Music Features
Rapper Laz D inspires at New York Film Festival
By April MacIntyre
Apr 22, 2008, 19:35 GMT

Rapper Laz D, aka Cameron Lasley, made an impression at the New York Film Festival recently.

What was newsworthy and notable is Laz himself.  He's a legitimate rapper with a record deal, and he also has Down syndrome.  But that's neither here nor there for the driven kid from Northern California who has devoted his post-high school life to fulfilling, and realizing his dreams.

Laz D made history after the release of his first  CD, “The Man Himself,“ touring and performing at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom in Portland.

His subsequent press tour took him all over the country, and had the boy with the gift of wordsmithing cracking up comedian and San Diego Jack FM morning star, Monique Marvez of the hit show, "Monique and the Man."

Laz D and his producer Jack Gibson delivered their message to listeners:   ‘We’ve got to end violence in the streets.   It’s time to “clean up the game.”
(LINK) 
 
If you looked at Laz's life story on paper, the odds don't seem to stack up in favor for the young man who knows people's initial reaction is disbelief and sometimes flat-out mockery. 

The kid has thick skin.

Now, less than 2 years later, Laz D has bragging rights to a steady audience and has caught the attention of filmmakers like Gus Van Sant.

Unconventional as he is for the genre, born with Down syndrome, being white, Laz bucks the conventional themes of rap and does it clean. No profanities, his music beats to messages of hope and acceptance for everyone. 

His desire echoes Russell Simmons' plea to all rappers:  "Lets respect people regardless of their race, sex, ethnicity," to which Laz D adds, disability.  

“I just want people to have a good time and go for their dream," Laz says.  
 
On May 9-11, “Street Anthem”, a DVD based on one of the tracks from “The Man Himself” will be featured at The Sprout Film Festival at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

In its sixth year, the festival showcases Academy Award nominated works by, for and about people with developmental disabilities.   

This year, the festival will include The HBO feature length documentary, “Autism The Musical”, a short film about  Judith Scott, a painter with multiple disabilities who has exhibited in New York galleries,  and “Street Anthem” by  Laz D.  

Of the 30 films invited to the Sprout Festival, Laz D’s film is the only one that is written by, stars and is co-produced by an artist with a disability. 

“We believe Laz D’s “Street Anthem” will become a cult classic”, said Sezin Cavolu, publicist for the The Sprout Film Festival. After its opening in Manhattan, the Sprout Festival then travels to several other states around the country.   (LINK)
 
Since last year, The Big Apple has become a familiar stop for Laz D. 

Last October, he performed for an audience of 3,000 at a fundraiser in Central Park as well as at the renowned club, “The Knitting Factory.” 

He was interviewed on WOR’s nationally syndicated “Joey Reynolds Show” and on Satellite Radio in New York before attending a private recording session with one of Laz D’s rap heroes, Fifty Cent. 

He has rapped at a school for the "most severely damaged boys" in the State of Oregon and at a retirement hotel where Laz D worked by day while recording his first CD. 

Laz's second CD will be released late this summer.   The 14 track “Man Himself” is available  at www.laz-d.com.