Pretty, petite, witty, classy, charming, sassy and street smart are words often used to describe Laci. “But cocky is something I’m not,” states the soft-spoken 18-year-old MC. “I’m just confident in my abilities. What’s wrong with that?” The 5-foot-4, East Harlem bombshell, bearing a smooth caramel skin tone, and a penchant for high-end fashion, not only raps with conviction, but sings, dances, acts, and models as well. Possessed with a natural gift for writing and rhyming, for quite sometime, Laci never took her astonishing gift seriously—until recently. “I really used to just write to myself,” she says about the hobby she picked up at age 16. “It was a way to get things off of my chest when I was home alone and didn’t have anyone to talk to. I’m getting pushed to rap now it. So I’m pushing myself as I’m getting pushed by others.”
Earlier this winter at a N.Y.C. night club venue, Big Cuzin Entertainment C.E.O. Ray Bosco bumped into Laci’s mom. When the two long-time friends began conversing, Bosco shared his latest entertainment venture with her. In turn, she placed her cell phone in Bosco’s hands. On the Blackberry screen were several Rhymes that Laci wrote and stored in the device. Intrigued by what he read, the next day, Bosco met with Laci, and instantaneously Big Cuzin Ent.’s first lady was born. “I knew Laci since she was a little girl and I hadn’t seen her in years,” says Bosco. “It was mind-blowing for me to witness the transition she made into the beautiful and talented young lady that she is.” Bosco also admitted that the contrast between her “girl next door” image and spontaneous lyrical delivery played a major factor in sealing the deal.
Although Laci’s maintained a long-time friendship with other talented Harlem-bred young female entertainers, such as Star Trek Ent.’s first lady, Teyana Taylor, Lil’ Mama and Young B, she credits several male figures as her musical and life-long influences. “I learned a lot watching my older brother,” she says. “He gets a lot of respect in the street. I see how he’s been operating throughout the years and I admire him.” Hanging in the studio with the hip-hop group Square Off (compromised of the sons of “The Greatest Entertainer of All Time” Dougie Fresh) also helped Laci hone her lyrical craft.
“When I do what I do, I always keep in mind that you never get a second chance to make a good first impression,” she says in an effortless tone. “So, when you see me doing my thing, you’ll know that it’s really not a game. I have an obsession for perfection. Anyone who knows me will tell you the same thing. Plus, it just shows in everything I do.”
