Interviews

Published on October 12th, 2020 | by MuzikScribe

Planet 12 LAW: “The Most Talented Kid In The Music Biz!”

Now let’s hop right into your latest single “She Can Get It,” featuring industry royalty; Jellybean Johnson, Tony M. and Monte Moir — Tell me about this particular track? How did it even come to fruition ?

It came about, first, based upon my 20 years of brotherhood and friendship with my Minneapolis heroes / idols Jellybean Johnson and Monte Moir, as well as the rest of the members of The Time. Jellybean had already been working on his album when he asked me to contribute a song. I just so happened to have this song I intended for my double album that I’m working on, which was my personal homage to the influence of the Minneapolis sound and the architects who created it. But after hearing some of the songs Jellybean had done so far, which were more blues-based but heavy rock, I figured this song would be what Bean needed to keep the familiar fans in place, which is that Minneapolis Uptown Funk in which he is one of the creators because of his drum pocket. So I let him hear it and he flipped, which meant he wanted the song. So I told him, “Okay, but under one condition: WE GOTTA GET MONTE TO LAY SOME OF HIS CLASSIC KEYS, AND TONY M., FROM NEW POWER GENERATION, WHO IS ONE OF MY RHYME IDOLS AND I ALWAYS WANTED TO RAP ALONGSIDE HIM!” The rest is history, and it’s becoming a classic record.

Of course “She Can Get It” comes courtesy of your forthcoming EP — What all specific details; i.e. title, favorite tracks, producer credits, cameo appearances, etcetera., can you reveal and / or divulge about upcoming premiere set at this particular point in time?

Well actually, “She Can Get It” will be appearing on Jellybean’s upcoming album Get Experienced, in which there are some pretty damn great amazing guests on there as well. As far as my own EP’s coming out in October and November, it’s (a) long awaited attack for my fans who have been soooo patient with me.

You’re also well known for your work with both George Clinton and the late Amy Winehouse — How did both of these opportunities come about?

Both of these things came through word of mouth and great reputation, plus being persistent especially when it came to George Clinton…as I told my mother at 12 years old that I was gonna meet him, work with him and join the P-Funk camp. I got the gig with Amy based upon doing a corporate show with some of the members of the Dap-Kings, which was based on the recommendation of my homie, Al Street. They loved the way I sang and danced, and had even saw my clips performing with Parliament-Funkadelic…so when one of the background singers, Heshima, dropped out because in addition to being a mega dope incredible singer / dancer, he was also a soap opera star in London, they asked me to come in to sing alongside his brother, Zalon, to fill in…and the rest was Grammy, Oscar Awards winning history that fans are still talking about today.

Share with me some of your fondest / most memorable experiences / stories / anecdotes in collaborating with these two musical giants?

WOWWWWWWWWW! So many to choose from. With George, some of the best memories are on stage with him where I start singing the more obscure Parliament-Funkadelic stuff and he begins smiling and then remembering the words, and the 8 hour convo we had about music and P-Funk history when I worked with him in the studio while living with him in Florida.

With Amy, the easy, best memories is her flipping over my demo, which her boyfriend Blake let her hear, in which she made sure that I became her opening act in NYC while still being her background singer…and the deep intense music convos we had. That woman truly knew her music. I put her to the test, and she passed.

Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music – When did you first become interest? And, how did it all begin for you?

It all started with my famous musical family on both sides: The Taylors and The Worrells. From my legendary grandfather, Sam “Bluzman” Taylor, to my mother, Sandra Taylor…my family was basically my Juilliard for music, which resulted in multi-genres getting played in the house, besides our Gospel, Blues and R&B. So I was already in, and it wasn’t forced. By the time I turned 7, I was already performing with my family.

Now you’re a native of where? So growing up there, who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

BROOKLYN! The Crown Heights section on Saint Marks Ave. via Albany Projects. Without question, too many influences to name but the bulk of what makes up the total sums of who I am are these guys: Prince, Stevie Wonder, New Edition, Jimi Hendrix, Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, The Jacksons / Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Van Halen, KISS, Metallica, Tony Toni Tone, James Brown, Sly & The Family Stone, Motown and Stax artists. And, of course, all the Brooklyn Funk bands who I grew up under; like B.T. Express, Crown Heights Affair, Brass Construction, Unlimited Touch and Skyy.

That being said, how would you describe the style of music that you create and perform?

It’s called the Planet 12 sound. It’s a combination of all my top favorite styles that I’m known for, which is Funk-Rock, R&B / Soul and real Hip-Hop, but my musical diversity allows me to go in Blues, Jazz, Pop, Gospel, Country and EDM. It’s whatever the state of mind I’m in at that time musically. It’s allowed me to create a lane that no one else has, where the audience is a mix from 18 (to) 55, because they all come for different reasons.

Where’s does your moniker originally derive from?

Well the L*A*W part is broken into 3 types of my personality:

L*A*W [Lyrical Assault Weapon] – The Hip-Hop Side Of Me.

L*A*W [Loving All Women] – The R&B Smooth Side Of Me.

L*A*W – It’s the first 3 letters of my real name, which is Lawrence.

“The Most Talented Kid In The Music Biz” was created by my DJ, as we came up with the idea of creating a moniker in the tradition of James Brown and Little Richard who had these titles that spoke what they were about. In my case, though I’m a grown man, the stage and studio is my playground so I truly become the biggest kid in the room. *Laughs*

Switching gears here, how has not only the industry itself, but even more-so you as an individual, either changed and / or evolved since your whole inception into music?

The industry hasn’t really changed in some areas. Sometimes the game never changes, only the players do. Technology plays a huge part in the distribution of music, and it’s been that way for some time now. The bottom line is you have to keep up and remain knowledgeable if you wanna stay ahead of the game, and I always had balance. Never be too old school where you can’t get with the times, and never be so new school where you forget where you come from musically.

Longevity, what do you attribute yours to?

Staying true to myself and my vision, while always grinding…and NEVER compromising who I am as an artist.

What do you want people to get from your music?

I want people to know it’s okay to love more than 2 or 3 styles of music. I want people to know that it’s okay to be themselves. I want people to know that partying, having fun, making love and living life, still exists in songs and in real life if you allow happiness.

Is there a hidden meaning / message in any of your music?

Not really. I’m such a straight, no chaser guy in real life so that comes out in my music. Now because I love the mystique part of who I am, I will incorporate the manipulation of the English language sometimes just to make my fans guess some things, or to leave them curious while their mind is being blown.

As a songwriter, where do you actually draw inspiration from?

I’m a movie / pop culture buff, as well as a video game head, so inspirations come from those wild creative places, as well as some of my own experiences or other things I seen people personally experience. And women are DEFINITELY direct inspirations for many of my love songs or celebratory womanhood songs.

Please explain your overall creative process…

Because I’m a musician first, it always starts with a guitar or bass. My instruments are in every corner of my house, so when I’m bored or I get an itch i just pick up (and) start playing until something sounds real good. Then it all depends on the genre, too. For Hip-Hop, I stay in a rugged frame of mind and that’s what drum machines / samplers represent. Sometimes the songs write itself musically, and 99.5% of the time it always comes out the way I hear it in my head. Same even with lyrics. Sometimes I’ll have a title before I have (an) actual song. And because I’m a real singer, I already (have) all of my harmonies figured out

Do you have any other outside / additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from entertainment?

Not really. My life mostly revolves around every aspect of music, even with the books that I’m writing now as an author in which I will be discussing my life…but it will be how music changed it. And my Planet 12 Podcast on Instagram has been very successful because I get my real music industry friends on there, and we talk about their classic albums and what makes them an artist.

What has been your greatest career achievement(s), at least thus far anyway?

I would have to say it’s a tie between working (with) my idol and very good friend, Lionel Richie, and becoming the first Hip-Hop based artist to play the legendary Bitter End club in NYC, in which I opened the door for hybrid acts like myself to play there when it was primarily a Folk, Acoustic and just regular Rock and R&B bands’ playground in which many of my heroes; like Donny Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield, The Isley Brothers, have all played and recorded their live albums there. I brought all of that, plus Real Hip-Hop and street element. Shoutout To Pete Fogel for making that possible!

What’s an average day like for you?

Wake Up, Pray, Drink Water, Exercise, Eat, Then Studio, Dance / Singing & Instrument Rehearsal and Constantly Studying.

What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? Why?

The best part is I get to do what I love and get paid for it. I have no least favorite of anything that I was born to do.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Stay On Your Craft Daily, So You Can Stay Ready And, Most Importantly, LEARN THE BUSINESS, LEARN THE BUSINESS, LEARN THE BUSINESS! What good is being an artist if you don’t have some kind of ownership of your art?

And, lastly, what’s next for you, L*A*W?

My EP Mega Dope Maniac Comes Out On October 23rd…

My 2nd EP Humanity 101, which is going to be my more political / social album, Comes Out In November…

…and the long awaited double album Psychotic Chameleon, should be out next year in January. Plus, two mixtapes Red Catastrophe (Strictly Hip-Hop) and Purple Champagne (Strictly R&B)

Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention?

Nope…other than for the fans to keep up with us on my social media pages: Twitter and Instagram: @Planet12Law…as well as my YouTube and Facebook Pages: LawPlanet12.

Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?

SUPPORT OR SHUT UP! We don’t have to bring real music and artistry back. It’s right here thanks to the artists like myself (that) is doing it. WE JUST GOTTA SUPPORT IT!