Lathan Williams began his rapping career in Vallejo, California, and grew to take part in the bay area rap scene that grew up around radio station KMEL, and spawned such artists as E-40, Mac Dre, and the Digital Underground's Shock G and 2Pac, among many others.
Young Lay released his first album in 1996, entitled "Black 'N Dangerous." One of the songs off of the sophomore album, "All About My Fetti," appeared on the soundtrack of the film New Jersey Drive, and became an instant hit.
Several months before the release of his first album, "Black N' Dangerous," Williams was shot at point blank range in the head while sitting in a car. He was comatose for several days, but - remarkably - he survived. Many cited jealousy from street associates as the cause of the shooting, and the shooter was never found.
Then, only a few weeks before the release of the same album, Williams' girlfriend Daphne Boyden was killed in her home, set on fire, and her child with Williams, Le-Zhan, was abducted from the scene. Witnesses said they saw two young women leaving the home with a small bundle in hand. The child was only 25 days old.
Because of a series of personal tragedies and mishaps, Young Lay only recorded one more album, "Unsolved Mysteries," dedicated to his missing son Le-Zhan and the deceased mother of the child.
Lathan Williams was later tried and convicted for armed robbery, and sentenced to 12 years in prison. He was interred at Susanville state prison. He was released from prison in 2010