JaWaan LaRue or “LaRue” is an American hip hop recording artist, producer, and songwriter based out of Orlando Florida.
LaRue was born in Seattle Washington to a single mother in Holly Park Projects. Influenced by West Coast culture and gangster rap music of the ’90s, he began writing rap music. Shortly after graduating high school, he decided to join the military where he served in the US Army and completed a one-year deployment in support of “Operation Iraqi Freedom” from 2003 – 2004. LaRue gained national attention in 2006 after releasing his first album “I Can Only Be Me” solely produced by Rising Son & Saki XL under City Of Dreams Entertainment. The album single “Certified Hip Hop” received a heavy buzz around the Northwest Region of the United States. The song aired on stations such as Kube 93.3 FM (Seattle, WA), Kexp Street Sounds 90.3 FM (Seattle, WA), Hip Hop 101 Television (Seattle, WA), Rainy Dawg Radio (University of Washington), 206 Zulu Radio, and more.
“When I was born they had to cut my mama open with a razor / the doctors took a look at me and said he gon' be major / a natural entertainer / thank God that you made him / a shining light / even the devil couldn't knock him down with all his might - JaWaan LaRue”
LaRue has collaborated with Hip Hop veteran, APlus of Souls of Mischief, & Hieroglyphics, Ghost wrote lyrics for Domino (rapper from the early 90’s “Sweet Potato Pie”) and toured with Del Tha Funky Homosapien of Hieroglyphics. LaRue has opened for many artists such as Macklemore, Pharoahe Monch, Rhapsody, 9th Wonder, Pete Rock, Warren G, Slum Village, Mr. Lif, Cage, One Be Lo, Binary Star, Silent Lambs Project, Cool Nutz, Grieves, Madd Illz, Drag-On, Specs One, Substantial, and more. LaRue has collaborated with many talented producers around the world including Rising Son (Seattle, WA), Marcus D (Seattle, WA/Japan), Charlie Rock (New York City), Chico Star (Miami, FL), Kay Tenko (UK), Fayrouz Neemah (Switzerland), and more.
In 2010 LaRue released his 2nd album titled “Saturn Returns” themed after the Saturn Return theory of the planet Saturn returning and having an effect on adult life hood. The album got recognized as one of the best local 2010 albums released in Seattle by a Northwest blog. The leading single “Rise Up,” a powerful song that touches hearts and inspires many, quickly grew as many people’s favorite music video with its many striking images of the city of Seattle and its eye cleaver storyline. The video took place in Seattle, WA and was co-written and co-directed by Aidan Martin & Rich Phelps.
In 2011 LaRue moved to Orlando, FL where he attended Full Sail University. Upon arriving LaRue signed with Conscious Mind Records based out of Orlando, FL.
While living in Florida, he performed at venues such as University of Central Florida, Florida State University, Full Sail University and more. Also, he was selected to work with American Cancer Society to perform in front of 39,000 people at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5k Walk, as well as the 2013 24th Annual Zora Neale Festival, and many other local events in Tampa, Sanford, Winter Park, and St. Petersburg, FL. On March 30, 2013, he released his third studio album titled “Unconditional.” It features artist such as Palmer Reed, Meangirl, Nirvana Pistol, Treez and includes production from Marcus D, Rising Son, Charlie Rock, Phree Will, Kay Tenko, and more. LaRue is currently working on his 4th studio album titled “EuRal Gold” and is looking to release new projects with producers Marcus D, and DJ Bitz N Pieces.