The Life & Times Of LaRussell

Let’s hop right into this single, “Yoohoo!” — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?

Lol! “Yoohoo” actually began as an inside joke with the homies about white publications and platforms seeking black talent during Black History Month for their social campaigns, and then never hearing from them again after February, haha!

“Yoohoo!” follows on the heels of “Test Ya Nuts,” feat. Sada Baby — Talk to me a lil bit about this previously released entry…

“Test Ya Nuts!” This is one of my favorites. Man, just inspired by The Bay. I locked in with producers DTB and Ekzakt and started to recreate, as well as create new sounds that Bay Area culture is known for. Sada Baby verse was a cherry on top! I tapped in with him, and he sent the verse back while I was in Houston, Texas, and the whole car started going crazy! It was a moment.

Both songs come courtesy of your just unleashed new studio opus, HUSTLENOMICS — Conceptually, what does this title represent both to and for you?

HUSTLENOMICS represents my life and career. I’ve been a hustler my entire life. Since a child, I’ve sold beats, CDs, T-Shirts, candy, Swishers, etcetera, Lol! Virtually everything. I’ve watched my Pops hustle my whole life. My neighbors. My family members. HUSTLENOMICS is the art of hustling…which we in The Bay know very well.

How then does HUSTLENOMICS either differ and / or compare to previous LaRussell efforts?

It doesn’t compare at all. It’s different, and should be respected and received as such. There’s no need to compare your apples and oranges. Just eat them. HUSTLENOMICS is just another puzzle piece to the life and times of LaRussell.

HUSTLENOMICS is a Good Compenny project — What are your future plans and / or goals for the imprint? And who all else, besides yourself of course, currently makes up its artist roster?

We’re just building. Every day. That’s our future plan. Do great work today, and tomorrow you’ll have an opportunity to do more. Good Compenny is more of a community and way of living than an imprint. There is no artist roster. Just a bunch of homies who all do they’re own thing, and help one another when possible. The list would be too long to name, but a few that we’ve accommodated along their journey would be Tessie, Shante, Poo$ie, Jane Handcock, Katana, HeyKujo, Mali, Truleigh, Emma Gerson, and a boat load of artists from The Bay Area.

As an emcee, when you sit down to pen your rhymes where do you draw your inspiration from?

Life. Life is my inspiration. Whatever is going on around and inside of me.

Now you’re a native of Vallejo, CA, correct? And growing up in ‘Valley Joe,’ who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

2pac, E-40, 50 Cent, Kanye West, Drake, J. Cole, Andre 3000, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Mac Dre.

Having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?

IT’S DIFFERENT!

Photo by William Cooper & Jason Hayes

Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?

Nothing. I don’t have any wants for other people. If they’re listening, then I won. Whatever they get from it, has nothing to do with me and all to do with them.

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

2Pac. Self-explanatory, hahaha!

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

Oakland Arena. It’s just a staple venue at home. All the greats have played it. I seen one of my first real concerts as an adult there, and I just have to do it myself.

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?

I’m neither happy or unhappy with it, Lol! I reserve my happiness for the things that matter.

What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?

Great Music, Great Performances and a Great Heart!

Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

Yeah, I want to play Pro-Tennis or Pickleball.

To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

Probably doing the first Breakfast Club freestyle. It was a beautiful moment in Hip Hop and in my career. And I got to share it with my dawg, Hovain.

What’s an average day like for you?

Wake up. Tennis or Pickleball. Drop my daughter off to school or summer camp. Smoothie. Rehearsal. Studio or admin work. Chess. Hoop or bike ride. Smoke weed. Sleep.

Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…

Man, I give hugs. I give gems. I give hope. Shit, whatever I can give when I can. It’s a very human interaction with me.

What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?

My favorite part is doing something I love every day. My least favorite part is opinions on the internet of my life.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

DO THE WORK! Every day. 10,000 shots.

Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?

Retired. Hopefully at peace and retired. Living well, and taking care of family.

As for the immediate, what’s next for LaRussell?

HUSTLENOMICS!

Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?

You would know better than me, hahaha!