Lazy Habits

Lazy Habits

Lazy Habits are a London hip-hop and jazz collective. The group begins as the brainchild of one MC and develops into an eight-piece live band built around decks, rhymes, beatboxing, drums, bass and a jazz-based brass section. The members named in the group are Lester Brown and James Collins, and the wider line-up includes DJ Itchi, MC Lazy, Skin Horse and Wandan, described as one of the UK’s leading beatboxers.

Style and live setup

The group combines hip hop with live instrumentation, using a brass section and rhythm section alongside MCs, deck work and beatboxing. Their performances include guest MCs, beatboxers and freestyle sections, and the band moves between tracks in a way that reflects a DJ-led approach while keeping the live ensemble central.

Career and releases

Lazy Habits release their debut Surface Dirt EP through their own label, Run N Jump Records. The limited CD run sells out and the release attracts praise and radio play from Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1. Their 2007 EP (on the) Wagon also gains radio support, including plays on BBC Radio 1, the Steve Lamacq and Ras Kwame shows, Itch FM, Pulse FM, Kerrang Radio and HHB. Tracks from the EP appear on the soundtrack to MTV’s Barrio 19 and D.I.Y. series.

Live appearances

The group performs at London venues including Cargo, Koko and the Jazz Café. They also headline sold-out nights at the Water Rats and the Marquee Club. Across the UK, they share stages with Sway, Akala, The Magic Numbers, Desmond Decker, Soulwax, The Heritage Orchestra and the Foreign Beggars.

Festivals and reception

Lazy Habits play festivals in the UK and Ireland including Glastonbury, Big Chill, Edinburgh Fringe, Electric Picnic, Endorse-It and Secret Garden. Their live show receives strong press response, with comments describing them as a notable live act in UK hip hop and praising the combination of MCs and band.