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Making a Scene Presents an interview with Ra’shad the Blues Kid

Larry McGill, better known as Ra’Shad the Blues Kid, was born on September 30, 1987, in Laurel, Mississippi—the heart of the Piney Woods region. Though no one in his family played music, Ra’Shad grew up surrounded by soul and gospel, planting seeds of inspiration early on. As he says, “The love of music was put in me before I could even play.”

In high school, Ra’Shad divided his time between football and music, but it was clear his heart belonged to music. Even then, he was already writing songs, experimenting with blues, and pushing into other genres—often reminding himself, “Hey, I’m just going to do it.”

After enrolling at Jackson State University to study elementary education, Ra’Shad’s plans shifted following a knee injury. Turning back to music, he joined friends to form The Groove Band in 2011. The group backed well-known Southern Soul artists like LaMorris Williams, Krishunda Echols, and J.T. Darnell. When a lead singer was once delayed at a gig, Ra’Shad stepped up to the mic for the first time—his natural stage presence made it clear he was meant to front an audience.

A pivotal moment in Ra’Shad’s journey was his relationship with bluesman L.C. Ulmer of Ellisville, Mississippi. Ulmer mentored him with tough love and encouragement: “You need to put something on that paper so you can make your million dollars like B.B. King.” After Ulmer’s passing in 2016, Ra’Shad honored his mentor by adopting the name Ra’Shad the Blues Kid. He also drew inspiration from bluesman Tommie “T-Bone” Pruitt and from Dawn Lee—a passionate fan who became an early guide to blues repertoire.

Ra’Shad’s first single, “Shake It” (2017), introduced him to the Southern Soul scene. His debut album, Country Soul (2017), featured collaborations with L.J. Echols and Napoleon Demps and produced fan favorites like “Go Get It” and “Saddle Up.” Later, he remixed “Shake It” with J Wonn and released “Back It Up” featuring Stevie J.

In 2021, Ra’Shad took things further, releasing two projects at once: Southern Side of Soul and Bluz Me. The first captured the trail ride vibe of Southern Soul, while Bluz Me paid homage to his mother’s influence and his heroes—Little Milton, Albert King, and Tyrone Davis. Around this time, his song “Revolution”, inspired by the George Floyd tragedy, was nominated for Social Conscience Song of the Year at the Underground Southern Soul Awards.

Over the years, Ra’Shad has built bridges across blues and Southern Soul, collaborating with artists like Ms. Jody, Big Yayo, Dave Mack, Mr. Sipp, Eddie Cotton, and Grady Champion. His work reflects real stories, real struggles, and real joy—always rooted in authenticity.

Recognition has followed. He has been featured in Living Blues Magazine (2022), Blues Festival Guide (2024), and Pulse Magazine (2024). In 2023, he was nominated for the Jus Blues “B.B. King of the Blues” Award and inducted into the Alabama Blues Hall of Fame. In 2024, he became an honorary member of Ground Zero Blues Club, the largest blues club in the world, and represented Mississippi at the Chicago Blues Festival.

One of the highlights of his career came in 2025 at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, where he competed against bands from across the globe and earned 2nd place, taking home the prestigious Lee Oskar Silver Prize.

Today, Ra’Shad continues to grow as a songwriter, composer, producer, and performer, sharing stages with legends like Bobby Rush, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, and Shemekia Copeland. Despite his success, he remains humble, saying, “I’ve been doing this strong since 2017, but I’m still a baby in it.”

With his fearless creativity, deep respect for the blues, and a growing circle of collaborators, Ra’Shad the Blues Kid is carving his place as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary Southern Soul and blues—and his journey is only beginning.

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