La the Darkman explained

Lason Jackson (born July 23, 1979), better known as La the Darkman,^[1] is a Wu-Tang Clan affiliated rapper and MC.

Biography

Jackson was born in New York City, New York and grew up Crown Heights, Brooklyn with his brother William Jackson.^[2] 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 clothing store.^[3] Jackson later relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he worked with Aphilliates Music Group and Embassy Entertainment, later negotiating label deals with both companies.^[4] He also worked in a business capacity for DJ Drama, setting up booking arrangements and endorsement deals.^[3] Jackson also executive produced the album Gangsta Grillz vol.1 and vol.2 which both albums hit #2 and #4 on the Billboard charts.^[5]

Reception

The independently released Heist of the Century later peaked at 37 on Billboard's "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums" in May 1998.^[6]

Rapper/actor Drake mentioned Jackson during a MTV interview calling him one of the "Hottest MCs in the Game".^[7] Vibe praised Jackson's participation in the Uncontrolled Substance album, calling his overtures "seductive".^[8]

Discography

Albums

• Heist of the Century (1998)
• La Paraphernalia EP (2014)
• La Familia EP (2015)
• La Luminati EP (2016)
• Play by La Rules EP (2017)
• The Lavish vs The Savage EP (2017)

Appearances

• Soul Assassins I - DJ Muggs (1997)
• Uncontrolled Substance - Inspectah Deck (1999)
• Beneath The Surface - GZA (1999)
• (1999)
• Bi-Polar - Vanilla Ice (2001)
• The Greatest Story Never Told - Shyheim (2004)
• N☆☆☆a Please - Ol Dirty Bastard (2004)
• - Method Man (2006)
• Gangsta Grillz Vol. 1 & 2 (Albums) - DJ Drama (2007) & (2009)
• Absolute Greatness LP & Never A Dull Moment LP - Willie the Kid

Mixtapes

• Return of the Darkman (with J-Love) (2006)
• Dead Presidents (with Willie the Kid) (2006)
• The Notorious LAD (with DJ Drama) (2008)
• Living Notoriously (with DJ Drama) (2009)
• Return of the Darkman, Part 2 (with J-Love) (2010)
• Embassy Invasion (with DJ Green Lantern) (2011))
• Living Notoriously Part 2 (as "L.A.D. a.k.a. La...") (2011)
• "Midwest Kush: Pyrex Edition" L.A.D (2011)
• "Midwest Kush: Pyrex Edition pt.2" (2012)
• "Diary of a Playboy" (2012)
• "Diary of a Playboy 2" (2013)
• "Paid in Full" (2014)
• "Paid in Full 2" (2016)
• "Paid in Full 3" (2018)
• "Wu La Familia" (with DoloMite) (2020)

Singles

• I Want It All (1999)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Wu-Tang Clan’s Nearly-Mythical “Once Upon A Time In Shaolin” Album Saga Continues. February 26, 2024. XXL. October 23, 2024.
2. Web site: Langhorne. Cyrus. DJ DRAMA & LA THE DARKMAN FEUD REVEALED, "THAT'S WHAT THE DRUGS & GOING BROKE WILL DO TO SOME PEOPLE". SOHH. November 13, 2012. http://web.archive.org/web/20130609051451/http://www.sohh.com/2011/02/dj_drama_la_the_darkman_feud_revealed_th.html. June 9, 2013.
3. Web site: From Wu-Tang To “Heist Of The Century” Reissue: LA The Darkman Is Back With A Vengeance. February 25, 2024. AllHipHop. October 23, 2024.
4. Web site: La The Darkman: Next Movement. December 19, 2007. XXL. October 23, 2024.
5. Web site: La The Darkman Returns With A SRC/Universal Deal. HipHopDX. 13 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120913063117/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.6551/title.la-the-darkman-returns-with-a-src-universal-deal. 13 September 2012. dead.
6. Web site: [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=la the darkman|chart=all}} Heist of the Century]. Billboard. 13 November 2012.
7. Web site: Drake Picks La The Darkman And Willie The Kid For 'Hottest MCs'. MTV. 13 November 2012.
8. Book: Review: Uncontrolled Substance. Vibe. 13 November 2012. August 1999.