Hip-hop artist and rapper, LaRussell, flipped his childhood backyard into a concert venue nearly two years ago, giving his fans and Vallejo natives an intimate concert experience.
LaRussell was inspired to establish his Backyard Residency in 2022 after he had a negative experience with a venue manager. He decided that he needed his own venue space where he would be able to have total control and freedom, deciding exactly when he would be able to perform.
LaRussell Backyard Residency
He designed the backyard in his Vallejo childhood home, and then had a team come in and transform it into, what he now calls, The Pergola, a place where artists, including LaRussell himself, can showcase their music and talent in an intimate setting.
LaRussell and his team offer tickets for these backyard concerts through a ‘pay what you want’ business model, where the tickets are offer-based. Anyone who wants to attend a concert can offer to pay what they think the experience is worth. While some offers are not accepted, this model was implemented at hopes of reaching more people who don’t have as much to spend, which is something he could relate to heavily in the past.
It’s more clear than ever that LaRussell is not only establishing his independence as an artist and as a businessman, but also changing the music scene as a whole, with one backyard concert after another. Let’s just say LaRussell is in his own league.
Dedication to Home and Family
A few years back in 2021, LaRussell did a one-deal album with artist Russ and was offered to perform as an opener for Russ’s tour. He tells DJ and radio personality, Bootleg Kev, in an interview that he turned this opportunity down simply because he didn’t want to be taken away from home or The Pergola that he built with his community. He felt that a similar opportunity would always come back around to him, and that the place where he needed to be was the Bay.
LaRussell has even produced all 19 of his albums in his small home studio, the same exact residence where The Pergola is, proving his dedication to home and authenticity even more.
Fans even get the chance to interact with LaRussell’s family, like smoking a joint with his mom, and eating a meal from his pop’s cookout spread, giving them the ultimate sense of connection and inclusion in a concert scene.
While LaRussell says he was somewhat nervous about fans knowing where his home was, he also said “with great risks comes great rewards” in another interview with Bootleg Kev.
What is Good Compenny?
LaRussell started his own nonprofit and record label called Good Compenny in 2017. He says that his intentions behind building GC were to help up-and-coming artists in the bay area, as he understands the hustle that it takes to grow successfully in the music industry.
GC provides artists in the Bay Area with the resources that they need at no charge.
LaRussell’s Upcoming Show
LaRussell has already held four performances via his Backyard Residency so far this year in 2024. His next upcoming show will be held August 8th at… you guessed it- his backyard, The Pergola.
Make sure to stream LaRussell’s newest single, “What We Doin!?”, that just dropped June 27, in collaboration with artists P-Lo and Richie Rich and featuring artist MALACHI.
For more updates on LaRussell and other artists, go to RespectMyRegion.com.
