Daniel Laurent

DL has set records while making classic ones. He has single-handedly dominated (respectfully) major and college radio throughout New England! Also becoming the first artist to have the most requests and longest rotation span in WERS history isn't shabby either!

For the last year, DL has preceded over the Boston rap scene with his hit single “MASSterpiece (The Anthem)” also called “The Cheers Song.” DL travels the streets of Boston metaphorically in the song, an ultimate tribute to his hometown. He has already made his mark early on. “MASSterpiece (The Anthem)” was the lead single on J. Saki’s “Best of the Bean Vol. 2” and gained a massive response during Wildboy’s “Best of the Bean” Show on Hot 97. In an unprecedented feat for an unsigned artist, it has consistently been playing on major, college and satellite radio stations, including, JAM’N 94.5, HOT 97.7, WERS 88.9 and as far as WSBF 88.1 in South Carolina, WNYU in New York, and WRFG 89.3 in Atlanta. Born in Roxbury, DL moved from New York to South Carolina and back. He endured desperate times there after his mother was convicted of fraud and, ultimately, served three years in prison when he was only 15(years of age). With his mother incarcerated and his father battling drug addiction, DL had to care for his two younger brothers, work several jobs and began hustling on a regular basis. He spent everything he earned so his family could have food, shelter and clothing. He did all of this while attending school and spending his limited time writing poetry. He transformed from “Smooth D” as he was known in his neighborhood, to “AlkaTraz” in the three years he served as his family’s sole support. Just before his mother was released from prison and the reunion of his family, DL received another devastating blow. During her first week at an Atlanta college, his girlfriend of five years was brutally murdered. Almost a year later, DL felt the negative channeled into a positive when he was accepted at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. He began in early September 2001 with the hopes of getting a degree in Advertising and Marketing. On the 11th, he personally witnessed the Twin Towers attack. With New York in shambles and the country in disbelief, DL decided to regroup and head back to Boston. He renamed himself DL for his then unknown rhyming skills and his initials, Daniel Laurent, and vowed to make himself a major player in the music industry. With no direction or contacts, he produced his own tracks on his pc and created “Hot or Not.” Armed with a phone number to a private answering service and an email address, DL handed out cds free in exchange for honest feedback to whether the tracks were indeed hot or not. The concept helped him meet other producers and industry figures to align him on the right path. In the summer of 2004, at The Middle East in Cambridge, MA (a prominent music venue), DL premiered his debut “Can’t Get A Break.” Fourteen tracks strong, the release sold out completely. That same result would be repeated at each of his future appearances. “Can’tBreak” has also been available online at www.daniellaurent.com, www.cdbaby.com, and his own central forum www.dl-central.com. Recently reviewed by Downtimonline.net, “the only thing wrong with Can’t Get A Break is it’s too short.” In January of 2005, DL re-released his debut with bonus tracks, exclusive remixes and a re-mastered version to his hit single “MASSterpiece (The Anthem).” With an aggressive street team and e team, the re-release has sold a little over five thousand copies to date. Since the buzz and awareness has grown, there have been expressions of frustration with the “non credit card holders” and the absence of the cd in actual store locations. So through consignment deals, Self Made Entertainment has been able to secure 6 locations in and around the New England area and as far out as Los Angeles. Announced as of March 15, 2005, DL has won “Outstanding Achievement in Song Writing” from the Songwriters Resource Network for his other smash single “Contagious.” There is an uphill climb to the top, but “the boots are laced and canteen is filled”, says DL.

Yes I do play live in various venues. From Western Front to Middle East to The Milky Way to gigs in NH. I'm around. I would say a special moment was when I had my first show and opened for a headliner and after I (an unknown) finished my set, 30-40 people bought my cd and left!

Life is my musical influence. I also get inspired by children and environmental concerns. Musically, I am inspired by everything from Nas to Jay-Z, to 2Pac to Marron 5 to Tim McGraw.

One mic.

Secure a copy of my album, it's dope and not traditional by any means! Support the shows you see me in and keep an open mind. I will never do what you may expect, so please support growth and difference.