"On December 8th, 2024, I was able to get a brief interview with LaRussell outside of the venue." -- Isaiah Kahn, 9th grade
On December 8th, 2024, after Kamaiyah and LaRussell’s show at the New Parish, I was able to get a brief interview with LaRussell outside of the venue. We had talked about doing something the previous time seeing him in Santa Cruz, and it came together suddenly at the very next show. We talked for a few minutes in between his other fan interactions, and this is what came of it.
Isaiah: What inspired your style of performing?
LaRussell: Everything around me. You are everything you consume and consumption happens through your mouth through your mouth, through your ears, through your skin, through your heart, through your mind, and so as you’ve grown up everything that you consume? That’s what makes you.
Isaiah: Towards the beginning of your career, your music sounded close to boom-bap type stuff. Later, it started sounding more distinctly bay area. Was that a conscious change?
LaRussell: I think it was consciously unconscious. I didn’t do it intentionally, but I was positioning myself for it to exist. Like, I started working with Link Up as well as Tope and as well as a Skeyez as well as a, y’know, a Mike G. Just as I was moving in my path, y’know, there’s different things along your journey, and every time I just never said no. I was open to everything, so if a slap came my way, I’ma make a slap today. If some life shit comes, I’ma make this today. If some boom bap comes, I’ma make that today, you feel me? I was just open to everything, so it wasn’t like conscious or intentional, I just didn’t push it away.
Isaiah: What’s the coolest reaction you’ve received from a fan or a crowd and how did it impact you?
LaRussell: This is. Yup, I seen your dad, your pops outside, and he was like, “man, my son really wants an interview,” and I was like, “okay, I’m doing New Parish, if he gets the opportunity, if he’s prepared, let’s do it!” And now we’re doing it.
Isaiah: What’s it like working with both older and younger artists at Good Compenny and how have you used that to your advantage?
LaRussell: It’s such a beautiful experience. As a kid, you can seldom get your parents to play the same games your cousins play with you. Y’know, with your cousins, you’re like this [pops collar, dances] and with your parents, you’re like this [puts hands in praying position, laughs]. You’re a different person. I’ve bridged the gap to where it’s my parents and my cousins, y’know? It’s like we’re all in the living room giggin’ together versus playing separate games in separate rooms. So for me it’s a really special thing ‘cause I love to see adults be children still.
Isaiah: What do you envision for the future of Good Compenny?
LaRussell: Again I’m open. Whatever it becomes through the work that we’re doing, through y’all showing up and through me showing up and doing what I need to do? I’m open to that.
Isaiah: What inspired your style of performing?
LaRussell: Everything around me. You are everything you consume and consumption happens through your mouth through your mouth, through your ears, through your skin, through your heart, through your mind, and so as you’ve grown up everything that you consume? That’s what makes you.
Isaiah: Towards the beginning of your career, your music sounded close to boom-bap type stuff. Later, it started sounding more distinctly bay area. Was that a conscious change?
LaRussell: I think it was consciously unconscious. I didn’t do it intentionally, but I was positioning myself for it to exist. Like, I started working with Link Up as well as Tope and as well as a Skeyez as well as a, y’know, a Mike G. Just as I was moving in my path, y’know, there’s different things along your journey, and every time I just never said no. I was open to everything, so if a slap came my way, I’ma make a slap today. If some life shit comes, I’ma make this today. If some boom bap comes, I’ma make that today, you feel me? I was just open to everything, so it wasn’t like conscious or intentional, I just didn’t push it away.
Isaiah: What’s the coolest reaction you’ve received from a fan or a crowd and how did it impact you?
LaRussell: This is. Yup, I seen your dad, your pops outside, and he was like, “man, my son really wants an interview,” and I was like, “okay, I’m doing New Parish, if he gets the opportunity, if he’s prepared, let’s do it!” And now we’re doing it.
Isaiah: What’s it like working with both older and younger artists at Good Compenny and how have you used that to your advantage?
LaRussell: It’s such a beautiful experience. As a kid, you can seldom get your parents to play the same games your cousins play with you. Y’know, with your cousins, you’re like this [pops collar, dances] and with your parents, you’re like this [puts hands in praying position, laughs]. You’re a different person. I’ve bridged the gap to where it’s my parents and my cousins, y’know? It’s like we’re all in the living room giggin’ together versus playing separate games in separate rooms. So for me it’s a really special thing ‘cause I love to see adults be children still.
Isaiah: What do you envision for the future of Good Compenny?
LaRussell: Again I’m open. Whatever it becomes through the work that we’re doing, through y’all showing up and through me showing up and doing what I need to do? I’m open to that.
