Vince Lawrence
Encyclopedia
Vince Lawrence is a dance music producer, businessman and is one of the leading innovators of the genre of music called "House Music
".
Industry insiders recognize Lawrence as co-author of "On and On", the first recording officially designated "house music
". He worked with Jesse Saunders
in the initial creation of Jes Say Records, designing its logo by hand. He served as head of marketing and was the lyric writer for "Funk U Up" (the first House track to ever make it onto the Billboard charts), "Undercover" by Dr. Derelict, "Real Love", and many other songs released in the label's heyday. He also co-authored "Love Can't Turn Around
" with Daryl Pandy, which reached #10 in the UK Singles Chart
in 1986 and started the House music
revolution in the UK. He organized Trax Records
, a Chicago house
label. He is the founder of Slang MusicGroup, which has received numerous gold and platinum awards for their contributions.
. Eddie managed several soul and funk
acts, one of which was Captain Sky
, who was a Funk
artist that played on Soul Train
and other shows. One year, Vince got to go on tour with the musicians. He did their pyrotechnician work and watched the guy that played the synthesizers and keyboards. He thought the guy was cool and decided to learn a little bit about his synthesizers. When he got back home, he saved up enough money to buy a small synthesizer, a Moog Prodigy
. Looking up to his mentors, Vince started his own band called Z Factor with Fred Riley – keyboards, Bernadette Rabaya – singer, Larry Praither – guitar, Cordell – drums. Vince sang and played keyboards.
Their first record was called “(I Like To Do It In) Fast Cars” and came out in 1982 when he was eighteen. Vince’s dad put the record on his label, Mitchbal Records. The record was played on WGCI in regular rotation and a few records were sold. At the same time, Vince was also going to a teen club called The Playground, which was the brainchild of a young entrepreneurial man, Craig Thomson. He then met Jesse Saunders
and Farley Keith, who were the DJs. They would play old disco records, which they would mix with The B-52's
music. Vince got a job there, through Jesse, doing lights. He brought Jesse and Farley his record and they would play it. Vince told them that the stuff they were playing could be put on record and would make them even more popular DJs. By making a record, crowds at the clubs would know who the announced DJ was and would make the crowd attendance bigger. Vince told Jesse that he had a synthesizer and was in a band. They decided to work together to make the first house record.
They wrote the beginnings of the “On And On” record along with ten or eleven more songs. Then they made “On And On Traxs” and went to Precision Records, a pressing plant, to pay for 500 records. These records would be played in the clubs. In three weeks it became the hottest song in the city. Vince told Jesse that they should sell the records at the concession stand at The Playground. They met the guy that ran the concession stand, Duane Buford, and when it turned out that Duane played piano, they decided to make some music together.
It was a pain selling the records at the concession stand so they decided to go to a record store called Imports Etc., where they sold a thousand records for four dollars each. They threw a party at Duane’s house and wrote “Night Flight”, “Dum Dum”, “I’m The DJ,” and all the other songs that would eventually become popular. Some of them came out of Vince’s dad’s label, Mitchbal, and the others came out on a label Vince named for Jesse called Jes Say Records. The logo was written in Vince’s own handwriting.
Vince went back to the Precision Records to get more records from the owner, Larry Sherman, every couple of weeks. The teenage repeat customer made the owner curious, so Larry asked him what he was doing with the records. After Vince told him that he was selling them for four dollars, Larry and Vince made a deal that Larry would press the records for no charge and share the profits. Vince wanted to have a label that would fit what they were doing and came up with the name Trax Records
.
Vince wanted to show people in Detroit the music that he was doing, because he thought the records would sell in other cities as well. He went to the clubs in Detroit and gave the DJs copies of the records. After creating relationships with the underground record shops, he set his sights on New York
. He met Bruce Forrest in New York
, gave him some records and ended up staying there for three months finding stores and selling records. He called up Duane and Jesse and told them to come to New York
. After seeing how much Vince was making selling these records in New York
, Larry financed his trips to other states to find all the DJ stores and clubs.
Other DJs started teaming up, following what Vince had started. Frankie Knuckles
teamed up with Jamie Principle
to make their first record and Steve Hurley teamed up with Rocky Jones to start DJ International. This was happening when Vince met Marshall Jefferson
in the clubs with his friends, Sleazy-D and Adonis (artist)
. Marshall wanted to get a record out under his nickname, Virgo, so Vince told them to do it under his own label. Vince and Marshall made the EP
, “Virgo Trax”, which still gets played today.
, Adonis (artist)
, Byron Styngly, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Ron Hardy, Screamin’ Rachel, and Jesse Saunders
at Trax Records
, Vince founded Slang MusicGroup. Staying in Chicago, Vince evolved from an artist and producer to the entrepreneur and marketer that he is today. He has made Slang MusicGroup a “pop culture divining rod,” creating original and remix music for bands, gaming, and TV along with innovative advertising campaigns. Multiple producers and artists work for Slang MusicGroup and Vince has received many RIAA Gold and Platinum awards for his work. Vince has worked with top selling acts such as Michael Jackson
, Whitney Houston
, Korn
, R. Kelly
, Wylef Jean, John Legend
, and Beyonce. Slang MusicGroup has become a destination for electronic music makers of every genre.
: electro, deep house
, old school, progressive, and drum & bass. Vince was able to create a way for anybody to use loops to create new and improved house music
. Vince when interviewed, expressed his hope that the tool set would help foster a new generation of house music
makers and fans. He also expressed how he thought this would bring the house music
genre out of the underground into the mainstream.
and later studied marketing at Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois
. He decided to leave College when he realized he was making more money than most seniors.
: "Mad props to my mentor and the dude that showed me the ropes in the beginning. Wanna know where House music started? look no further."
Adonis (artist)
: "MY HOUSE BLOOD BROTHER 4 LIFE!"
Anthony Mpulse: "One of the original house heads! One of the key guys behind the scenes! The man, the myth, the legend!!!"
shaka23: "A REAL TESTIMONIAL: Vince is one of the most amazing, talented, and patient people I've ever met and that is just a start on positive things I can say."
Music 101: "As founder of The Slang Musicgroup and co-founder of Flatblast Entertainment, Lawrence has evolved from artist and producer to entrepreneur and marketer. Above all, he is a veteran of the street with an intuitive understanding of what youth culture craves--be it style and music or consumer products that he telegraphs to the street through soundtracks for advertising or non-traditional "under the radar" field marketing programs. Vince Lawrence's intimate relationship with pop culture and lifelong love of music have evolved into a unique insight that is eagerly sought out—from the trend hunters of Madison Avenue to the likes of popstar R. Kelly."
Jesse Saunders
"Vince was my inspiration, the protagonist of all my dreams, without Vince the scene would be without it's guiding force and mentor"
Beyonce- Ego ---remix
John Legend
- saveroom ---remix
John Legend
~ GREEN LIGHT ---remix
Justin Stein ~ LOOSE CONTROL ---remix
Jonathan Davis
~ GOT MONEY ---remix
Omarion
- icebox ---remix
Omarion
~ TOUCH ---remix
Omarion
~ I'M TRYNA ---remix
Solange Knowles
- tony ---remix
Solange Knowles
- sandcastles ---remix
Wyclef Jean- sweetest girl ---remix
Wyclef Jean- touch your button ---remix
Amerie
~ TOUCH ---remix
Vivian Green
- I Like It (But I Don't Need It) - Columbia ---remix
R. Kelly
– Thoia Thoing- Jive ---Club Mix
P1-In My Soul-Novo ---Club Mix
P1-Terranova (Vespa) -Novo ---Club Mix
P1- Heat it Up -Novo ---Club Mix
Michael Jackson
- One More Chance- Epic ---Club Mix (2)
R. Kelly
– Ignition – Jive ---Club Mix (2)
Whitney Houston
/Deborah Cox
- Same Script Different Cast – Arista ---Club Mix (3)
Donell Jones
- Where I Wanna Be – Arista ---Club Mix (2)
R. Kelly
- I Wish – Jive ---Club Mix
Absolute - Is It Really Like That – Atlantic ---Club Mix
Lina (singer)
- No More – Atlantic ---Club Mix
Sisqo - Incomplete - Island/DefJam ---Club Mix
112 - Anywhere - BAD BOY ---Club Mix
Crystal Method – Comin’Back – Outpost ---Club Mix
KMFDM - Light - WaxTrax/TVT ---Club Mix
Concrete Blonde
- Wanna Be Your Friend ---Club Mix
Taffy (singer)
- Love My Radio (UK Mix) – Mute ---Club Mix
Releases:
JQ ~ Dixie Cups ---Prod
JQ ~ Superfly Guy ---Prod
JQ ~ go down and show ---Prod
Morgan Mallory ~ echoes ---Prod
Morgan Mallory ~ spotlight ---Prod
Morgan Mallory ~ still you love me ---Prod
Morgan Mallory ~ come feel me ---Prod
Jana G ~ sleepin ---Prod
Jana G ~ make me ---Prod
Jana G ~ open up ---Prod
Nikki Lynette ~ BIG ---Prod
Nikki Lynette ~ need a man ---Prod
Savvy and Mandy- dream ---Album Prod
Melody Swink- Today is Someday -Iris ---Album Prod
Ms. Alto- Heat/Taste the Wine-Slang Recordings ---Writer/Prod
Ms. Alto-Sunrise/My First Love-Slang Recordings ---Writer/Prod
Liquid Soul
-Evolution- Shanachie ---Writer/Prod
Yvonne Gage-Mirror Mirror/So Good- Slang Recordings ---Writer/Prod
Katia-Let Me Be Free- Slang Recordings ---Writer/Prod
Poundseven-Self Titled-Hatelove ---Album Prod
Felix Da Housecatt-I Know ElectricBoy- Emperor Norton ---Writer/Prod
Urban Knights
IV- Clubland- Narada ---Writer/Prod
North Avenue - Solutions/Someday - Music101 ---Writer/Prod
MOB - Creepin/Breaks Em Off - PD Waxx ---Engineer
KoS - Take U There - Long Tall Salley ---Writer/Prod
KoS - Summer Nights - Long Tall Salley ---Writer/Prod
Vince Lawrence - The Night is Young - KTM/Tressor ---Writer/Prod
Vince Lawrence - Songs Without a Singer - KTM/Tressor ---Album Prod
Terminal White - The Colorline – White ---Album Prod
Donna Summer
– What Is It You Want - Atlantic ---Writer/Prod
Richard Rodgers - Bed of Roses – Sam ---Writer/Prod
Bang Orchestra- Rush- Trax ---Writer/Prod
CCP - A Solution – Mute ---Writer/Prod
The Swans - Girl with a Gun – Mute ---Writer/Prod
Bang Orchestra - Sample That – Geffen ---Writer/Prod
Shay Jones – Time To Party – Trax ---Writer/Prod
Shay Jones – Feeling the Need – Trax ---Writer/Prod
Gwendolyn - Come to Me - Precision / Trax ---Writer/Prod
Cath Carroll
- Too Good To Live ---Writer/Prod
LeNoiz - Wanna Dance – Trax ---Prod
Fresh - Dum Dum – Trax ---Prod
Farley Jackmaster Funk - Love Can’t Turn – Trax ---Writer
Marshall Jefferson
- Move Your Body – Trax ---Engineer/Prod
Virgo/Marshall Jefferson
- VirgoTrax / Go Wild - Other Side ---Prod/Engineer
Dezz7 / 10City - Funny Love – Trax ---Prod
Darryl Pandy - Climax – Brightstar ---Prod
Ron Hardy
- Sensation – Trax ---Writer/Prod
Grant - Dance – Trax ---Prod
Midnight - In a Heartbeat – Jessay ---Writer
The Homeboys – It’s Your Night – Jessay ---Writer
Dr. Derelict - Undercover – Jessay ---Writer
Z Factor – Z Factor – Mitchbal ---Writer/Prod
Jesse Saunders
– On & On ---Writer
Z Factor – Fast Cars ---Writer/Prod
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
".
Industry insiders recognize Lawrence as co-author of "On and On", the first recording officially designated "house music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
". He worked with Jesse Saunders
Jesse Saunders
Jesse Saunders is a DJ, music and film producer, remix artist, promoter and entrepreneur. He is one of the pioneers of House music, often cited as "the originator of House music". His 1984 single, "On & On", co-written with Vince Lawrence, was first record with a house DJ as the artist that was...
in the initial creation of Jes Say Records, designing its logo by hand. He served as head of marketing and was the lyric writer for "Funk U Up" (the first House track to ever make it onto the Billboard charts), "Undercover" by Dr. Derelict, "Real Love", and many other songs released in the label's heyday. He also co-authored "Love Can't Turn Around
Love Can't Turn Around
"Love Can't Turn Around" was a 1986 single by Farley "Jackmaster" Funk featuring Darryl Pandy. It holds an important place in the history of house music as the first record in that genre to cross over from the clubs into the UK Singles Chart.-History:...
" with Daryl Pandy, which reached #10 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in 1986 and started the House music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
revolution in the UK. He organized Trax Records
Trax Records
Trax Records is a house-music record label based in Chicago. It played a major part in the development of house music with records such as Jamie Principle & Frankie Knuckles's "Your Love."...
, a Chicago house
Chicago house
Chicago house is a style of house music, a genre of electronic dance music which emerged in Chicago in the mid-1980s. Stylistically, Chicago house has no widely accepted definition, but generally includes the first house music productions by Chicago-based artists throughout the 1980s, and any later...
label. He is the founder of Slang MusicGroup, which has received numerous gold and platinum awards for their contributions.
Early years
At the time, Vince’s dad, worked with Eddie Thomas of Curtom RecordsCurtom Records
Curtom Records was a record label started by Curtis Mayfield of The Impressions along with Impressions associate Eddie Thomas in 1968 although the name was used as early as 1963. The labels name was a combination of Mayfields first name and Thomas' surname...
. Eddie managed several soul and funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
acts, one of which was Captain Sky
Captain Sky
Daryl L. Cameron , better known as Captain Sky, is an American musician and singer. Captain Sky’s funk-based musical style, futuristic costumes, and psychedelic imagery are similar to those of George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and other Parliament/Funkadelic projects...
, who was a Funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
artist that played on Soul Train
Soul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
and other shows. One year, Vince got to go on tour with the musicians. He did their pyrotechnician work and watched the guy that played the synthesizers and keyboards. He thought the guy was cool and decided to learn a little bit about his synthesizers. When he got back home, he saved up enough money to buy a small synthesizer, a Moog Prodigy
Moog Prodigy
The Moog Prodigy was a synthesizer produced by Moog Music from 1979 to 1984. Of the 11,000 produced, versions released after 1981 included a control voltage/gate input on the back that allowed the VCF of the filter to be triggered and controlled by an external source.These later versions began at...
. Looking up to his mentors, Vince started his own band called Z Factor with Fred Riley – keyboards, Bernadette Rabaya – singer, Larry Praither – guitar, Cordell – drums. Vince sang and played keyboards.
Their first record was called “(I Like To Do It In) Fast Cars” and came out in 1982 when he was eighteen. Vince’s dad put the record on his label, Mitchbal Records. The record was played on WGCI in regular rotation and a few records were sold. At the same time, Vince was also going to a teen club called The Playground, which was the brainchild of a young entrepreneurial man, Craig Thomson. He then met Jesse Saunders
Jesse Saunders
Jesse Saunders is a DJ, music and film producer, remix artist, promoter and entrepreneur. He is one of the pioneers of House music, often cited as "the originator of House music". His 1984 single, "On & On", co-written with Vince Lawrence, was first record with a house DJ as the artist that was...
and Farley Keith, who were the DJs. They would play old disco records, which they would mix with The B-52's
The B-52's
The B-52's are an American rock band, formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976. The original line-up consisted of Fred Schneider , Kate Pierson , Cindy Wilson , Ricky Wilson , and Keith Strickland . Following Ricky Wilson's death in 1985 Strickland switched to guitar...
music. Vince got a job there, through Jesse, doing lights. He brought Jesse and Farley his record and they would play it. Vince told them that the stuff they were playing could be put on record and would make them even more popular DJs. By making a record, crowds at the clubs would know who the announced DJ was and would make the crowd attendance bigger. Vince told Jesse that he had a synthesizer and was in a band. They decided to work together to make the first house record.
They wrote the beginnings of the “On And On” record along with ten or eleven more songs. Then they made “On And On Traxs” and went to Precision Records, a pressing plant, to pay for 500 records. These records would be played in the clubs. In three weeks it became the hottest song in the city. Vince told Jesse that they should sell the records at the concession stand at The Playground. They met the guy that ran the concession stand, Duane Buford, and when it turned out that Duane played piano, they decided to make some music together.
It was a pain selling the records at the concession stand so they decided to go to a record store called Imports Etc., where they sold a thousand records for four dollars each. They threw a party at Duane’s house and wrote “Night Flight”, “Dum Dum”, “I’m The DJ,” and all the other songs that would eventually become popular. Some of them came out of Vince’s dad’s label, Mitchbal, and the others came out on a label Vince named for Jesse called Jes Say Records. The logo was written in Vince’s own handwriting.
Vince went back to the Precision Records to get more records from the owner, Larry Sherman, every couple of weeks. The teenage repeat customer made the owner curious, so Larry asked him what he was doing with the records. After Vince told him that he was selling them for four dollars, Larry and Vince made a deal that Larry would press the records for no charge and share the profits. Vince wanted to have a label that would fit what they were doing and came up with the name Trax Records
Trax Records
Trax Records is a house-music record label based in Chicago. It played a major part in the development of house music with records such as Jamie Principle & Frankie Knuckles's "Your Love."...
.
Vince wanted to show people in Detroit the music that he was doing, because he thought the records would sell in other cities as well. He went to the clubs in Detroit and gave the DJs copies of the records. After creating relationships with the underground record shops, he set his sights on New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He met Bruce Forrest in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, gave him some records and ended up staying there for three months finding stores and selling records. He called up Duane and Jesse and told them to come to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. After seeing how much Vince was making selling these records in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Larry financed his trips to other states to find all the DJ stores and clubs.
Other DJs started teaming up, following what Vince had started. Frankie Knuckles
Frankie Knuckles
Frankie Knuckles is an American DJ, record producer and remix artist. He played an important role in developing house music as a Chicago DJ in the 1980s and he helped to popularize house music in the 1990s, with his work as a producer and remixer...
teamed up with Jamie Principle
Jamie Principle
Jamie Principle is a house music artist and producer born in Chicago, Illinois.He is one of the early pioneers of house music when the genre first began in Chicago during the early 1980s...
to make their first record and Steve Hurley teamed up with Rocky Jones to start DJ International. This was happening when Vince met Marshall Jefferson
Marshall Jefferson
Marshall Jefferson is an American musician, working in house music, in particular, the subgenres of Chicago house and deep house.-Biography:...
in the clubs with his friends, Sleazy-D and Adonis (artist)
Adonis (artist)
Adonis is a Chicago acid house pioneer who made his name with the classic 1986 tracks 'No Way Back' and 'We're Rockin Down The House'.Adonis recorded many innovative and influential dance tracks. Born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, Adonis was introduced to music at a young age...
. Marshall wanted to get a record out under his nickname, Virgo, so Vince told them to do it under his own label. Vince and Marshall made the EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, “Virgo Trax”, which still gets played today.
Slang MusicGroup
After exposing some of the dance world’s best artists such as Marshall JeffersonMarshall Jefferson
Marshall Jefferson is an American musician, working in house music, in particular, the subgenres of Chicago house and deep house.-Biography:...
, Adonis (artist)
Adonis (artist)
Adonis is a Chicago acid house pioneer who made his name with the classic 1986 tracks 'No Way Back' and 'We're Rockin Down The House'.Adonis recorded many innovative and influential dance tracks. Born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, Adonis was introduced to music at a young age...
, Byron Styngly, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Ron Hardy, Screamin’ Rachel, and Jesse Saunders
Jesse Saunders
Jesse Saunders is a DJ, music and film producer, remix artist, promoter and entrepreneur. He is one of the pioneers of House music, often cited as "the originator of House music". His 1984 single, "On & On", co-written with Vince Lawrence, was first record with a house DJ as the artist that was...
at Trax Records
Trax Records
Trax Records is a house-music record label based in Chicago. It played a major part in the development of house music with records such as Jamie Principle & Frankie Knuckles's "Your Love."...
, Vince founded Slang MusicGroup. Staying in Chicago, Vince evolved from an artist and producer to the entrepreneur and marketer that he is today. He has made Slang MusicGroup a “pop culture divining rod,” creating original and remix music for bands, gaming, and TV along with innovative advertising campaigns. Multiple producers and artists work for Slang MusicGroup and Vince has received many RIAA Gold and Platinum awards for his work. Vince has worked with top selling acts such as Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
, Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
, R. Kelly
R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
, Wylef Jean, John Legend
John Legend
John Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career...
, and Beyonce. Slang MusicGroup has become a destination for electronic music makers of every genre.
Chicago Fire: A Dance Music Anthology
For the musician and non musician alike, Vince wanted to make it as easy as possible for anyone to make good sounding music. He spear headed the development of the Chicago Fire: A Dance Music Anthology in conjunction with Sony Acid. This anthology covers many types of electronic musicElectronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
: electro, deep house
Deep house
Deep house is a subgenre of house music that fuses elements of Chicago house into the 1980s jazz-funk and touches of soul music. In the early compositions , influences of jazz music were most frequently brought out by using more complex chords than simple triads which are held for many bars and...
, old school, progressive, and drum & bass. Vince was able to create a way for anybody to use loops to create new and improved house music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
. Vince when interviewed, expressed his hope that the tool set would help foster a new generation of house music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
makers and fans. He also expressed how he thought this would bring the house music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
genre out of the underground into the mainstream.
Personal life
Vince's father is an independent songwriter and his mother is now a retired assistant buildings manager for the city's two main federal buildings. He attended Lake View High SchoolLake View High School (Chicago, Illinois)
Lake View High School is a public 4-year high school located in the Lake View neighborhood of Chicago,Illinois. It serves grades 9th through 12th. It is a part of the Chicago Public Schools District 299.-History:...
and later studied marketing at Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois
Carlinville, Illinois
Carlinville is a city in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 5,685, and 5,912 at a 2009 estimate. It is the county seat of Macoupin County, and so it is an outlying part of the Metro-East region of the Greater St...
. He decided to leave College when he realized he was making more money than most seniors.
Quotes
Marshall JeffersonMarshall Jefferson
Marshall Jefferson is an American musician, working in house music, in particular, the subgenres of Chicago house and deep house.-Biography:...
: "Mad props to my mentor and the dude that showed me the ropes in the beginning. Wanna know where House music started? look no further."
Adonis (artist)
Adonis (artist)
Adonis is a Chicago acid house pioneer who made his name with the classic 1986 tracks 'No Way Back' and 'We're Rockin Down The House'.Adonis recorded many innovative and influential dance tracks. Born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, Adonis was introduced to music at a young age...
: "MY HOUSE BLOOD BROTHER 4 LIFE!"
Anthony Mpulse: "One of the original house heads! One of the key guys behind the scenes! The man, the myth, the legend!!!"
shaka23: "A REAL TESTIMONIAL: Vince is one of the most amazing, talented, and patient people I've ever met and that is just a start on positive things I can say."
Music 101: "As founder of The Slang Musicgroup and co-founder of Flatblast Entertainment, Lawrence has evolved from artist and producer to entrepreneur and marketer. Above all, he is a veteran of the street with an intuitive understanding of what youth culture craves--be it style and music or consumer products that he telegraphs to the street through soundtracks for advertising or non-traditional "under the radar" field marketing programs. Vince Lawrence's intimate relationship with pop culture and lifelong love of music have evolved into a unique insight that is eagerly sought out—from the trend hunters of Madison Avenue to the likes of popstar R. Kelly."
Jesse Saunders
Jesse Saunders
Jesse Saunders is a DJ, music and film producer, remix artist, promoter and entrepreneur. He is one of the pioneers of House music, often cited as "the originator of House music". His 1984 single, "On & On", co-written with Vince Lawrence, was first record with a house DJ as the artist that was...
"Vince was my inspiration, the protagonist of all my dreams, without Vince the scene would be without it's guiding force and mentor"
Discography
Remixes:Beyonce- Ego ---remix
John Legend
John Legend
John Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career...
- saveroom ---remix
John Legend
John Legend
John Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career...
~ GREEN LIGHT ---remix
Justin Stein ~ LOOSE CONTROL ---remix
Jonathan Davis
Jonathan Davis
Jonathan Houseman Davis is the lead vocalist and frontman for the nu metal band Korn. Davis was ranked 16th on Hit Parader 's list of "Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists".-Early life:...
~ GOT MONEY ---remix
Omarion
Omarion
Omari Ishmael Grandberry better known as Omarion, is an American R&B singer, actor, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and former lead singer of the R&B group, B2K. Omarion was spotted at a young age by a manager, Christopher B. Stokes, who took a liking to his vocal abilities...
- icebox ---remix
Omarion
Omarion
Omari Ishmael Grandberry better known as Omarion, is an American R&B singer, actor, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and former lead singer of the R&B group, B2K. Omarion was spotted at a young age by a manager, Christopher B. Stokes, who took a liking to his vocal abilities...
~ TOUCH ---remix
Omarion
Omarion
Omari Ishmael Grandberry better known as Omarion, is an American R&B singer, actor, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and former lead singer of the R&B group, B2K. Omarion was spotted at a young age by a manager, Christopher B. Stokes, who took a liking to his vocal abilities...
~ I'M TRYNA ---remix
Solange Knowles
Solange Knowles
Solange Piaget Knowles , who performs under the mononym Solange, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, model, dancer, and DJ. Knowles was born and raised in Houston, Texas along with her older sister singer Beyoncé, a former member of R&B group Destiny's Child...
- tony ---remix
Solange Knowles
Solange Knowles
Solange Piaget Knowles , who performs under the mononym Solange, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, model, dancer, and DJ. Knowles was born and raised in Houston, Texas along with her older sister singer Beyoncé, a former member of R&B group Destiny's Child...
- sandcastles ---remix
Wyclef Jean- sweetest girl ---remix
Wyclef Jean- touch your button ---remix
Amerie
Amerie
Amerie Mi Marie Rogers , known professionally as Amerie or Ameriie, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She debuted in 2002 with the album All I Have, primarily co-written and produced by Rich Harrison, and was well-received in the urban market...
~ TOUCH ---remix
Vivian Green
Vivian Green
Vivian Green is an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter and pianist.-Early life:Green was born May 22, 1979 in the East Oak Lane neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and took an interest in singing, playing the piano, and songwriting at a very young age. At the age of thirteen, she...
- I Like It (But I Don't Need It) - Columbia ---remix
R. Kelly
R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
– Thoia Thoing- Jive ---Club Mix
P1-In My Soul-Novo ---Club Mix
P1-Terranova (Vespa) -Novo ---Club Mix
P1- Heat it Up -Novo ---Club Mix
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
- One More Chance- Epic ---Club Mix (2)
R. Kelly
R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
– Ignition – Jive ---Club Mix (2)
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
/Deborah Cox
Deborah Cox
Deborah Cox is a Canadian R&B singer-songwriter and actress. Her 1998 song "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" held the record for longest-running number one single on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart , a record held for nearly eight years. She has achieved ten number-one hits on...
- Same Script Different Cast – Arista ---Club Mix (3)
Donell Jones
Donell Jones
Donell Jones is an American R&B singer, songwriter and record producer.He is most notable for the hits "U Know What's Up," "Where I Wanna Be," and his cover of Stevie Wonder's "Knocks Me Off My Feet"...
- Where I Wanna Be – Arista ---Club Mix (2)
R. Kelly
R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
- I Wish – Jive ---Club Mix
Absolute - Is It Really Like That – Atlantic ---Club Mix
Lina (singer)
Lina (singer)
Shelina Wade , commonly known as Lina, is an American R&B and soul singer and songwriter.-Early life:Lina was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in, Texas. Lina’s introduction to music started at the age of four when she began singing at church...
- No More – Atlantic ---Club Mix
Sisqo - Incomplete - Island/DefJam ---Club Mix
112 - Anywhere - BAD BOY ---Club Mix
Crystal Method – Comin’Back – Outpost ---Club Mix
KMFDM - Light - WaxTrax/TVT ---Club Mix
Concrete Blonde
Concrete Blonde
Concrete Blonde is an alternative rock band based in the United States. They were initially active from 1982 to 1995, and again from 2001 to 2004, and once again in 2010.-Biography:...
- Wanna Be Your Friend ---Club Mix
Taffy (singer)
Taffy (singer)
Taffy was a 1980s Hi-NRG disco singer, known for her hit, "I Love My Radio".The song, produced by Claudio Cecchetto, who was also behind all her previous hits in Italy, was released in the United Kingdom by Rhythm King's Transglobal Records and was originally a hit in France in 1985...
- Love My Radio (UK Mix) – Mute ---Club Mix
Releases:
JQ ~ Dixie Cups ---Prod
JQ ~ Superfly Guy ---Prod
JQ ~ go down and show ---Prod
Morgan Mallory ~ echoes ---Prod
Morgan Mallory ~ spotlight ---Prod
Morgan Mallory ~ still you love me ---Prod
Morgan Mallory ~ come feel me ---Prod
Jana G ~ sleepin ---Prod
Jana G ~ make me ---Prod
Jana G ~ open up ---Prod
Nikki Lynette ~ BIG ---Prod
Nikki Lynette ~ need a man ---Prod
Savvy and Mandy- dream ---Album Prod
Melody Swink- Today is Someday -Iris ---Album Prod
Ms. Alto- Heat/Taste the Wine-Slang Recordings ---Writer/Prod
Ms. Alto-Sunrise/My First Love-Slang Recordings ---Writer/Prod
Liquid Soul
Liquid Soul
Liquid Soul is a jazz, hip-hop, funk, freestyle fusion ensemble formed in 1994 from Chicago, Illinois which helped pioneer the Acid Jazz movement in the United States in the 90's...
-Evolution- Shanachie ---Writer/Prod
Yvonne Gage-Mirror Mirror/So Good- Slang Recordings ---Writer/Prod
Katia-Let Me Be Free- Slang Recordings ---Writer/Prod
Poundseven-Self Titled-Hatelove ---Album Prod
Felix Da Housecatt-I Know ElectricBoy- Emperor Norton ---Writer/Prod
Urban Knights
Urban Knights
The Urban Knights is an all-star smooth jazz band which features one of the jazz greats, pianist Ramsey Lewis. Their first self-titled debut album in 1995 included prominent musicians Grover Washington, Jr., Omar Hakim, Victor Bailey and the Emotions to name a few...
IV- Clubland- Narada ---Writer/Prod
North Avenue - Solutions/Someday - Music101 ---Writer/Prod
MOB - Creepin/Breaks Em Off - PD Waxx ---Engineer
KoS - Take U There - Long Tall Salley ---Writer/Prod
KoS - Summer Nights - Long Tall Salley ---Writer/Prod
Vince Lawrence - The Night is Young - KTM/Tressor ---Writer/Prod
Vince Lawrence - Songs Without a Singer - KTM/Tressor ---Album Prod
Terminal White - The Colorline – White ---Album Prod
Donna Summer
Donna Summer
LaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach...
– What Is It You Want - Atlantic ---Writer/Prod
Richard Rodgers - Bed of Roses – Sam ---Writer/Prod
Bang Orchestra- Rush- Trax ---Writer/Prod
CCP - A Solution – Mute ---Writer/Prod
The Swans - Girl with a Gun – Mute ---Writer/Prod
Bang Orchestra - Sample That – Geffen ---Writer/Prod
Shay Jones – Time To Party – Trax ---Writer/Prod
Shay Jones – Feeling the Need – Trax ---Writer/Prod
Gwendolyn - Come to Me - Precision / Trax ---Writer/Prod
Cath Carroll
Cath Carroll
Cath Carroll is a British musician and music journalist.-Career:Carroll was raised in Swansea, then Manchester. She played guitar in post-punk band Property of... in 1978, which also included former Warsaw drummer Tony Tabac. In 1979 she formed the band Glass Animals with her friend Liz Naylor...
- Too Good To Live ---Writer/Prod
LeNoiz - Wanna Dance – Trax ---Prod
Fresh - Dum Dum – Trax ---Prod
Farley Jackmaster Funk - Love Can’t Turn – Trax ---Writer
Marshall Jefferson
Marshall Jefferson
Marshall Jefferson is an American musician, working in house music, in particular, the subgenres of Chicago house and deep house.-Biography:...
- Move Your Body – Trax ---Engineer/Prod
Virgo/Marshall Jefferson
Marshall Jefferson
Marshall Jefferson is an American musician, working in house music, in particular, the subgenres of Chicago house and deep house.-Biography:...
- VirgoTrax / Go Wild - Other Side ---Prod/Engineer
Dezz7 / 10City - Funny Love – Trax ---Prod
Darryl Pandy - Climax – Brightstar ---Prod
Ron Hardy
Ron Hardy
Ron Hardy was an instrumental DJ in the development of house music. An innovator and originator of the genre, he is highly regarded not only for his iconic performances at the Muzic Box, a Chicago house music club, but for his pioneering edits and mixes of disco, soul music, funk and early house...
- Sensation – Trax ---Writer/Prod
Grant - Dance – Trax ---Prod
Midnight - In a Heartbeat – Jessay ---Writer
The Homeboys – It’s Your Night – Jessay ---Writer
Dr. Derelict - Undercover – Jessay ---Writer
Z Factor – Z Factor – Mitchbal ---Writer/Prod
Jesse Saunders
Jesse Saunders
Jesse Saunders is a DJ, music and film producer, remix artist, promoter and entrepreneur. He is one of the pioneers of House music, often cited as "the originator of House music". His 1984 single, "On & On", co-written with Vince Lawrence, was first record with a house DJ as the artist that was...
– On & On ---Writer
Z Factor – Fast Cars ---Writer/Prod