Born LaRussell Dwayne Thomas, LaRussell has frequently taken calculated risks throughout his career, at times even skirting controversy. A Vallejo, California native, he regularly hosts concerts in his backyard and performed a headlining show at the Empress Theatre—mere months after releasing his debut album.
Few artists would have taken such bold steps so early in their careers, but LaRussell was never one to back down from a challenge. Despite a promising career in the aerospace manufacturing industry, he opted to pursue his passion for music, inspired mainly by his musician father.
A Promising Beginning
Taking on the name “Tota Shakur”, LaRussell released his first album, The Field Effect, in 2018. A string of well-received releases quickly followed, which prompted him to headline a show at the Empress Theatre—an almost-unheard-of undertaking for a new and upcoming artist.
The risk paid off. The event was a huge success, amply demonstrating LaRussell’s rapidly developing talents, strong sense of community, and his innate ability to captivate a live audience.
Going All-In
In 2019, LaRussell turned his back on the aerospace industry for good, devoting himself solely to music. With help from his father and a few supportive investors, he founded the arts organization Good Compenny, and released Silence Won’t Save You in 2020.
What sets LaRussell apart from many of his peers is his strong community spirit. He frequently collaborates with local Bay Area talents, and with the help of some close friends, built the live performance venue, The Pergola, right in his backyard. The venue allows him to maintain an active connection with the community, which he so cherishes, with intimate performances that feel more like family get-togethers than slick, big-budget productions.
Even so, LaRussell was clearly destined for bigger stages. He performed at the halftime show of the NBA All-Star Game in 2025 and at the Super Bowl LX Tailgate Party in 2026. Just a few days prior to his Super Bowl appearance, he signed a record deal with Roc Nation.
Unstoppable Climb
LaRussell set his sights on even bigger things with the 2026 release, Something’s in the Water. He made no secret of his goal of selling 100,000 copies of the album in one month. Only 24 hours after it was released, the album had already earned $57,000 from over 2,600 contributors, among them Kyrie Irving, Snoop Dogg, and Cedric the Entertainer.
True to his controversial nature, LaRussell released a video of Heaven Sent in March, 2026. One of the most intriguing tracks on his recently released Father God, Guide Me album, the song name-checked such divisive figures as Donald Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, and Adolf Hitler.
The backlash was quick to come, but LaRussell remained largely unfazed. In response, he took to social media to decry “the selective outrage and fake righteousness” of its critics, stating that they “misunderstood its premise”. His family and the Vallejo community also showed their support, holding a rally that defended his right to free speech and highlighting his considerable philanthropic contributions to local youth initiatives.
LaRussell Spreads His Wings
In June 2026, LaRussell appeared on America’s Got Talent, where he was joined by a group of Bay Area dancers, musicians, and young talents. The stunningly vibrant performance drew four “Yeses” from the judges and showcased LaRussell’s readiness for the international stage.
In the months following the Heaven Sent video controversy, streams of LaRussell’s music grew from roughly 380,000 to over 900,000 per month. Whether this was despite the negative press or because of it, it emphasized LaRussell’s ability to withstand challenges that would break lesser artists.
These days, LaRussell is focused on his headlining tour, “Let’s See Who’ll Be Around When It’s 2026”. The tour’s title references a 2021 freestyle performance in which he claimed he would be the last artist standing in 2026. After a number of well-received shows in Portland and Seattle, the tour is headed to Southern California.
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