Larry “Lak” Henderson is the founder of Smart Hip-Hop Global and the creator of Educational Hip-Hop Soul Music, the fusion of deep, historical insights and an authentic Hip Hop sound.
His first album, Lesson One: Hip-Hop & Education, appeared on Amazon bestseller lists, including #1 in Hot New Music and #2 in Educational Music. His second album, Lesson Two: Hip-Hop & Education, features rap legends Talib Kweli and Capone from Capone-N-Noreaga.
The albums feature songs about African and African-American history, politics, geography, money management, and commentary on the social wars raging in our communities.
In 2020, Lak and Capone released an EP called Wolves, which combines street education with African history lessons to offer positive mental “food for thought.” They have also formed a new brand called SmartThug and will continue to release educational Hip-Hop projects together.
Lak’s upcoming release, Black Matters (February 2021), is a compilation of songs from his previous three albums that celebrates African ancestors and highlights the black experience in America.
CBS has called Lak’s music “creative, innovative, and informative.” His music has received airplay on major radio stations around the world, and he has travelled the country inspiring audiences with his unique brand of Hip Hop music. Lak is a social critic, history and religion intellectual, and an innovative education advocate.
He holds degrees in African Studies, Communications, and Labour Studies from Rutgers University and studied studio engineering at the Institute for Audio Research. Lak is currently working on new music, including autobiographies of Paul Robeson, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and Queen Hatshepsut and developing a first-of-its-kind educational Hip-Hop stage play.