LaSalle Grandeur Delivers Us an Experience Not Just an Album

Chicago native LaSalle Grandeur is back with his newest album titled A Ghost of Self. Having been previously covered on the site, LaSalle has been a man on a mission with this latest album. For everyone new to LaSalle he can be considered an alternative rapper with a mixture of pop. With this album, LaSalle talks a lot about his issues with loneliness, mental health, and relationships. The album was an incredible work of art and something that LaSalle may have never been able to do alone. Throughout the album we get countless features through ways of background vocals, live instruments, or spoken words. Similar to albums by Kanye West, Travis Scott or Childish Gambino, A Ghost of Self can be seen as an experience not just an album.

A Ghost of Self was released October 24th, 2023, and has 11 songs with a runtime of about 32 minutes. LaSalle did a great job naming the songs because the titles really do tell you what the song is going to be about unlike a lot of songs nowadays.

1. loneliness is very lonely – This gives us an insight as to what to expect from the album as LaSalle combines two clips that talk about loneliness, one from an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants and a clip from the comedy YouTube channel Aba & Preach.

2. the pressure – on this song we hear about the pressure that LaSalle has on himself, his battles with mental health, and how he wants to become a better person. We also get an amazing use of a violin during part of the song.

3. keep your stories (Ft. Gio Genesis & Morgan Gold) – This song is where we get LaSalle’s pop side as we get somewhat of an 80s type up-tempo beat.

4. you leave me in the dark (Ft. Mariah Colon) [agos version] – This song was originally released as a single and without a feature back in April of 2023 which is why it’s called the A Ghost of Self version. On the song we get LaSalle trying to get someone he cares about to open up to him, but they just continuously tell him that they’re fine, hence leaving LaSalle in the dark.

5. a ghost of self (Ft. MFnMelo) – while we get more of a melodic rap or pop throughout the album, this song can be considered the first full rap song on the album.

6. trusted angels (TAHOE!) – This song is where the album seems to take a shift and where the listener can hear how the previous actions LaSalle talked about are shaping him to become the person he is today as he looks through his past. We also get our first spoken word on the album which is by Cheryl Seymore.

7. wisp in the wind/maybe i’m just lonely (Ft. Joonie B & Anessa Rivera) – It may be the use of live instruments by Sam Glover on the bass, Joseph Parker on the piano or John Lee on the violin but with LaSalle and Anessa’s vocals you just get lost in the music with this song.

8. MADNESS! (Ft. JVNGBVG & Bandit.Senpai) [agos version] – Released as the 2nd single off the album, the main difference for this version and the single version would be the inclusion of Ainsely Brandon “Fox Phaser'' Campbell's spoken word at the intro of the song. In this song there are also hints of what some may consider to be similar to Jaden Smith’s music.

9. i’ll be OKAY! (Ft. MikeNyucka & Anessa Rivera) [agos version] – Similar to the rest of the album versions of previously released singles, this one has a spoken word from Ryan Reid.

10.  i’m ALIVE! (day & night) [Ft. Ro Moore] – On this song we get a bit of a pop/house music/jersey club production.

11.  sunshine (OUTCAST!) [Ft. Retro Gibson & Anessa Rivera] – On the final song of the album we get a spoken word from our good friend, AUSAR. AUSAR congratulates LaSalle for always staying so strong and staying true to the person he is and throughout the song you hear LaSalle talk about finally realizing no matter how dark things might be things will turn out ok.

After listening to the album, you see how amazing LaSalle is as we get some very emotional lyrics on some pretty up-tempo happy beats. This only signifies how well of an artist LaSalle is as he’s able to uplift these sad situations for the listeners and gives them motivation.