The History Behind A Don
The South Bronx is known as the birthplace and spawning ground for many of Hip Hop's artistic pioneers, innovators and trend setters, which is an artistic tradition that continues to this day. One could argue that such artistry is considered "Royalty" amongst peers, audiences and consumers alike, garnering a respect that would usually be reserved for a type of person that would be categorized as... a "Don”.
But there is another chapter to the overall story of the South Bronx that also has its Royal and "Don-Like" lineage. The South Bronx influenced the musical landscape with artists such as Afrika Bambataa, Grandmaster Caz of the Cold Crush Brothers, KRS-ONE, and BIG PUN just to name a few. With the Afro-Cuban dance evolution of the 20th Century, artists such as Eddie Palmieri, Johnny Pacheco, Willie Colon and ARSENIO RODRIGUEZ, are the legends and musical "Dons" who created and innovated their musical traditions to a higher levels. These figures make up a part of the South Bronx tale that has no ending and, as time goes by, continues to have new pages being written.
The Birth of a New Don: Lazaris The Top Don
It is from both of these legacies and musical traditions, the culture of "Hip Hop" and what is identified as "Salsa", that a new chapter is being added to the story of the South Bronx. Born Lazaro Rafael Martinez, aka "Lazaris The Top Don", the family history of this half Cuban/half Boricuan artist is legendary and one that is considered a musical dynasty. His grandfather was a highly respected Afro-Cuban percussionist affectionately known as "Kiki" who recorded and performed for many years. His uncles were Raul (another percussionist) and Arsenio Rodriguez (who played both percussion and a 6 stringed guitar) known as the Tres. His uncle Arsenio, an internationally famous bandleader who was blind, is regarded as the "Godfather of Salsa" due to his many musical innovations and prolific compositions that have been re-interpreted and re-recorded. Lazaris recently had the privilege of representing the family during a historic street re-naming dedication where the street between Dawson and Intervale were honored in the area of the South Bronx. Lazaris, named after his Uncle, is proud to represent the South Bronx. Another family member, a cousin, who goes by the stage name of "Triple Seis," is a rapper and a one time member of Big Pun's Full A Clips Crew & Fat Joe's "Terror Squad".
Lazaris’ story began when his mother used to play the music of his uncle Arsenio all throughout his childhood and young teenage years. He was also personally being exposed to local Hip Hop pioneers such as DJ Kool Herc and Kurtis Blow. It was the "beats" provided by these men that helped develop a desire for a creative musical expression within Lazaris that eventually manifested itself his own freestyle capabilities. At the tender age of 9, Lazaro began to make his way around the local "battling" circuit- This is the ultimate litmus test for any bonafide serious "rapper", as it is a no-holds barred musical duel of lyrical improvisation where after the dust settles, only one person is usually left standing, a scenario Lazaris usually found himself in with much success.
Lazaris' Style:
Lazaris can rhyme with The Elite of the Elite and is always up for an MC battle. He is super lyrically diverse & very versatile with infusing English and Spanish flows. Not only is Lazaris a talented artist, he writes his own songs and ghost writes for many individuals in the music industry. He has a rapid-fire freestyle that sounds like he wrote everything but it comes straight from his soul. From punchlines to witty styles, his smooth delivery with hard core bars & voice will remind you of Big Pun & Jadakiss fused into one.
After several years of perfecting his craft, Lazaris’ very first endorsement by one of Hip Hop's rising stars came at the age of 16. A mutual acquaintance named Capone Douglas whose known as "Al Capone" invited him to a BBQ/Release Party that was located between Longwood and Beck Street. It was there that Capone introduced Lazaris to the artist known as "Cuban Link”, a founding member of the “Terror Squad”. Lazaris took the opportunity to freestyle at the BBQ and "Cuban Link" loved what he heard, so much so, that he responded by stating that Lazaris "...was a breath of fresh air in South Bronx Hip Hop".
Lazaris The Top Don Has Risen
With a new found boost of confidence and a desire to impact the scene, Lazaris adopted the name he continues to use to this day. "Lazaris The Top Don". This alias was inspired by both the legacy of his uncle Arsenio and other figures, that were considered "Dons" of their time. This particular aspect of regarding himself as “The Top Don” stems from a unique desire to unify everyone in the Hip Hop community, something that many who are in the “game” are unwilling or incapable of doing.
His talent and ambition would lead him to his first professional performance at the Rhumbas Nightclub, owned by party promoter and music impresario John "Gungie" Rivera, where Lazaris successfully "debuted" his skills and was embraced by the audience at hand. This experience would then lead Lazaris to further his artistic inclinations and organize himself properly. He began to ghostwrite for and collaborate with many other independent artists and established his name under the auspices of BMI to protect and document his work.
Lazaris later united with Angel Nieves AKA DJ Executioner, the former DJ for bachata greats Aventura. DJ Executioner and Lazaris had a bond as both mentor and friends. DJ Executioner was an even greater influence to a young Lazaris by keeping him off of the streets and having him focus on his talent and music. Their love and passion for music lead to an even tighter bond that still carries over to this day.
In 2008, BOOST MOBILE, a giant in the field of communications technology, sponsored a "rap" competition which Lazaris entered and won. He was awarded 2 tickets to that years’ Summer Jam held in the Bronx. As a result of this, he managed to perform at that particular Summer Jam making even more people aware of his musical prowess.
The following year, Lazaris would return to an arena he was most successful and familiar with battling other MC's. "The Fight Club" is an underground scene only a select hardcore few are even aware of. Taking place inside of a building in mid-town Manhattan, MCs from all over would congregate and face off with one another for bragging rights. During Lazaris’ lyrical 'bout' with another rapper, judges DJ Big Mike Shells and the now legendary rap artist who originally hailed from Detroit, Michigan whose real name was Marshall Mathers, but whom the world knows as "Eminem", were all in attendance to witness Lazaris’ craft.
Lazaris The Top Don as an Entrepreneur
Lazaris Owns His Own Label: Top Don Empire & is mentored & sponsored By Da Inphamaus Amadeus from Shade 45 & IGetatems. To date, he is a “jack of all trades’’ as a writer/composer, performer, entrepreneur, clothing designer and club promoter. He is also branching out into other areas of media such as artist development, fashion, model management, and developing his overall brand. Two years worth of collaborations and features with other artists and their projects to bolster his brand and create that 'buzz on the street' has been the strategy he's adhered to. One of his productions is called "Street Famous," which was inspired by his uncle Arsenio who fell in this category and touches on that very strategy. The logic being you can't be 'famous' in the mainstream consciousness unless you're 'street famous' first.
The nature of Lazaris The Top Don isn't just to climb the ladder of success until reaching the top. His inclination is to "uplift" others, as he climbs himself. In other words, putting others 'on' who are as hungry and as ambitious to rise in their artistic professions and help guide them. Also, to blaze a trail for them to follow, as many of Lazaris mentors and influences had done for him.
Lazaris still seeks recognition with more break through hits and aims to prove Hip Hop isn’t dead by bringing it back to its original birth place, The Bronx. As the "Top Don of The Bronx" and a "Legend" in New York, he’s coming for the crown. Lazaris is also currently being spun overseas by Dj Tekwun on the Boom Bap 2020 Tour. He is currently signed to IGetatem Records & owns his own label - Top Don Empire: Label and Publishing Company.
Discography
2018
Swerve (Single)
Crossfire (Single)
2019
Cash Out (Single)
2020
Sure Shot (Single)
No Blasphemy (Single)
Lights Out (Single)
Svccess In My Path (Album)
2021
I'm Coming (Single)