the right track. Soon after, however, the group disbanded, following the release from their deal with Tommy Boy. Arnell fell back and sharpened his skills as an MC as well as a vocalist and songwriter.[4]
In 2000, Arnell made a guest appearance on "Blood Reign" from Jedi Mind Tricks's Violent by Design under the name Diamondback.
In 2005, Arnell was featured on the track "Chicken Kitchen Chop-Chop Mix" by Nuthouse on their 12" vinyl Snap Your Neck 2 Dis.[5] This is considered to be his first breakthrough as an underground artist.
2007–2011: Breakthrough
editIn 2008, Arnell collaborated with King Syze on his second studio album The Labor Union. He was featured on the track "Creep Show".[6] Later that year, fellow rap duo OuterSpace announced they were to release their third studio album God's Fury. Arnell was featured on the track "Quick Draw" along with Doap Nixon.[7] In 2009, Jedi Mind Tricks frontman Vinnie Paz announced that he is working on his debut solo album Season of the Assassin, slated for a 2010 release. Arnell was featured on the track "Ain't Shit Changed".[8] In 2010, Arnell featured a single titled "Nothin' Less" and featured JuJu Mob member Reef the Lost Cauze. A music video was released on YouTube on May 25, 2010.[9] In 2011, Arnell was featured on Syze's third studio album Collective Bargaining on the track "Rap for Real".[10] Underground rap artist Tygastyle released his album Father of the Year which featured the track "Dangerous Living" by Arnell.[11] In 2012, Arnell provided vocals on the collaboration album by Pacewon and Mr. Green, The Only Number That Matters Is Won, on the track "Slow".[12] Another notable feature of Arnell was in 2012, on the single "Stay True" by rapper Awar. The song was later included on the album Things of That Nature / Nature of The Beast.[13]
2013–2014: Other features and Army of the Pharaohs
editRapper Vinnie Paz released his second EP on October 29, 2013, titled Carry on Tradition.[14] Arnell was featured on the songs "The Devils Ransom" along with Jarren Benton, and on "In the Middle of Nowhere".[15] On November 30, 2013, Paz revealed that two new Army of the Pharaohs albums would be released in 2014. The first album, In Death Reborn, was announced for a release on April 22, 2014, followed by Heavy Lies the Crown in November.[16] Arnell was announced to be featured on the album alongside new Army of the Pharaohs members Blacastan of the Demigodz and Houston-based rapper Zilla.[3] Arnell was also featured on King Syze's fourth studio album Union Terminology on the songs "Union Goons" and "Business Agents", alongside Planetary.[17]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- 2014: The Monster and Mr. Arnell – with Zilla
Deadly Snakes
edit- 1999: Wild West / Culebras de Muerte
Army of the Pharaohs
edit- 2014: In Death Reborn
- 2014: Heavy Lies the Crown
References
edit- ^ "BACK UP AGAIN". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ "Music – Music News, New Songs, Videos, Music Shows and Playlists from MTV". www.mtv.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 1996. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ^ a b "Army Of The Pharaohs - In Death Reborn to be released April, 2014 -". Hip Hop Site. 2011-12-25. Archived from the original on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
- ^ Last.fm Lawrence Arnell biography (Accessed: March, 2014)
- ^ "Nuthouse* - Snap Your Neck 2 Dis / Take It 2 Da Stage". Discogs. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ^ The Labour Union - King Syze (Accessed: March, 2014)
- ^ "Outerspace - God's Fury". Discogs. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ^ "Vinnie Paz - Season Of The Assassin". Discogs. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ^ OJizzle82 (25 May 2010). "Lawrence Arnell feat. Reef The Lost Cauze - Nothin' Less". Retrieved 12 February 2019 – via YouTube.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Collective Bargaining - King Syze (Feature from Lawrence Arnell) [Accessed: March, 2014)
- ^ "Tygastyle - Father Of The Year". Discogs. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ^ "Pacewon & Mr. Green (3) - The Only Number That Matters Is Won". Discogs. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ^ "Awar - Things Of That Nature / Nature Of The Beast". Discogs. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ^ "Carry on Tradition by Vinnie Paz". Retrieved 12 February 2019 – via itunes.apple.com.
- ^ Vinnie Paz (17 September 2013). "Vinnie Paz "God Bless"". Retrieved 12 February 2019 – via YouTube.
- ^ Apathy tweets: AOTP "In Death Reborn". April.
- ^ "King Syze". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 12 February 2019.