L.A.B.

Formed in 2016 in Whakatane, New Zealand, L.A.B. is a reggae fusion band founded by Stuart Kora (keyboards, guitar, vocals) and Brad Kora (drums, vocals), formerly of the band Kora, who had released three albums between 2007 and 2012. They recruited Joel Shadbolt (vocals, guitar), Ara Adas-Tamatea (bass), and Miharo Gregory (keyboards) to join the band and began crafting their unique take on reggae music, which also blended funk, blues, rock, and electronica influences into the mix. The band released their self-titled debut album in 2017, reaching number 15 in the New Zealand albums chart. The single “Controller” was a hit, climbing to number 2 on the singles chart. In December 2018, they released their sophomore album L.A.B II, which hit number 12 on the chart. The album included the single “Rocketship,” which was also successful. Their next album, L.A.B. III, was issued in 2019 and hit number 5 on the chart. The single “In the Air” climbed all the way to the top of the singles chart. L.A.B. IV followed in 2020 and was their first number 1 album. L.A.B. IV – which won the Aotearoa Music Award for Album of the Year - featured the hits “Yes I Do” and “Why Oh Why,” which was their second Number 1 single. Their next album, L.A.B. V (2021), was yet another number 1 album and included the hit singles “Mr. Reggae,” “Under the Sun,” and “Real Ones.” Like their previous album, this fifth full length release won the Album of the Year honor at the Aotearoa Music Awards. After spending over two years working on new material, the group returned with L.A.B VI (2024), which featured the tracks “Casanova,” “Ocean Demon,” “Oh No (Pt. 2),” and “Take It Away.”

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