Physician Dr. Kamran Rashid Khan is also a Rap Phenom known as Lazarus. This super talented lyricist caught the eye of Rap Pioneer Russell Simmons who signed Lazarus to his All Def Digital imprint in 2013. The Detroit native has appeared on Sway In The Morning on Shade 45, the Discovery Channel, Fox Sports and more. Moreover, Hip Hop legend Chuck D is his personal mentor. Lazarus is impacting the current musical landscape with his latest single called “Open Heart Surgery” featuring Bizarre from D12.
What is the significance of your name?
Lazarus is a biblical character that resurrected from the dead. When 9/11 occurred, everyone around me told my rap career was dead. At one point, I felt it was dead. But my passion brought it back to life. I also want to resurrect Hip Hop to a time when message and substance in the music was key.
Who is your target market?
My target market is your everyday Hip Hop head. First and foremost, I’m a lyricist. I’m a student of the legends that came before me. I also represent the college kids because I’m a physician. I’ve been through a certain journey that isn’t talked about much in Hip Hop yet related to by millions of people going to school around the world.
What is your USP? (Unique Selling Proposition) and what sets you apart from other artists?
What sets me apart is that my life is a living breathing comic book story. The life I live transforming from Dr. Khan to Lazarus is as interesting and unbelievable to the people around me as Spider-man coming out of Peter Parker, or Batman from Bruce Wayne. I literally have an alter-ego. I also believe I am the person of my ethnicity and background to have accomplished what I have thus far in Hip Hop.
What single or project are you currently pushing?
Right now, I’m pushing “Open Heart Surgery” featuring Bizarre on Russell Simmons’ label All Def Digital. The song was really fun to make because it was me role playing as the surgeon who has to operate on Bizarre after he has a heart attack. I definitely love to push the boundaries that are placed on Hip Hop and I feel we did just that on this record.
What is the philosophy by which you live by?
My philosophy is to live out your dream at all costs. Don’t let anybody tell you can’t be who you know who you can be. Once you can visualize yourself being the person you want to be, you focus on that and detract all negativity. Only YOU know who you can be. No one can speak on your passion and belief.
Which artists have inspired you?
In hip hop, I’m inspired by NaS, Wu-Tang, Em, Big Pun, Big L, Chuck D, Rakim. The list goes on. I love emcees that are very vocal and passionate in their delivery and what they’re saying to you. It’s allowed me to channel my story into the medium of a lyrical emcee.
Lazarus ft. Bizarre (D12) “Open Heart Surgery”
Who does your production?
I have producers from Detroit who have stuck with me for yours, IV Duncan, Alpha-Bet, my producer from California DJ Mast. I’m always looking for new producers to work with though. If you make quality beats, you can easily become my friend.
What is your opinion of the current state of the music industry?
I think it’s watered down for the most part. Everybody is trying to make their music sound like what’s “hot.” Not too many people are bold and balsy enough to do their own thing because it “won’t sell.” I’m not concerned about what the corporate world has to say about me. I’m going to represent me and that’s that. Feel me or not, at least I know my music represents me.
What are some major misconceptions that you think people have of you?
People are quickest to label me something I’m not. That’s kind of how my career started, to go against the stereotypes. Terrorist. Towel head. Taxi driver. Gas station clerk. Nerd. People throw all these terms out there and then I just get on the mic and rip them up to shreds.
What is your album going to be like?
My album “Music Is My Medicine” is going to feature an array of different kind of songs. I don’t want any one song to sound like the other. I want to show my versatility as an artist and as an emcee. You will hear storytelling. You will hear lyricism. You will hear song writing. I treat my music like art. And I’m a perfectionist with my craft.
What is your website?
My official website is www.lazarus-world.com. Facebook: facebook.com/LAZRecords Twitter & Instagram @LazDetroit
