Mona Leshurr: the Art of the MC

LONDON, August 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Lady Leshurr celebrates the launch of new E.P. with London parties

Lady Leshurr will be throwing a launch party in London this summer, in name of her new E.P. 'Mona Leshurr'.

The Birmingham born UK rap artist, who recently performed at The Royal Albert Hall as part of the 'Urban Classic Prom', - described by the BBC as 'a dynamic meeting of musical cultures' - will be holding the guestlist-only event at Westbourne Studios Club, Ladbroke Grove, on August 31^st, and bringing together urban and classical music to create a classic but contemporary sound when she performs tracks from her aptly titled E.P.:

"I called it Mona Leshurr because of Mona Lisa; that's a portrait, a work of art, and this is my first work of art. It's like a masterpiece for me.

When I first started working on it I didn't know it was going to be an E.P…. I just make music in the studio, and whatever happens, happens- but I started to put [the songs] into order, and see that there was a concept.

I love classical music- I've always wanted to include it, so I just thought it was the perfect time to use it in the mix. I can't wait for everyone to hear it, it's probably some of the best work that I've done."

The main launch will be followed by a party for the under 18s on Sunday 1^st September, which is being held at the G-SHOCK East store on Brick Lane in conjunction with the store's re-opening.

The Mona Leshurr E.P. follows Lady Leshurr's release of 'Lego' in 2011, but she's already well established for her mixtapes - most famously, her cover of the Chris Brown/Busta Rhymes collaboration 'Look At Me Now', which picked up 100,000 views in half a day on WorldStarHiphop and led to a performance at Wireless Festival in 2012. Previous to that, she was featured after Plan B at The BBC Introducing stage in 2010, which led to a slot at Glastonbury later that year, and has since supported the likes of Azealia Banks and Young Jeezy.

As an artist, MC/singer and producer, she's vivacious, innovative and, above all, true to herself. Leshurr recently turned down a US contract with Atlantic Records, and it's not the first time she's said 'thanks but no thanks' to some of the big industry players-

" I've turned down every deal you can think of. There was a time, I think it was just after 'Look At Me Now', everybody wanted me, everyone, and every meeting I went to I just wasn't feeling the vibe.

They told me to change my image and style, do pop more, stuff like that - and that's not me, I'm not coming out as that.

I've got a strong following that doesn't know me as that, so to do that I'm going to be losing the loyal supporters that were there from the start. I may be gaining new ones, but to me that's just like selling my soul, because I'm selling to get big."

But with nearly 70k online followers (over 47k on Twitter alone), collaborations with Labrinth, Tinie Tempah, Wiley, and Cory Gunz from YMCMB under her belt, millions of views on YouTube and DJ's such as Tim Westwood, Mista Jam, Target and Cameo behind her, she's not without support… And she's well known for showing her appreciation to those who back her:

 "I see them as a family - I don't ever use the word 'fans', I hate that word. I don't see it as that - I just say 'supporters'. I think it's right that you speak to the people that listen to you."

Alongside the music of Lady Leshurr herself, whose tunes encompass many popular genres such as house, hip hop, dancehall and pop, the Mona Leshurr Launch Party will include special guest DJs, including Manny Norte and DJ KC from Choice FM and Sir DJ Corey from 1Xtra, plus support acts TBA. August. Head to http://www.kabuukidusttickets.co.uk for your entry pass.

For those who haven't quite come of age, http://tinyurl.com/n54ke7v is the place to register for the chance to win a spot at the exclusive under 18s party hosted by G-SHOCK, where Lady Leshurr will be holding a meet and greet session and performing tracks from her new E.P. plus a couple of classics, and DJ Calm Hype will be on the decks keeping the energy high throughout the event. Places are limited, so sign up now to avoid disappointment.

For more information on the artist:  http://www.ladyleshurr.com

Buy tickets @  http://www.kabuukidusttickets.co.uk

Under 18s registration: http://tinyurl.com/n54ke7v

Westbourne Studios Club:  http://www.westbournestudiosclub.com 

G-Shock:  http://www.g-shock.co.uk  @gshockuk

Events in association with Kabuuki Dust Events:  http://www.kabuukidust.com