LaRussell


LaRussell Dwayne Thomas, known mononymously as LaRussell, is an American rapper. Based in Vallejo, California, he is a frequent collaborator of Bay Area musicians; he also hosts concerts at The Pergola, his own venue in his backyard.

Early life

LaRussell Dwayne Thomas was born on October 6, 1994, in Vallejo, California. He started rapping in the second grade. He never struggled in school, but did not want to attend, leading to him eventually ending up at People's Continuation High School. His father was his main inspiration in creating music.

Career

LaRussell fathered a child, a girl, right after he left high school, so he left his musical endeavors to pursue a more supportive and stable job, eventually obtaining a high-income job in aerospace manufacturing in 2012 after graduating from Grand Canyon University. However, he became demotivated to do his job because he was not able to chase his passion. LaRussell eventually released his first album, The Field Effect, in 2018. After releasing more music, he decided to throw a headlining show at the Empress Theatre to take a risk, and it was successful.
LaRussell began to save money for music, and his father and friends invested their money in him. Eventually, in 2019, he decided to quit his job and start an arts company, Good Compenny, with his friends. He originally went under the name of Tota Shakur, but after releasing Silence Won't Save You in 2020, a more personal album with his life story, he felt that he should represent more of himself in his name.
In 2021, he appeared on The Breakfast Club. He also decided to share parts of his catalog as royalties. In 2025, he performed at the halftime show of the 2025 NBA All-Star Game.

Personal life

LaRussell has one child, a girl. He is also a vegan and frequently talks about police injustice in his music. He enjoys playing chess, as well as basketball, pickleball, and tennis.

Influences and artistry

LaRussell names Lil Wayne, E-40, Eminem, Mac Dre, and Nipsey Hussle as large inspirations. His top artists are Tupac Shakur, Drake, Jay-Z, André 3000, J. Cole, and Kanye West. LaRussell says that his music is genre-bending and mixes many elements together.
Starting in 2022, after a disgruntling experience with a venue, LaRussell holds many of his performances in his own venue, the Pergola in his home backyard. The stage was designed with assistance from Christian Alberto, a local artist.

Philanthropy

In 2022, he temporarily bought out the restaurant Momo's Cafe in Vallejo and offered a pay-what-you-want menu for the remainder of the year.

Discography

Studio albums

  • The Field Effect
  • Never Forget Who You Are
  • Love Phi Love
  • The North Star
  • Silence Won't Save You
  • The Field Effect 2
  • Marlin 7
  • Cook Together, Eat Together
  • It'll All Make Sense When It's Done
  • I'm About to Fly
  • 8Lbs 2Oz
  • Zaps & Alpines
  • For What It's Worth
  • Days Like This
  • Champagne Gummies
  • 96' Bulls
  • I Hate When Life's Going Great
  • 8 Hours in Brooklyn
  • Omaha
  • Dragonfly
  • Clarity
  • How Much Does a Piece of Mind Cost
  • Hustlenomics
  • It's Different
  • Family Business
  • Motion
  • DJ Gutta Butta Presents: 3 Point Play
  • Live From the 206
  • Majorly Independent
  • Velour
  • From Vallejo With Love
  • Rent Paid
  • Party on the Westside
  • Be Home Before the Street Lights Come On
  • Black Boy Fly
  • Make Hip-Hop Fun Again!
  • Sobriety
  • ''Good Ethica''

    Extended plays

  • GCU: 1st Semester
  • GCU: 2nd Semester
  • 26.2
  • ''Rent Due''