| La the Darkman | |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Birth Name: | Lason Jackson |
| Alias: | L.A.D |
| Birth Date: | July 23, 1979 |
| Birth Place: | New York City, New York |
| Origin: | Brooklyn, New York |
| Occupation: | Rapper |
| Years Active: | 1995–present |
| Associated Acts: | Wu-Tang Clan, DJ Drama, Willie the Kid, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, DJ Muggs, GZA, RZA, Bronze Nazareth, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, J-Love |
Lason Jackson (born July 23, 1979), better known as La the Darkman, is a Wu-Tang Clan affiliated rapper and MC.
Jackson was born in New York City, New York and grew up Crown Heights, Brooklyn with his brother William Jackson.[1] He negotiated his first deal while finishing high school and was a protégé of the Wu-Tang Clan having grown particularly close with various members. Jackson later secured a distribution deal through Navarre Distribution, with whom he released his debut album Heist of the Century in 1998. He later toured with several singers and groups such as 50 Cent and the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as launching his own management company and children's clothing store. Jackson later relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he worked with Aphilliates Music Group and Embassy Entertainment, later negotiating a joint-venture deal with both companies for Universal Records. He also worked in a business capacity for DJ Drama, setting up booking arrangements and endorsement deals. Jackson also executive produced the album Gangsta Grillz vol.1 and vol.2 which both albums hit #2 and #4 on the Billboard charts.[2]
He is the older brother of rapper Willie the Kid.
Though Lason Jackson's Heist of the Century album was largely panned by WARR.org, it wrote, “there is a lot of the unique energy that characterizes most Wu-Tang releases,” and “they make a strong argument for picking this up especially if you’re a Wu completist". The independently released Heist of the Century later peaked at 37 on Billboard's "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums" in May 1998.[3]
Rapper/actor Drake mentioned Jackson during a MTV interview calling him one of the "Hottest MCs in the Game".[4] Vibe praised Jackson's participation in the Uncontrolled Substance album, calling his overtures "seductive".[5]