Lawrence Arnell

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Lawrence Arnell

| image = Malik Arnell Paz.png

| image_size = 255

| caption = Arnell (center) with Malik B. (left) and Vinnie Paz in 2014

| alias = Larry A
Larry Legend
L. Dorado
Diamondback

| birth_name = Lawrence Arnell Macmillan{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/905110038 |title=BACK UP AGAIN |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=July 10, 2023}}

| birth_date =

| birth_place =

| origin = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| genre = Hip hop

| occupation = Rapper, producer

| years_active = 1995–present

| label = Babygrande

| associated_acts = Army of the Pharaohs
Deadly Snakes
Vinnie Paz
King Syze
OuterSpace
Reef the Lost Cauze
Zilla

| website =

}}

Lawrence Arnell Macmillan is an American rapper and producer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/music|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961222031224/http://www.mtv.com/music/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 22, 1996|title=Music – Music News, New Songs, Videos, Music Shows and Playlists from MTV|author=|date=|website=www.mtv.com|accessdate=12 February 2019}} He first collaborated with hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks on Violent by Design under the name Diamondback in 2000. In 2014, Arnell joined Army of the Pharaohs and appeared on their studio albums In Death Reborn and Heavy Lies the Crown.{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/12/25/new-army-of-the-pharoahes-vinnie-paz-projects-due-2012 |title=Army Of The Pharaohs - In Death Reborn to be released April, 2014 - |publisher=Hip Hop Site |accessdate=2014-03-04 |date=2011-12-25 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054637/http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/12/25/new-army-of-the-pharoahes-vinnie-paz-projects-due-2012/ |archivedate=2013-09-21 }}

Biography

= 1995–2006: Early career =

Arnell started off his career as an MC/singer/songwriter. At 19 years old, he caught the eye of Tommy Boy Records as a member of the hip-hop collective Deadly Snakes. With dates on the Lyricist Lounge Tour, placements on the soundtrack to Jet Li's Black Mask film (1996) and a co-sign from Prince Paul, the Snakes seemed to be on the right track. Soon after, however, the group disbanded, following the release from their deal with Tommy Boy. Arnell fell back and sharpened his skills as an MC as well as a vocalist and songwriter.[http://www.last.fm/music/Lawrence+Arnell/+wiki Last.fm Lawrence Arnell biography] (Accessed: March, 2014)

In 2000, Arnell made a guest appearance on "Blood Reign" from Jedi Mind Tricks's Violent by Design under the name Diamondback.

In 2005, Arnell was featured on the track "Chicken Kitchen Chop-Chop Mix" by Nuthouse on their 12" vinyl Snap Your Neck 2 Dis.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Nuthouse-Snap-Your-Neck-2-Dis-Take-It-2-Da-Stage/release/1543617|title=Nuthouse* - Snap Your Neck 2 Dis / Take It 2 Da Stage|author=|date=|website=Discogs|accessdate=12 February 2019}} This is considered to be his first breakthrough as an underground artist.

= 2007–2011: Breakthrough =

In 2008, Arnell collaborated with King Syze on his second studio album The Labor Union. He was featured on the track "Creep Show".[http://www.discogs.com/King-Syze-The-Labor-Union/release/4308203 The Labour Union - King Syze] (Accessed: March, 2014) Later that year, fellow rap duo OuterSpace announced they were to release their third studio album God's Fury. Arnell was featured on the track "Quick Draw" along with Doap Nixon.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Outerspace-Gods-Fury/release/1524604|title=Outerspace - God's Fury|author=|date=|website=Discogs|accessdate=12 February 2019}} In 2009, Jedi Mind Tricks frontman Vinnie Paz announced that he is working on his debut solo album Season of the Assassin, slated for a 2010 release. Arnell was featured on the track "Ain't Shit Changed".{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Vinnie-Paz-Season-Of-The-Assassin/master/271115|title=Vinnie Paz - Season Of The Assassin|author=|date=|website=Discogs|accessdate=12 February 2019}} In 2010, Arnell featured a single titled "Nothin' Less" and featured JuJu Mob member Reef the Lost Cauze. A music video was released on YouTube on May 25, 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR8q7zMf78Y|title=Lawrence Arnell feat. Reef The Lost Cauze - Nothin' Less|last=OJizzle82|date=25 May 2010|publisher=|accessdate=12 February 2019|via=YouTube}} In 2011, Arnell was featured on Syze's third studio album Collective Bargaining on the track "Rap for Real".[http://www.discogs.com/King-Syze-Collective-Bargaining/release/5379886 Collective Bargaining - King Syze] (Feature from Lawrence Arnell) [Accessed: March, 2014) Underground rap artist Tygastyle released his album Father of the Year which featured the track "Dangerous Living" by Arnell.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Tygastyle-Father-Of-The-Year/release/4592175|title=Tygastyle - Father Of The Year|author=|date=|website=Discogs|accessdate=12 February 2019}} In 2012, Arnell provided vocals on the collaboration album by Pacewon and Mr. Green, The Only Number That Matters Is Won, on the track "Slow".{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Pacewon-Mr-Green-The-Only-Number-That-Matters-Is-Won/master/496011|title=Pacewon & Mr. Green (3) - The Only Number That Matters Is Won|author=|date=|website=Discogs|accessdate=12 February 2019}} Another notable feature of Arnell was in 2012, on the single "Stay True" by rapper Awar. The song was later included on the album Things of That Nature / Nature of The Beast.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Awar-Things-Of-That-Nature-Nature-Of-The-Beast/release/5119505|title=Awar - Things Of That Nature / Nature Of The Beast|author=|date=|website=Discogs|accessdate=12 February 2019}}

= 2013–2014: Other features and Army of the Pharaohs =

Rapper Vinnie Paz released his second EP on October 29, 2013, titled Carry on Tradition.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/carry-on-tradition/1355229483|title=Carry on Tradition by Vinnie Paz|author=|date=|publisher=|access-date=12 February 2019|via=itunes.apple.com}} Arnell was featured on the songs "The Devils Ransom" along with Jarren Benton, and on "In the Middle of Nowhere".{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_GHr15z9pc|title=Vinnie Paz "God Bless"|last=Vinnie Paz|date=17 September 2013|publisher=|accessdate=12 February 2019|via=YouTube}} On November 30, 2013, Paz revealed that two new Army of the Pharaohs albums would be released in 2014. The first album, In Death Reborn, was announced for a release on April 22, 2014, followed by Heavy Lies the Crown in November.[https://twitter.com/ApathyDGZ/status/428615558616334336 Apathy tweets:] AOTP "In Death Reborn". April. Arnell was announced to be featured on the album alongside new Army of the Pharaohs members Blacastan of the Demigodz and Houston-based rapper Zilla. Arnell was also featured on King Syze's fourth studio album Union Terminology on the songs "Union Goons" and "Business Agents", alongside Planetary.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/kingsyzemusic/photos/a.10152098131033006/10152245551898006/?type=3|title=King Syze|author=|date=|website=www.facebook.com|accessdate=12 February 2019}}