L.A.B.
OriginWhakatāne, Bay of Plenty, N.Z.
GenresReggae, electronic, blues, rock, funk
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, keyboard, bass
LabelsLoop
Members
  • Brad Kora
  • Stuart Kora
  • Joel Shadbolt
  • Ara Adams-Tamatea
  • Miharo Gregory
Websiteloop.co.nz/artists/lab

L.A.B. is a New Zealand reggae band formed in Whakatāne, Bay of Plenty in 2016.[1] Its founding members are Brad Kora (backing vocals and drums) and Stuart Kora (backing vocals, keyboard and guitar) of the band Kora. They soon engaged Joel Shadbolt on lead vocals and guitar, Ara Adams-Tamatea, formerly of Katchafire, as bassist, and Miharo Gregory as keyboardist.[2] The band mostly composes reggae music, with a mix of electronic, blues, rock and funk music.[3][4][5][6][7]

Their song "In the Air" topped the New Zealand Singles Chart in March 2020.[8] At the end of the year, it was ranked as New Zealand's best-performing single of 2020.[9] It stayed in the top 10 for 73 weeks, longer than any other single, and at 9× platinum is New Zealand's all-time best-selling single. "Why Oh Why" also topped the New Zealand chart in December 2020.[10] By mid-2021, "Why Oh Way" had gained popularity at Island Reggae radio stations across Hawaii.

In July 2020, the band announced their first summer show date for January 2021 with The Black Seeds, Mako Road, Bailey Wiley and Anna Coddington in support.[11]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
NZ
[12] 		AUS
[13]
L.A.B. 8 —
L.A.B. II
  • Released: 21 December 2018
  • Label: Loop Recordings
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 12 —
L.A.B. III
  • Released: 6 December 2019
  • Label: Loop Recordings
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 5 —
  • RMNZ: 4× Platinum[16]
L.A.B. IV
  • Released: 18 December 2020
  • Label: Loop Recordings
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 1 49
  • RMNZ: 3× Platinum[17]
L.A.B. V
  • Released: 17 December 2021
  • Label: Loop Recordings
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 1 —[A]
L.A.B. VI
  • To be released: 23 February 2024[20][21]
  • Label: Loop Recordings
 To be released

Compilation albums

List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
NZ
[12]
Introducing L.A.B.
  • Released: 13 October 2023
  • Label: Loop Recordings
  • Formats: LP, digital download, streaming
 1
[22]

Remix albums

List of remix albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
NZ
[12]
L.A.B in Dub
(with Paolo Baldini DubFiles)
  • Released: 21 October 2022
  • Label: Loop Recordings
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 25

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
NZ
[12]
"Jimmy Boy" 2017 — L.A.B.
"Starry Eyes" —
"Ain't No Use" —
"Umulash" —
"Controller" 2018 3
  • RMNZ: 8× Platinum[23]
"Midnight Summer" —[B] L.A.B. II
"Free Fall in a Dream" —[C]
"Baby Will You Let Me"[26] 2019 —
"Personify" —[D] L.A.B. III
"In the Air" 1
"My Brother" 2020 35 L.A.B. IV
"Why Oh Why" 1
  • RMNZ: 5× Platinum[30]
"Yes I Do" 2021 13
  • RMNZ: 2× Platinum[31]
"Mr Reggae" 3
  • RMNZ: 3× Platinum[32]
 L.A.B. V
"Under the Sun" 12
"Real Ones"[34]
(with Kings) 		2022 —[E]
"Take It Away" 13 L.A.B. VI
"Casanova" 2023 30
[37]
"Oh No (Pt. 2)"[38] —[F]
"Ocean Demon"[40] 2024 —[G]

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
NZ
[12]
"Rocketship" 2018 —[H] L.A.B. II
"Fashion Dread" —[I]
"Hands Up" —[J]
"I Don't Wanna Know" —[K]
"For the Love of Jane" 2019 —[L] L.A.B. III
"Shadows" —[M]
"Running" —[N]
"Shoot on You" —[O]
"Natural" 2020 5 L.A.B. IV
"No Roots" 6
"Boy King" —[P]
"Can You Be the One" 2021 —[Q] L.A.B. V
"Oh Honey" —[R]

Notes

  1. ^ L.A.B. V did not enter the ARIA Albums Chart, but peaked at number eight on the ARIA Digital Albums Chart.[18]
  2. ^ "Midnight Summer" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 23 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[24]
  3. ^ "Free Fall in a Dream" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 15 on the NZ Artist Hot Singles Chart.[25]
  4. ^ "Personify" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 18 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[27]
  5. ^ "Real Ones" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 11 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[35]
  6. ^ "Oh No (Pt. 2)" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number one on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[39]
  7. ^ "Ocean Demon" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number four on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[41]
  8. ^ "Rocketship" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 14 on the NZ Artist Top 20.[42]
  9. ^ "Fashion Dread" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 23 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[44]
  10. ^ "Hands Up" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 32 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[44]
  11. ^ "I Don't Wanna Know" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 33 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[44]
  12. ^ "For the Love of Jane" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 15 on the NZ Artist Top 20.[45]
  13. ^ "Shadows" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 12 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[47]
  14. ^ "Running" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 16 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[47]
  15. ^ "Shoot on You" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 12 on the NZ Artist Hot Singles Chart.[48]
  16. ^ "Boy King" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number four on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[49]
  17. ^ "Can You Be the One" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number eight on the NZ Artist Top 20.[50]
  18. ^ "Oh Honey" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 10 on the NZ Artist Top 20.[50]

References

  1. ^ "L.A.B". L.A.B. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  2. ^ "L.A.B". Loop Recordings Aotearoa.
  3. ^ Drever, Andrew (5 December 2019). "New Zealand's L.A.B. keen to keep experimenting". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Nelson has bumper summer entertainment season". Stuff. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  5. ^ "L.A.B." www.muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  6. ^ Kristin Macfarlane (15 March 2018). "When creatives connect on all levels, L.A.B magic is made". NZ Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  7. ^ "L.A.B – The New Kings of Kiwi Reggae". Critic - Te Arohi. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  8. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  9. ^ "End of Year Charts 2020". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  10. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 14 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  11. ^ "L.A.B. to play 'one-off special show' in Taranaki". Stuff. 6 July 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Discography L.A.B." charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Discography L.A.B." australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  14. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – L.A.B. – L.A.B." Recorded Music NZ. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  15. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – L.A.B. – L.A.B. II". Recorded Music NZ. 5 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  16. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – L.A.B. – L.A.B. III". Recorded Music NZ. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  17. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – L.A.B. – L.A.B. IV". Recorded Music NZ. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  18. ^ "ARIA Digital Albums - Week Commencing 27th December 2021". The ARIA Report. No. 1660. Australian Recording Industry Association. 27 December 2021. p. 10.
  19. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – L.A.B. – L.A.B. V". Recorded Music NZ. 22 August 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  20. ^ Tame, Jack (23 September 2023). ""It's a buzz": L.A.B vocalist on their new single 'Casanova'". Newstalk ZB. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  21. ^ Dimitrof, Stefan (10 November 2022). "L.A.B make history after award win repeat". teaomaori.news. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  22. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  23. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – L.A.B. – Controller". Recorded Music NZ. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  24. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  25. ^ "Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 24 December 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  26. ^ "L.A.B. Drop Video for Baby Will You Let Me". Loop. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  27. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  28. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – L.A.B. – In the Air". Recorded Music NZ. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  29. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  30. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – L.A.B. – Why Oh Why". Recorded Music NZ. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  31. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – L.A.B. – Yes I Do". Recorded Music NZ. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  32. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – L.A.B. – Mr Reggae". Recorded Music NZ. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  33. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – L.A.B. – Under the Sun". Recorded Music NZ. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  34. ^ "L.A.B & Kings Release 'Real Ones' w/ Remix From QUIX". muzic.net.nz. 1 April 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  35. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  36. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – L.A.B. – Take It Away". Recorded Music NZ. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  37. ^ "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  38. ^ "L.A.B Release Funky Single, 'Oh No (Pt. 2)', From Upcoming New Album". New Zealand Music Commission. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  39. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 25 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  40. ^ "L.A.B Announce New Album, Share New Single 'Ocean Demon'". Rolling Stone. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  41. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  42. ^ "Top 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  43. ^ "Top 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  44. ^ a b c "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  45. ^ "Top 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  46. ^ "Top 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  47. ^ a b "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  48. ^ "Hot 20 NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  49. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 28 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  50. ^ a b "Top 20 NZ Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 27 December 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2022.


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