Configa

Dr. Andrew Laidlaw, better known by his stage name Configa, is a UK-based hip-hop producer, record executive, recording artist and academic. Laidlaw has been an influential member of the underground hip-hop scene for more than two decades, producing works for established underground MCs alongside such luminaries as Chuck D, Kurtis Blow, Sadat X, Craig G, Rah Digga, Chino XL, Wordsworth, Nine, El Da Sensei and Prince Po. Configa is the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Configaration Records.

Early life

Andrew "Configa" Laidlaw hails from the Tyneside area of North East England, UK. He is of Scottish descent. Configa's love of hip-hop began at an early age, starting with his discovery of American hip-hop collective Native Tongues.

Career

Rapping & Production

As a young teenager, Configa originally set his sights on radio and began hosting his own Hip-Hop Show on a local, unlicensed radio station. He began writing lyrics at the age of 16. After local success as a battle-oriented MC, and self-releasing his debut album 'Baptizm of Fire' in 2000, Configa was discovered and signed by Los Angeles-based independent label Rap Junkie Records in 2001. While signed to Rap Junkie, Configa released the well-received studio album 'The King of Linguistics' in 2002, receiving press on MTV.com, as well as featuring on two mixtapes showcasing fellow label-mates (Independent Game Vol. 1 and 2).

In 2004, Configa formed the hip-hop crew Slept On Fam (along with Wargasms, Arsenal and C-Gully). Their album 'Audio Crack' was released in late 2006 to critical acclaim. In 2007, Slept On Fam went on to earn 'Group of The Year' at the second annual 'Get 'Em Magazine' music awards in Florida (hosted by boxer Roy Jones Jr.), beating such notable acts as Three 6 Mafia.

Following the success of Slept on Fam, Configa took a hiatus from making music and returned to radio, hosting a popular, weekly show online. During this time, he also studied for and obtained his Doctorate in Sociology and Cultural Studies with a thesis on hip-hop and ethnicity titled 'Blackness in the Absence of Blackness: White Appropriations of Rap Music and Hip-Hop Culture in Newcastle upon Tyne'.

Configa made his return to the music scene in 2010 with the 2Pac remix album 'Configa Presents: Pac To The Essence, Vol. 1', marking the 14th year of 2Pac's passing. The album was widely praised by critics and remains an outstanding tribute to the life and music of Tupac Shakur. Also in 2010, Configa released the single '15 Minutes', featuring UK hip-hop legend Scorzayzee, under Configa's record label, Configaration Records, which was playlisted by BBC 1Xtra.

In 2011, Configa released 'Configa Presents: Calm Before the Storm' featuring an array of talented underground MCs rapping on his production. In the same year, Configa was featured on DJ Green Lantern's (Eminem's former DJ) mixtape 'Overtime Grind'.

Configa's music has been featured in documentaries as well as motion picture soundtracks, including 2013's 'The Liability' (starring and executive produced by Tim Roth), and the 2014 comedy film, 'The Stagg Do'. Throughout 2015 and 2016, Configa produced and released two EPs and an album with US underground rapper HaStyle - 'The Calm Before Hastility', 'A Good Combination' and 'Hastility (H1)'.

In 2017, Configa was signed to Chuck D's record label, SLAMjamz Records (also home to the legendary Public Enemy). He has a forthcoming album under SLAMjamz Records and continues to run Configaration Records with an ear to the ground for hidden talent from all over the world. Configa carries the distinction of having been rated #1 in the entire United Kingdom for hip-hop on the ReverbNation chart.

Configaration Records

Alongside the release of '15 Minutes' in 2010, Configa also founded his own independent record label, Configaration Records. Its focus is on showcasing the wealth of talent in underground hip-hop and the wider independent music scene.

Style

Configa's style is often described as a modern nod to the classic, booming, intricately sampled music of the 1990s American hip-hop scene. His “beats that bang” boom bap style of production is reminiscent of the East Coast style made popular in the Golden Era of hip-hop and stands in marked contrast to the 'trap' style of the popular scene in the modern south.

Discography

• Baptizm of Fire (2000) LP
• Independent Game Vol. 1 (2001) Mixtape
• Independent Game Vol. 2 (2002) Mixtape
• King of Linguistics (2002) LP
• Slept on Fam - Audio Crack (2006) LP
• 15 Minutes feat. Scorzayzee and Atlanta Smith (2010) Single
• Hot Off Da Press feat. FDot1 (2010) Single
• Configa Presents: Pac to the Essence, Vol. 1 (2010) LP
• Configa Presents: Calm Before the Storm (2011) LP
• Configa Presents: Pac to the Essence, Vol. 1 (Remastered) (2014) LP
• Configa & HaStyle Present: The Calm Before Hastility EP (2015) EP
• Configa & HaStyle Present: A Good Combination EP (2015) EP
• Configa & HaStyle - Your Religion (2016) Single
• Configa & HaStyle - Hastility (H1) (2016) LP

Appears On:

• MC Beads - The Broken Boy LP (2005) LP
• Scorzayzee - Raging Bull (2010) Mixtape
• DJ Green Lantern - Overtime Grind (2011) Mixtape
• The Liability OST (2013)
• The Stagg Do OST (2014)

References

Official Site: configa.com

Configaration Records: configaration.com

Twitter: @Configa, @Configaration Records

Facebook: facebook.com/Configa/

YouTube: youtube.com/user/Configa

Instagram: instagram.com/Configa/

Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/Configa

ReverbNation: ReverbNation.com/Configa

SLAMjamz Records: SLAMjamz.com/artists/configa

IMDB: imdb.com/name/nm7559628/

Documentary: Hip Hop is Dead