The Purist

Last updated
The Purist
Purist press photo.jpg
Background information
Birth nameLawrence Lord
Born Chichester, West Sussex, UK
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s)Producer, Songwriter
Years active2010 - present
LabelsDaupe!

Lawrence Lord, professionally known as The Purist, is a British hip hop record producer and DJ from Chichester, West Sussex. [1] He has collaborated with various prominent American and British rappers including MF Doom, Westside Gunn, Danny Brown, Freddie Gibbs, CasIsDead, Loyle Carner and Sonnyjim. [2] [3]

Music media figures have called The Purist's productions "lush and sample heavy", "soulful Blaxploitation infused", "ethereal and eerie", and "cinematically moody". [1] [4] [3] He has self described himself as a "purveyor of luxury rap beats". [5]

Lord also founded and works as creative director of record label Daupe!, which has released music from Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine, Ghostface Killah and Mach Hommy. [6] [7]

The Purist's production credits include contributions to the Mercury Award-nominated album Yesterday's Gone by Loyle Carner and the album Famous Last Words by 2024 Brit Award winner CasIsDead. [6]

Career and Works

Lord started working in the music industry in the mid-2000s, mostly making music outside of rap. However, he slowly began building up connections with American rappers through his blog Pyrex Scholar which showcased his crate digging sample style. That included with collaborating with Roc Marciano, Westside Gunn and Danny Brown. [1] [8]

In 2010, he decided to found the record label Daupe! to release some of his own collaborations and music from rappers he knew and liked. Daupe!'s ethos of quality over quantity in limited vinyl releases has gathered it a committed following over the years since, including a featured write up from distributor Bandcamp. [4] Daupe! distributed releases, including Westside Gunn's Hitler Wears Hermes and Pray For Paris, were among vinyl marketplace Discogs' most expensive sales in 2022. [9]

"In the digital era where people hold no real value towards music anymore, the idea of paying £20 for a physical piece of vinyl may seem ludicrous. That's why I wanted to make it special – for it to look, feel, and sound amazing – and doing it in limited numbers makes it feel more special," Lord said of his label's distribution choices. [5]

In recent years The Purist's productions have featured in the HBO series Succession, as well as in ad campaigns with Yves Saint Laurent and Loyle Carner, Levi's and Virgil Abloh's Off-White. [10] [8] His 2022 joint album White Girl Wasted with Sonnyjim saw favourable reviews in music publications like Pitchfork and Stereogum. [3] [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MF Doom</span> British-American rapper (1971–2020)

Daniel Dumile, also known by his stage name MF Doom or simply Doom, was a British-American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Noted for his intricate wordplay, signature metal mask, and "supervillain" stage persona, he became a major figure of underground hip hop and alternative hip hop in the 2000s.

<i>Madvillainy</i> 2004 studio album by Madvillain

Madvillainy is the only studio album by American hip hop duo Madvillain, consisting of British-American rapper MF Doom and American record producer Madlib. It was released on March 23, 2004, on Stones Throw Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madlib</span> American record producer (born 1973)

Otis Lee Jackson, Jr., known professionally as Madlib, is an American record producer, DJ, multi-instrumentalist, and rapper. Critically acclaimed for his eclectic and sample-heavy production style, he is regarded as one of the most influential producers in modern hip hop and alternative hip hop. His frequent collaborators include MF DOOM, J Dilla, Freddie Gibbs, Talib Kweli, and Erykah Badu.

<i>Operation: Doomsday</i> 1999 studio album by MF Doom

Operation: Doomsday is the debut studio album by British-American rapper MF Doom, released through Fondle 'Em Records on 19 October 1999 and reissued by Sub Verse Records in 2001 with a slightly altered track listing. It was his first solo release under the MF Doom moniker after previously performing as Zev Love X in the group KMD. Operation: Doomsday is regarded as one of the most influential albums in independent hip-hop history. A deluxe remastered version of the album was released by Doom's own Metal Face Records on 24 October 2011.

<i>Mm..Food</i> 2004 studio album by MF Doom

Mm..Food is the fifth studio album by British-American rapper and producer MF Doom, released through Rhymesayers on 16 November, 2004. The album peaked at number 17 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart, and number 9 on Heatseekers Albums chart. The title Mm..Food is an anagram of "MF Doom".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fondle 'Em Records</span> Record label

Fondle 'Em Records was a hip hop record label founded and owned by Bobbito Garcia from 1995 to 2001, based in New York City. Garcia formed the label after realizing that the many unsigned rappers making guest appearances on The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show, a program Bobbito co-hosted with DJ Stretch Armstrong on Columbia University radio station WKCR 89.9 FM, did not have a proper outlet for their talents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jehst</span> Musical artist

William G. Shields, better known by his stage name Jehst, is an English rapper and co-founder of hip hop label YNR Productions.

<i>1999</i> (mixtape) 2012 mixtape by Joey Badass

1999 is the debut mixtape by American rapper Joey Bada$$. It was released independently as a free digital download on June 12, 2012. The mixtape is a tribute to 1990s East Coast hip hop, featuring boom bap production and lyrical themes reflecting Joey's experiences as a teenager in Brooklyn. The mixtape incorporates elements of jazz rap, conscious hip hop, and old school hip hop. The mixtape contains guest appearances from fellow Pro Era members Capital STEEZ, CJ Fly, and Chuck Strangers, as well as T'nah Apex. Production was handled primarily by various members of Pro Era, including Chuck Strangers and Kirk Knight, along with established producers like Lord Finesse, MF DOOM, and J Dilla. Videos were released for the tracks "Hardknock", "Survival Tactics", "FromdaTomb$", and "Waves". The mixtape's cover art features a childhood photo of Joey Bada$$, emphasizing the youthful perspective presented in the lyrics. 1999 was widely acclaimed by music critics and is considered Joey Bada$$'s breakthrough project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Brown discography</span> Hip hop recording artist discography

The discography of Danny Brown, an American hip hop recording artist, consists of six studio albums, four extended plays (EPs), nine mixtapes, twenty four singles, two promotional singles and 37 music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Your Old Droog</span> American rapper

Dmitry Kutsenko, known by his stage name Your Old Droog, is a Ukrainian-born American rapper and producer from Brooklyn, New York. He first gained public attention in June 2014 when online rumors were circulated that his self-published debut EP was actually recorded by veteran New York rapper Nas under an alter ego, before revealing himself in August of that year as a 25-year-old Ukrainian American. His self-titled debut album was released digitally on November 25, 2014. The name "Droog" comes from the Ukrainian word 'друг' meaning "friend".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loyle Carner</span> English hip hop musician (born 1994)

Benjamin Gerard Coyle-Larner, known professionally as Loyle Carner, is an English hip hop musician. After supporting various rappers during their tours, he released his debut album, Yesterday's Gone, in 2017, which garnered a nomination for the 2017 Mercury Prize. He released his second album, Not Waving, but Drowning, in April 2019, and his third, hugo, in October 2022. Carner has been nominated for three Brit Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westside Gunn</span> American rapper (born 1982)

Alvin Lamar Worthy, known professionally as Westside Gunn, is an American rapper, executive producer, and fashion designer, best known as the head and co-founder of independent hip-hop label Griselda Records. He founded the label with his paternal half-brother rapper Conway the Machine and frequently collaborates with him alongside his cousin and fellow rapper Benny the Butcher. Gunn is recognized as one of the faces of the underground 2010s grimey boom bap resurgence, juxtaposing vivid drug-ridden street narratives, high fashion, and luxurious, artistic sample based production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conway the Machine</span> American rapper (born 1982)

Demond Price, known professionally as Conway the Machine, or simply Conway, is an American rapper and co-founder of the hip hop label Griselda Records, alongside his paternal half-brother Westside Gunn. Acclaimed for his 1990s inspired, dark and gritty lyricism, he rose to prominence following his mixtape Reject 2 (2015) and debut studio album From King To A GOD (2020). His second album, God Don't Make Mistakes (2022), was released by Shady Records and met with universal acclaim.

Griselda Records is an American independent hip hop record label based in Buffalo, New York. It was founded by rapper Westside Gunn, his brother Conway the Machine, and Mach-Hommy in 2012. In addition to the founding members, Benny the Butcher and in-house producer Daringer make up the flagship artists of the Griselda Records roster.

A State of Mind is an international hip hop act, their music is considered alternative hip hop, but draws influences from other genres like Jazz and Funk. They consist of two MCs, Benjamin Bambach alias Green T or GT Lovecraft from Canada and Maik Schindler alias FP respectively Funk E. Poet from Germany, as well as producer/beatmaker Adam Simmons alias Rhino or Fade from England. Since 2019 they are signed to Chinese Man Records, a French Indie-label run by band Chinese Man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lord Apex</span> British musician (born 1996)

Shaeem Santino Wright known as Lord Apex, is a British MC who grew up in White City, London, United Kingdom. His music crosses multiple styles of rap, including UK hip-hop, alternative hip hop, and lo-fi hip hop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mach-Hommy</span> Haitian-American rapper

Mach-Hommy is an American rapper and record producer of Haitian descent. He is well known for his reclusive nature, concealing his real name and face in all public appearances. This behavior has led him to be described as "one of hip-hop's most elusive artists".

<i>Pray for Haiti</i> 2021 album by Mach-Hommy

Pray for Haiti is the twenty-second studio album by Haitian-American rapper Mach-Hommy. It was released on May 21, 2021, through Griselda Records and Daupe!. Production was handled by Camoflauge Monk, Conductor Williams, Denny LaFlare, Cee Gee, DJ Green Lantern, Messiah Muzik, Nicholas Craven and Sadhu Gold, with Westside Gunn and Mach-Hommy serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Westside Gunn, Keisha Plum, Melanie Charles as well as Tha God Fahim and received universal acclaim from critics.

The following list is a discography of production by Daringer, an American hip hop record producer and recording artist from Buffalo, New York. It includes a list of songs produced and co-produced by year, artist, album and title.

Sonnyjim is a rapper and hip-hop producer from Birmingham, England.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "A Pyrex Scholar: An Interview with UK Producer The Purist". Passion of the Weiss. 2015-03-12. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  2. Weinstein, Max WeinsteinMax (2016-02-15). "Westside Gunn and The Purist Team Up for 'Roses Are Red...So Is Blood' EP - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  3. 1 2 3 Kappal, Bhanuj. "Sonnyjim / The Purist: White Girl Wasted". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  4. 1 2 "Quality Over Quantity: How Daupe! is Building a Hip-Hop Label That Lasts". Bandcamp Daily. 2016-10-27. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  5. 1 2 Leask, Hugh (2018-02-08). "Daupe! is crashing Bandcamp with its indie rap vinyl editions". Fact Magazine. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  6. 1 2 "Rap's understated primo producer speaks Lunchboxes, old hard drives and EastEnders". composer.spitfireaudio.com. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  7. Radio, N. T. S. "The Purist | Discover music on NTS". NTS Radio. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  8. 1 2 "Purist & Sonnyjim on psychedelics, UK hip hop & working with MF Doom". Huck. 2022-09-05. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  9. "50 Most Expensive Items Sold on Discogs in 2022". Discogs.
  10. Staff, Wonderland (2017-09-20). "Y by Yves Saint Laurent | Wonderland Magazine". Wonderland. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  11. "Sonnyjim & The Purist Team With MF DOOM & Jay Electronica On New Song "Barz Simpson": Listen". Stereogum. 2022-08-15. Retrieved 2024-06-11.