Laurence Subelka, known professionally as Mista CP, was born in 1984 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Kansas. He spent his early childhood in the Oakland area of Topeka, Kansas, raised by a single mother after his father left the family before his birth. As Subelka grew older and witnessed the rise of drugs and gang violence in Topeka, his mother chose to relocate outside the city limits to provide a safer environment throughout his childhood and high school years.
In 1996, three boys from Topeka moved in next door to Subelka. These boys, slightly older than him, carried a different attitude than most of their peers at school. Subelka found a sense of belonging with them, as they represented nearly the entire minority population in their school. They reconnected him with his Topeka roots and introduced him to rap music, with artists like Tupac, Eazy-E, and Outkast becoming influential figures in his life. With the support of his new friends and his burgeoning passion for rap, Mista CP began to emerge.
In 1997, Subelka decided to pursue a career as a rap artist and began writing lyrics. He asked his mother to purchase a karaoke machine, which he used to secretly record his songs on tapes to share with friends. One day, while going through his belongings, his mother discovered the tapes and notebooks filled with lyrics. Although she encouraged his interest in music, she found the content inappropriate for a 13-year-old and insisted that he revise his lyrics to be age-appropriate.
Throughout high school, Subelka continued to write but only performed for a select group of friends, never taking his talent to a public stage. He recorded on his karaoke machine for personal enjoyment. As he grew older and obtained a car, he spent significant time in Topeka, reconnecting with the city he considered home.
In addition to his musical pursuits, Subelka was a standout athlete in high school, garnering multiple offers to play sports at the collegiate level. Ultimately, he chose to play football in college, aiming for a future in the NFL. College life helped Subelka come out of his shell, and his football success led to newfound popularity, allowing him to meet many aspiring artists eager to collaborate. This marked a significant step in the evolution of Mista CP, transitioning from writing lyrics to recording them professionally.
In 2004, Mista CP released his debut album, the EP titled MISTA CP 'The Golden Child', which sold over 500 copies in its first three months and featured the hit song "This Thang Baby." The EP garnered recognition in his college and throughout Northeast Kansas. Following this success, Subelka found a wealth of artists seeking features for his second solo project, an 18-track LP titled The Underground King, released in 2006.
In 2007, Subelka transferred colleges and collaborated with future label mate K. Curtis to produce the EP THE LIVIN LEGENDZ '1st Print', which quickly gained traction on campus. This success facilitated the discovery of new talent, leading to the release of Subelka's third solo album, The Third III, in 2008.
By 2010, CP had signed with Central Playa Music, becoming the featured artist on the label’s first three projects. The first was a group mixtape titled THE CENTRAL PLAYAS 'Street Credit' (2011), which included contributions from fellow label mates M.O.S. and K. Curtis. This was followed by Mista CP's official studio album, Still Golden (2012), known for its clever storytelling and intricate rhyme schemes. In 2015, he released his sophomore studio album, NO SECURITY NEEDED LP, featuring artists Skatterman & Snug Brim and BG Bulletwound, all formerly associated with Tech N9ne's Strange Music Inc.
In 2021, Mista CP announced that it would be his final year producing albums. Shortly after, he released his third studio album, YEAR OF THE PLAYA, which combined elements of arrogance, aggression, and sincerity, featuring collaborations with Mayday! (Wrekonize & Bernz), Krizz Kaliko of Strange Music, and various Midwest legends, including Irv Da PHENOM, Burnablocc, and Rob Rebeck. The album also showcased productions from Matthew Steinfeld (MC Stein), Rob Rebeck, and others.
Currently, Mista CP is working on his final album, CLASSIC PLAYA, which will feature collaborations with Jarren Benton, Wrekonize, Alan Wayne the Prodagy, and BizzWho, along with familiar faces from Central Playa Music such as K. Curtis, M.O.S., 5 Star, and Kitoku Mae.
