Laza Morgan (born Otiyah Morgan in Springfield, Massachusetts) is an American urban singer signed to Atlantic Records’ Elektra label. His debut single “This Girl” is featured on the soundtrack of 2010 Disney film Step Up 3D. Laza is the son of reggae legend Denroy Morgan, whose multi-platinum song “I’ll Do Anything for You” became popular on urban stations. Laza has said “From the beginning, music was everywhere, all the time,” while growing up in Brooklyn, New York. His father, brothers, and sisters were always rehearsing, recording, and performing; their homes were always filled with music and musicians: Peter Tosh and Rakim; KRS One and Buju Banton; Run-DMC and Thelonius Monk, Jr.; The Fat Boys, The Wailers, Mtume, and many more. Denroy’s hit resulted from an early genre-bending experiment: it was produced and recorded in collaboration with Bert Reid of the soul/funk band, Crown Heights Affairs. “Sing-J” is Laza’s term for what he calls a mix of raw hip-hop beats, dancehall grooves, reggae rhythms, and urban/pop sensibilities, and story-telling from a fresh, emotive four-octave tenor. As early as age 7, Laza became interested in writing music and performing. At 13 he started a group with his brother; they performed at Jamaica’s famed Reggae Sunsplash. MCA Records heard them and signed them. The group toured the world with other Morgan progeny, Morgan Heritage. “Our father kept us focused; focused on our music,” Laza says. After a journey across stages, continents, and labels; after hundreds of songs, and months of working with a variety of producers, Laza had experience, passion, maturity, and his own solo style. He was hoping to find his big break — more accurately, looking for where he could create it. Producer Julian Bunetta and Family Affairs Productions brought him to the attention of hit-maker Mike Camen, Elektra’s new president. Laza can be noted for the pleasantness of his voice, his ability to bend notes and keys effortlessly, and his sensitivities that bring new interpretations and breadth to matters that concern us most – love and romance; children and parenthood; hope and the future. “I sing a lot about love,” he says, “because that’s what’s going on in my life. So I write and perform them convincingly and with genuine emotions. But it’s not just romantic love and sex that I’m interested in. I care for the little ones; I care for those who have no one who cares; those in prison, or sick, or without hope.” “This Girl” features music and lyrics from producers and songwriters Julian Bunetta and S. ‘Pages’ Mehner, working with Laza. The soloist says “It’s a celebration of loving relationships. A breath of fresh air! A feel-good love song, perfect for all seasons, and a song anyone can sing.” Laza’s yet-untitled début CD for the label is scheduled for release in 2011.
