Aspiring artist breathing fresh air into the local hip-hop scene

Rapper LAH is one aspiring artist with a determination to make a difference at Southern University as well as in his hometown of Baton Rouge.
LAH a.k.a Richard Slaughter is an up and coming talent born in Port Allen but raised in Baton Rouge, where he finds his inspiration.
LAH is the abbreviated form of Slaughter’s rap name Colossus which was given to him by his friend who could not pronounce Colossus and Slaughter decided to stick with it.
The 23-year-old senior business management major with a minor in accounting, attends Southern University and will soon be graduating but said he will not lose his love for music.
“Music is all I can think of all day everyday,” said Slaughter.
Slaughter knew he wanted to be involved with music ever since he was in the eighth grade at Southern Lab.
His music career began when he was apart of a music group that would perform open mike shows and even battle of the band shows.
Separating Slaughter from your average rapper from the fact that he was fortunate enough to have a proper upbringing and was not involved with the wrong crowds he said.
Currently a solo artist, his goal is to use his music in a positive way.
His debute album “Colorful” is currently being produced by Slaughter and his co-producer Raphael Washington.
“I chose the title “Colorful” because it represents the image I put forth when I am in public, loud and colorful,” said Slaughter.
With full writing credits for all tracks on the album, Slaughter plans to put out two singles before his album release.
Although Slaughter portrays a colorful image, he said he wants people to be drawn more to his music and the movement that the industry is going through as far as the change in hip-hop and rap.
“The message I want to send people through my music is one of self love and being true to you,” said Slaughter.
Slaughter only intends on leaving his beloved city to do performances, but has a strong desire to help change Baton Rouge.
“I see what all Baton Rouge lacks and it drives me to use it in my music and makes me see how I want to make improvements in the city,” said Slaughter.
When Slaughter graduates from college, he wants to use his business management degree to start his own music label and his accounting degree for real estate.
After he has at least five albums under his belt, Slaughter wants to focus on his business management career by doing real estate and possibly upscale nightclubs.