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Comment: To the submitter: it looks like you have been trying to create headings and sections by using hash tags. Please go through the draft and fix this – the Manual of Style describes how. bonadea contributions talk 07:57, 8 April 2025 (UTC)
Configa
[edit]Configa (born Andrew Laidlaw) is a British hip hop producer, academic, and recording artist. He has collaborated with artists including Arrested Development, Chuck D, Big Daddy Kane, and Tim Burgess.[1]
Early life
[edit]Andrew Laidlaw was born in the Tyneside region of North East England, United Kingdom. He developed an interest in hip hop after being introduced to music from the Native Tongues collective.[2]
Career
[edit]2000–2007
[edit]Laidlaw began his music career in 2000, releasing material under various names before focusing on production work.[3] In 2001, his work appeared on compilations by Los Angeles-based label Rap Junkie Records.[4]
By 2003, Laidlaw had shifted his focus to production. He formed the group Slept On Fam with Wargasms, Arsenal, and C-Gully in 2004, releasing the album "Audio Crack" in 2006.[5]
2008–2018
[edit]Laidlaw completed a PhD with a thesis titled "Blackness in The Absence of Blackness: White Appropriations of Rap Music and Hip-Hop Culture in Newcastle Upon Tyne - Explaining a Cultural Shift" at Loughborough University.[6]
In 2010, Laidlaw returned to music production with a 2Pac remix album and founded his label, Configaration Records.[7] He collaborated with UK artists including Scorzayzee during this period.
In 2016, Laidlaw signed with Chuck D's SLAMjamz Records while continuing to operate Configaration Records. His 2017 release "Configaration, Vol.1" featured contributions from Chuck D, Craig G, and Spoonie Gee.[8]
2019–2021
[edit]In 2019, Laidlaw collaborated with Public Enemy affiliate Jahi on "Forward Future", released in March 2020.[9]
In 2020, Laidlaw produced a remix for Tim Burgess of The Charlatans. He also co-produced Arrested Development's album "Don't Fight Your Demons" after being approached by Speech, the group's frontman.[10]
In 2021, Laidlaw co-produced Arrested Development's "For the FKN Love" album and released "The Year After". The music publication B-Boy Document named him 'Producer of the Year' for 2021.[11]
2022–present
[edit]In 2022, Laidlaw's production on Arrested Development's "Vibe" (featuring Big Daddy Kane) reached number one on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation charts.
January 2024 saw the release of "Bullets In The Chamber", Laidlaw's third collaborative album with Arrested Development. This project included "Hip Hop Saves Lives", featuring Chuck D and Grandmaster Caz.[12]
In 2024, Laidlaw released "Jolicoeur" with UK hip hop producer and academic Tommy Evans.
Production style
[edit]Laidlaw's production incorporates elements of funk, disco, and jazz fusion, with structured drum patterns and layered samples.[5] His work often features collaborations between UK and US hip hop artists.[2]
Media recognition
[edit]Laidlaw's work has been featured in publications including People Magazine[13] and on BBC Radio programs including BBC Radio 2's "The Romesh Ranganathan Show"[14] and BBC 6 Music's "Huey Morgan Show".
Hip Hop Golden Age included his production work on "The Year After" in their "Best 25 UK Hip-Hop Albums of 2021" list.[15]
Selected discography
[edit]Studio work
[edit]- "Configaration, Vol.1" (2017)[8]
- "Forward Future" (with Jahi) (2020)[9]
- "The Year After" (with DJ Views) (2021)[15]
- "Jolicoeur" (with Tommy Evans) (2024)
Production for other artists
[edit]- Arrested Development - "Don't Fight Your Demons" (2020)[10]
- Tim Burgess - "Yours. To Be (Configa Remix)" (2020)
- Arrested Development - "For the FKN Love" (2021)
- Arrested Development - "Bullets In The Chamber" (2024)[12]
References
[edit]- ^ Janicke, Rob. "Brains, Beats, and Bars. My Interview with Configa." The Riff. https://theriffmagazine.com/interviews/brains-beats-and-bars-interview-configa/
- ^ a b We Ear Hustling Baby Podcast. "Interview with Configa." 17 April 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=search_query=we+ear+hustling+baby+configa
- ^ AllMusic. "Baptizm of Fire | Release Info." https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/baptizm-of-fire-mr0001853456
- ^ "Best of the Best Independent New Releases." Murder Dog Magazine, October 2001.
- ^ a b Tomer, Matt. "Review of Audio Crack." Rap Reviews.
- ^ Laidlaw, A. "Blackness in The Absence of Blackness: White Appropriations of Rap Music and Hip-Hop Culture in Newcastle Upon Tyne - Explaining a Cultural Shift." Loughborough University Repository, 2011. https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/thesis/Blackness_in_the_absence_of_blackness_white_appropriations_of_Rap_Music_and_Hip-Hop_Culture_in_Newcastle_upon_Tyne_-_explaining_a_cultural_shift/9480077
- ^ RapReviews. "Configa:: Pac to the Essence Volume 1." https://www.rapreviews.com/2010/10/configa-pac-to-the-essence-volume-1/
- ^ a b "Configa -- Configaration Volume 1 LP [SLAMJamz Records]." Britishhiphop.co.uk. https://www.britishhiphop.co.uk/reviews/album_reviews/configa-configaration-volume-1-lp-slamjamz-records.html
- ^ a b GQ Magazine. "Albums to Blow Your Mind feature with Chuck D." 2020.
- ^ a b HHGA Staff. "Arrested Development -- Don't Fight Your Demons | Review." Hip Hop Golden Age, 26 September 2020. https://hiphopgoldenage.com/arrested-development-dont-fight-your-demons/
- ^ B-Boy Document. "Producer of the Year: Configa." Issue 29, April 2022.
- ^ a b Mr. Throwback Thursday. "Hip Hop Record of the Year 2024: Bullets in the Chamber by Arrested Development." Video, 16 January 2025. https://youtube/0XaEQo_N1NQ
- ^ Perlman, Michael. "Rapper Chino XL Dead at Age 50: 'He Was a Friend to Many,' Says Public Enemy's Chuck D." People, 5 March 2024. https://people.com/rapper-chino-xl-dead-at-age-50-8685965
- ^ BBC Programs. "The Romesh Ranganathan Show." BBC Radio 2, 12 August 2023. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001p6fv
- ^ a b Hip Hop Golden Age. "Best 25 UK Hip-Hop Albums of 2021." December 2021. https://hiphopgoldenage.com/list/best-25-uk-hip-hop-albums-of-2021/