To commemorate Black History Month and the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop, we thought it would be best to bring back our notable Making History IG Live series. As a platform dedicated to celebrating the creatives, there is nothing more exciting than when trailblazing artists make their mark on the scene. These talented people are not only creating their own distinct identities but are also having an influential impact on the culture as a whole.
It’s no secret that the hip-hop industry constantly evolves and progresses, with new artists emerging daily. To give recognition to those up-and-coming musicians, we’ve invited four of them to discuss with a notable hip-hop blogger, personality, or industry professional to discuss their take on:
• The state of hip-hop for new artists
• Challenges breaking into the industry
• How they’re making history (building a fan base, breaking generational curses, etc.)
• Words of inspiration for other artists
Live One
Host – Hip Hop Journalist Rea Davis
Guest – LaRussell
Music was an integral part of LaRussell Thomas’s (LaRussell) life from early on, with his parents always having it on around the house. Blending elements of Soul, Funk, Pop, and Rap created the perfect soundscape for him to grow up around. LaRussell describes his sound as a blend of soul, funk, pop, and rap – drawing influences ranging from 2Pac and 50 Cent all the way to Otis Redding and Sam Cook. But some of his biggest influencers were closer to home: his dad.
The music of Get Rich or Die Trying by 50 and Graduation by Ye overhauled the life of a LaRussell. He describes himself and his sound using such words as “Boundless,” “Wide,” and “Ground Covering.” The creative process often begins with the producer playing a beat; once he finds something that resonates with him, he hits record and gets working on producing a song he loves. To truly capture the essence of what he’s creating, it is important for there to be adequate space in the studio – plus water and ‘medicine’ to get into an even more creative head space. He doesn’t intend to propel other artists at the moment, but he hopes that others will see how he works and how he feels inspired by life itself!
When asked about the music industry, LaRussell had strong opinions about the foundation of the industry. He states that everything in the music industry needed overhauling – it was a broken foundation that never really gave artists the fair treatment they deserved. But LaRussell forged ahead even with these challenges, such as not having financial stability or staying positive when life felt discuraging. During the pandemic, he dedicated himself to creating a new platform via a company that allowed them to add another level to their business. Although there were some setbacks in planning for a big year ahead, they could spin it into something new and exciting by building up another level of their company. One of the greatest challenges that LaRussell has faced is staying positive in a world which fails to reflect that, as well as trying to avoid self-sabotage. To combat these conditions and relax, he rides his bike, plays tennis, “medicates,” and hangs out with homies, and you know he’s doing all this in his favorite shoes: Crocs!
At the moment, his day-to-day routine involves pressing new merch, creating music, rehearsing on certain days, editing what he has made, laying the groundwork for the future, and making plans. When asked about his life bucket list, he included performing in Oracle Arena, tapping in with Drake, and living a fulfilling life. Should he have any advice for his younger self, it would be to get down to business without complaint; hard work leads to job security which in turn allows one to take proper care of their family – a straightforward concept! Although his main goal is to be an artist, should he have ever diverted from that journey, his ambition was always geared towards aiding other creatives by pulling strings necessary and helping them. He loves everything about the hip-hop genre, from its poetry all way down to how far it’s come since its inception.
Check out the IG Live below to hear what else LaRussell had to say!
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Written By Parker Hargens
