Born in Trinidad and raised in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn, NY, Labba's mother immigrated from the Caribbean isle in 1978. Growing up he "did everything wrong like every other dude" he says. By 1991, his friend introduced him to Mark Pitts, who in turn became Labba's first true teacher.
"Mark educated me on the business, how to make a record, what not to do," says the oversized MC. "I came into hip-hop real lucky."
His luck wouldn't stop there. The following year he moved to L.A. to link up with his friend Homicide, who was down with N.W.A. founding member Eazy-E. Yet after years of making demos with Homicide and finally meeting with E, he was still unsigned. In 1997, Matt Fingaz, who owned a small vinyl company, called Labba urging him to return to New York. Fingaz, now an in-demand producer manager, said he had a young aspiring producer willing to make beats for Labba.
"Me and Just Blaze did a record and it came out cool. Just was on the B-Side and Da Beatminerz were on the A-Side," says Labba. "Just did 'Invasion America.' It was very wack because I wasnt what I am today. I put out a vinyl and people started playing my records."
Off the strength of his vinyl, he started making the rounds in NY's underground circuit. By 2000, little by little industry bigwigs started taking notice. The first was famed Source editor Riggs Morales. The journalist advised Labba to continue to make records like his forceful "Big Brooklyn." He recommended he hook up with Mike B, who at the time was helping DJ Whoo Kid put together 50 Cent's infamous mixtapes.
"I learned the difference between freestyle and making a record from 50," says Labba. "I also met Red Spyda - he birthed me. He gave me 100 beats to rhyme over."
Red's beats didn't immediately get Labba his long desired record deal but it did lay the foundation. From the 100 beats he made a 13-song demo; he begun hustling for good and started selling his CDs in his neighborhood. Becoming a local star would help Labba more than he could ever imagine.
"One day my homeboy, John, called and he said, 'I got some very important people you should meet,'" says Labba. "I met Jeff Dixon, VP of Disturbing Tha Peace and Kevin Liles. Kevin said, 'You sound like a hardcore Chubb Rock with a gun in your hand.' He said, 'You're on your way to greatness.'"
Still, no deal. DTP hierarchy connected Labba with other producers, DJ Nasty and Track Stars. Using their sonic backdrops Labba made more songs, which would solidify his buzz in the industry. The calls began. Cash Money was interested. DTP were helping. Busta Rhymes was eagerly after the hefty MC.
"Busta told me, 'You a West Indian American from Brooklyn. This is what I need in my crew,'" says Labba. "Then I got with Dave Lighty and he was really pushing Jive. I performed for the owner of Jive and the next day Busta called me and it was a wrap. That's pretty much how I officially got signed to Flipmode/Jive and Gangsta, which is my label."
With a label deal finally in his lap Labba is set to detail his life. The life of an immigrant who achieved the American dream. True West Indian American Gangsta Rap, as he calls it. On "God Don't Like Ugly," he explores his journey but also that of his mother. "Family Plan" details his mothers transition from Trinidad to America.
"I represent the have-nots, the immigrants. On my way to greatness if I be ridiculed or be rewarded so be it, just as long as I get out of the ghetto."
While waiting for his official debut, Labba is hard at work at whatever the Dungeon Dragon throws his way. He's presently hitting the streets with his mixtape appearance on The Countdown to The Big Bang and his own joints, The Point of No Return I and II.
"From Busta and Jay-Z I learned that you need to have a 'I Love My Chick' and 'Big Pimpin,' says Labba in a lackadaisical manner. From 50 I got perseverance and LL has just meant so much to me. I feel like I went to Hip-Hop 101, 102, and 103.
Ladies and gentlemen please rise for your valedictorian of Hip-Hop University, LABBA.
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