LARRENWONG: The Athlete Who Traded Stadium Lights for Soulful Spotlight

Written By Tracey Khan

LARRENWONG knows what it means to perform when everything is on the line. The Bay Area native spent years as a collegiate and professional NFL athlete before stepping into music full time, bringing the same discipline, grit, and laser focus into the studio that once fueled him on the field. The result has been a powerful rise in R&B, marked by the release of his most compelling project to date, 4th & Long, earlier this year.

Football sharpened his mentality and prepared him for the pressure of pursuing a career in music. The long hours, early mornings, and unwavering commitment to improvement now show up in his voice, his presence, and his creative process. He honed that foundation while expanding his fanbase as an opener on DaniLeigh’s 4 Velour Tour, commanding the stage with a compelling mix of vulnerability, strength, and polished artistry.

His buzzing single 7 Days offers a heartfelt nod to Craig David’s classic while carving space for a new generation of soulful singers who value emotion over over-production. Another standout from the project, Out The Frame, received recognition from Billboard and earned love from VIBE Magazine, further amplifying his momentum. A COLORS performance of his song Mama followed, offering a textured and emotional display of his vocal range and storytelling ability.

With the release of his late-2024 single Loop, the artist continued building a steady wave of support and anticipation. 4th & Long signaled a pivotal moment not just in his sound, but in his identity. It marks the transition from athlete with passion to fully realized artist ready for a breakthrough year.

Along with his music, LARRENWONG’s presence speaks volumes. His sculpted frame and intentional image reinforce the same discipline that shaped him as an athlete. Yet the heart of his artistry lives in honesty, soul, and a deep respect for R&B tradition.

Below, he shares more about his journey, evolution, and the mindset that fuels his growing legacy.

You have said football shaped your discipline. How does that translate to music?

Football was my blueprint. The structure, early mornings, film study, and constant push to get better prepared me for this journey. I approach the studio and stage with that same energy. Creativity can be free, but consistency requires structure. I learned that in sports.

How did you navigate the shift from athlete to artist?

Music was always within me, even when football came first. The moment football stopped feeding me, I had to make a choice about who I wanted to be. Choosing music felt like jumping without a parachute, but it also felt like choosing my purpose. I took everything football taught me and applied it to my artistry.

What does real R&B mean to you?

Honesty and emotion. I love innovation, but timeless R&B has soul, vulnerability, and a real feeling behind it. In an era focused on algorithms and quick attention, authenticity for me means staying connected to the emotion first. If the music hits your heart, the moment will follow.

What was the moment that made you feel like you were stepping into your own?

COLORS was huge for me, and opening for DaniLeigh meant a lot, but signing with Anderson .Paak really hit me. I always believed in myself, but receiving support from someone established in the mainstream was confirmation.

Today, LARRENWONG stands in a space where polish meets vulnerability, and where consistency fuels ascension. With focused studio development, refined creative direction, and a clearly evolving visual aesthetic, he enters a new era poised to solidify his place among the next generation of R&B leaders. 4th & Long did not simply mark a project. It signaled a turning point and the beginning of a breakthrough chapter.