ARTIST TO WATCH: Russ

When I hear this artist, I start losin control...

He is talented in every aspect. Not only does this artist rap, but he sings, writes, mixes, creates the beats for and produces all of his music. This impressive musician is Russell James Vitale, AKA Russ.

Russ started his music career at a very young age. When he was just 7 years old, he began writing his own raps, and by the age of 14, he was creating his own beats. Talent like his didn’t come overnight, though. His grind started as a child and it has paid off in the end.

In 2014, Russ started releasing singles on Soundcloud. By 2016, he signed with Columbia Records where his career began to prosper. His first 2 singles with the record company, “What They Want” and “Losin Control”, both made it on Billboard’s Hot 100.

The single “What They Want” peaked at number 83 on Billboard’s Hot 100… meaning you ain’t the only one jamming to this song. Everything about the track is dope. From the beat to the rhymes to the music video… and guess what? Russ is behind all of that. He didn’t just show up for the music video or pull up to the studio to record the song. He mixed the beat, produced the song, and wrote the lyrics. That just makes me like the song so much more!

Now this song is going to be stuck in my head all day. Russ absolutely kills it on all his songs, but this one is probably one of my favorites. His creativity captured the entire image that he was trying to present. Again, everything from the beat to the lyrics was done by none other than himself. This song peaked at number 62 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Russ is different and has a unique feel to his music. His beats are one-point and he gives us all music to vibe out to. His first album in 2017 with Columba Records, There’s Really a Wolf, was number 7 on U.S. Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum. His next album, ZOO, which was released in 2018, peaked at number 4 on the U.S. Billboard 200. Check out his biggest song from the album, “The Flute Song”, below.

Talk about talent! I still can’t believe Russ creates every aspect of his music. He is literally a genius. I dig the way he rocks out to his own beats in his music videos too. You know we’re all doing the same thing!

There’s a lot more to hear from this artist. He was just recently on a song with Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa….and guess what? Yup! He produced AND mixed the song!

I don’t know how anyone can be so talented. I cannot wait to hear more!