January 2 Vallejo/Vacaville Arts and Entertainment Source: Sunshine Smoothies Hosts LaRussel

Native Vallejo rapper and hip-hop artist LaRussel is not shy about showing his face in the community, from being the Grand Marshal in the Mad Hatter Holiday Parade to his upcoming residency at the Empress Theatre. His latest appearance came on Monday, when he teamed up with Sunshine Smoothies in Vallejo, giving out free smoothies all day.

Sunshine Smoothies owner Carlos Ortega found success since opening his business in the community nine years ago. After immigrating from El Salvador, Ortega’s first job was at Taco Bell before he began working at the Rojas Family Farm.

That was over 20 years ago now, and a lot has changed since. Ortega’s relationship with LaRussel, and the events they’ve had at Sunshine Smoothies, is but one example.

On Monday, Ortega and LaRussel gave out around 900 free smoothies to members of the community.

On the Sunshine Smoothies Instagram, Ortega can be seen smiling alongside customers and with LaRussel and Jourdan Jade, another Vallejo rapper.

Jade recently released a new song, “Crossroads,” featuring LaRussel. In her Instagram post with Ortega, Jade teased new music coming soon.

Because of LaRussel’s increasing popularity and fan base, it can be difficult to plan an event like free smoothie day, said Ortega before the event.

“I know LaRussel is a big star right now and me coming and working with him is such a blessing,” he said. “I’m excited but I’m a little scared at the same time because I know he pulls a crowd.”

On Instagram alone, LaRussel has 1.4 million followers. Ortega estimates that 60 percent of people who show up to free smoothie days are people following LaRussel on social media.

As a result, Free smoothie day requires a lot of planning and, well, smoothies. “The way I am thinking is that hey, either you take a risk or you lost the chance,” said Ortega.

The event, the third smoothie day with LaRussel, turned out to be a success. “It feels really good, seeing a lot of kids and families,” said Ortega.

2025 marks 10 years of Sunshine Smoothies and Coffee, a milestone Ortega plans to mark by hosting another free smoothie day in June. In addition, the new year is bringing new opportunities for Ortega, who plans to debut a mobile smoothie truck.

Ortega says he hopes to have the truck featured at Vallejo’s Fourth of July celebration, Mad Hatter Holiday Parade and Festival and more, as well as sponsoring athletic teams in the city.