"Everything is a song." This is the daily mantra that fuels the dynamic and versatile songwriter Lawrence August. "Life will write you a song, even an album a day, if you pay attention and take notes," he explains.
Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, August was raised in a nurturing musical environment. His father, a gifted singer/pianist, exposed Lawrence at a young age to the likes of The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Sinatra, etc., while his mother, a talented poet, would encourage his love for reading and short story writing.
It was during high school that August found a deep love for rap music and his calling as a lyricist. At age 16, he began emceeing with friends in a hip hop group. Quickly gaining a reputation as a clever MC and a commanding performer, he would often have crowds gathered around the lunch table, hanging on his freestyles and witty punchlines.
In 2000, August headed west to Los Angeles, as a member of the underground hip hop act, Ice Machine.
Although still collaborating with Ice Machine, August began working on solo material, as well as contributing writing and vocals to other projects, even penning lyrics for various indie and alternative rock groups.
It was a chance meeting with Pharrell Williams that inspired August to push his talents to the limit. "Meeting Pharrell was life changing, " he says, "I knew from that day on what I needed to do."
What he "needed to do" was develop his craft as a songwriter. The method? Write a song a day.
"Even if they weren't always great, I knew it would push me creatively," August explains.
It was this work ethic that got the attention of Vie Le, singer/songwriter and close friend of August.
Le and August began a writing partnership after she realized his contributions lyrically could be a valuable asset to her own musical aspirations.
October 2006, lightning struck, as the pair were called in to work with Beat Royalty, the up-and-coming hit-making production duo from Europe. The synergy of the foursome was instantaneous, and a writing team was formed.
Beat Royalty's stellar production, Le's stand-out vocals and infectious melodies, along with August's prolific lyrical genius have resulted in THE songwriting team to be reckoned with in 2008.
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