LaNell Grant: The Artist, the Story, the Songs
LaNell Grant is an award-winning musician and producer based in Houston, Texas. This talented artist is pioneering a new wave of hip-hop, with her unique sound breaking down barriers with good vibes and great faith. Grant always moved to the beat of her own drum, changing her life trajectory from a teacher to a professional producer and rapper. She grew up immersed in the sounds of early rap, soul, and funk; and she brings this fusion to her own records on songs like “Shake Loose” and “Pulchritude 2.”
Let’s learn more about this amazing artist, from her life story to her bold recordings and inspiring faith.
Early stories and sounds
LaNell Grant was born and raised in Houston, a city she draws inspiration from to this day. She comes from the working class suburb of Alief, which is located in Southwest Harris County. Once a rural farming community, this area is now one of the most vibrant and ethnically diverse parts of the city. Grant is not the only upcoming talent from Alief, with local boy Tobe Nwigwe also making big waves on the global stage.
Grant’s childhood was surrounded by music, which mostly came from her father’s old vinyl records. From classic rap jams to old-school R&B ballads, she was pulled into a new world through the power of sound. According to Grant, “My love for music was born out of wonder…It’s like one day, I just decided to explore where all the music I was hearing in my home and around me was coming from.”
Some of the artists that inspired Grant included Aretha Franklin, The Fat Boys, Art of Noise, and The Temptations. With so many genres at her disposal, music made her world feel bigger and more connected. Discovering music also had an impact on her personality, with Grant making a conscious choice to avoid the “masks” typically associated with adolescence. She rocked her natural hair at high school and developed an authentic sense of identity far beyond her years.
Looking back on these formative years, Grant realizes how special this time was: “I was getting a crash course in music and was enthralled by the ability of these artists, producers, songwriters, and instrumentalists to evoke my emotions, passion, and, eventually, creativity. Originally, I was just a kid trying to emulate what I heard and put my own spin on it. Over the years, that evolved into establishing my own sound, and now I’m pushing the boundaries of that sound into the next phase.”
Musical vision and momentum
Surrounded by music at home and on the streets, LaNell Grant always wanted a music career. She started making beats at a young age and became recognized as a producer after crafting some of Tobe Nwigwe’s biggest records. The fellow Alief native burst onto the spotlight with tracks like “FYE FYE,” “TRY JESUS,” and “MAKE IT HOME.” Grant’s work in the studio was a huge part of his sound, and her talent was central to his early success.
As a producer, LaNell Grant creates a dynamic and intricate hip-hop sound that captivates attention. She always leaves space for the artist, and she often uses her own voice in the background as instrumentation. Recording vocals for Nwigwe and other artists helped Grant to follow her own musical path, and before long, she was making her own tracks.
While she still loves working as a producer, Grant has now fully embraced her musical artistry. She commands the microphone and mixing desk in equal measure, rapping with intent and producing her own distinct hip-hop sound. The end result has been warmly received by the hip-hop community, who love her sharp and insightful lyrics, deep cinematic production, and raw storytelling ability.
LaNell Grant is also the owner and leader of Women Produce, an organization championing female creativity in the hip-hop scene. She wants to open doors for female creators, removing gatekeepers so women can focus on what really matters — music and the people who make it happen.
Music releases
LaNell Grant hasn’t been around for long as a solo artist, but she’s already created some incredible music. Her biggest track to date was “Shake Loose” from 2024, and she’s released five great songs in 2025 already. Grant’s debut studio album, I Ain’t Gone Hold You, came out in 2023, with an instrumental version of the album coming out in 2024. She has become a rather prolific talent, with fans now discovering her latest studio album, My Name Is Nell.
Shake Loose
Released in late 2024, the infectious beat and cutting lyrics of this track put the young Houston rapper into the spotlight. Over three-and-a-half intense minutes, Grant presses, flexes, and lays down some serious bars. This track was a massive hit as soon as it dropped, with its tight rhythms only matched by its powerful messaging. “Shake Loose” reminds listeners to throw off expectations, avoid assumptions, and move forward in alignment with the greater good. Her kids even feature in the music video, and they’re all pretty adorable.
Pulchritude 2
Pulchritude is an old-school word meaning physical beauty or attractiveness. It may be outdated in 2025, but it’s a pretty tight way of telling someone they look good. “Pulchritude 2” came out in February 2025, and it lit up social media straight away. On this track, LaNell Grant uses her lyrical intelligence and spacious production talents to build something truly fresh. With lines like “I prefer they know they value is more than they ends / And in the end I hope they value is more than a trend,” she avoids the unhealthy flex and swagger of many hip-hop records. “Pulchritude 2” is a vibey track with an understated coolness and fresh modern grind.
My Name Is Nell
LaNell Grant’s latest studio album, My Name Is Nell, is the latest reflection of her personal musical journey. This fantastic long-player showcases her transformation from a producer to a rapper and artist. It celebrates her growth as a person and musician, with the lyrics referencing her personal struggles and intimate relationship with Christ.
This album is an 18-track epic, with every song delivered with Grant’s signature sound and unique wit. Far from bland, copycat hip-hop, My Name Is Nell beams unique beats and fresh rhymes. This album includes the singles “Shake Loose” and “Pulchritude 2,” and it also features her three other single releases from 2025: “Pillar of Salt,” “Gates Closed,” and “Better Is Best.” If you like inspirational hip-hop with great production values and authentic vibes, My Name Is Nell should definitely make your next playlist.
The importance of faith
You can’t talk about LaNell Grant without mentioning her religious faith. Her belief in Christ is central to everything she does, and her faith helps her move forward every day with purpose and grace. Grant puts it best herself, saying, “But the passion you hear in my music, the sincerity, the way it lands on your heart — I’d be a fool to take credit for that. My faith helps me understand the grace that I have been given to do this. It helps me understand how to count the cost of it all. It gives me a heart for people.”
Final thoughts
If you like positive hip-hop music inspired by life, love, and God, LaNell Grant is worthy of your attention. She has released five great singles already in 2025 and dropped a fantastic album full of fresh beats and smart rhymes. With great production values and snappy lyrics, this talented Houston native is a star on the rise.
