Russ (rapper)

Russ
Background information
Birth name Russell Vitale[1]
Born (1992-09-26) September 26, 1992
Secaucus, New Jersey, United States
Origin Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer-songwriter
  • record producer
Years active 2007–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website diemon.com

Russell Vitale (born September 26, 1992), known by his stage name, Russ, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer.[2][3] He is known for his singles "What They Want" and "Losin Control", which peaked respectively at number 83 and 63 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[4]

Outside of his solo music, he is part of the Diemon Crew, a rap group.[5][6][7] His debut Columbia studio album There's Really a Wolf was released on May 5, 2017, and was certified Platinum on April 18, 2018.[8]

Early life

Russ was born on September 26, 1992 in Secaucus, New Jersey. He is of Sicilian descent.[1] He has also lived in North Carolina and Kentucky, due to his father having to constantly relocate due to his career, before his family found a permanent home in Georgia.[9] He started writing raps in his notebook at seven years old and started making beats when he was 14.[10] He recorded his first song at 18 years old.[11][12]

Career

From December 2011 to August 2014, Russ released 11 albums and 87 singles consecutively; all free of charge through Soundcloud.[1] In 2016, Russ partnered with Columbia Records.[13] He later released the single "What They Want", which peaked at number 83 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[14] [15] He then released another single "Losin Control", which peaked at number 62 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and is currently his highest charting single.[4]

On May 5, 2017, Russ released his first Columbia studio album There's Really a Wolf which debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200 and number four on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.[16][17][18] On April 18, 2018, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over 1,000,000 units in the United States.[19] Prior to releasing his album, Russ announced on his Twitter account that he would be headlining his own tour, The Wake Up Tour, from May 16 to August 5, 2017.[20]

Musical style

His early inspirations were G-Unit, 50 Cent and Eminem.[11][21]

He produced beats for around 6 years before he attempted to record himself rapping.[22]

Russ is known for his songs being produced, mixed, mastered, engineered, written, and performed by himself.[23] Most of his songs contain hip hop and R&B elements, while combining rapping and singing on the hook.

His style has been described by Uproxx as a "raspy, hardbody rap flow, and lilting, almost drunken singing voice".[24]

Personal life

Russ has two different eye colors, a condition known as heterochromia; his left eye is dark-brown and his right is light-brown.[11]

Controversies

In September 2017, Russ posted a picture of him wearing a T-shirt advocating an anti-drug stance on Twitter. The shirt, reading "How much Xans and Lean do you have to do before you realize you're a fucking loser",[25][26] was panned and became a meme critiquing Russ.[27]

Russ performed at Splash! Festival in Germany in July 2018. According to a Breakfast Club interview in September 2018, Russ and his entourage attacked a rapper who had been insulting Russ on social media.[28] The following day, a video was leaked showing Russ' entourage attacking rapper Smokepurpp.[29] Russ said that attack was due to Smokepurpp's constant attempts at a feud with him through saying "Fuck Russ" on Twitter and Smokepurpp posting images of Russ' sister.[30][30]

Several days following the video leak showing the attack, Adam Grandmaison, better known as Adam22, a well known figure in the hip-hop community for his No Jumper podcast, spoke out on Twitter saying that Russ' friends attacked him.[31]

Discography

Columbia studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[32]		 US R&B/HH
[33]		 US Rap
[34]		 AUS
[35]		 CAN
[36]		 NZ
[37]
There's Really a Wolf 74454929
Zoo
  • Released: September 7, 2018[40]
  • Label: Diemon, Columbia
  • Format: CD, digital download
 422431235

Diemon studio albums

List of albums with selected details
Title Details
Velvet
Apollo 13
  • Released: January 24, 2012[42]
  • Label: Diemon
  • Format: Digital download
5280
  • Released: July 23, 2012
  • Label: Diemon[43]
  • Format: Digital download
Vacation
  • Released: September 24, 2012[44]
  • Label: Diemon
  • Format: Digital download
Straight From Limbo
  • Released: January 1, 2013[45]
  • Label: Diemon
  • Format: Digital download
The Edge
  • Released: June 12, 2013[44]
  • Label: Diemon
  • Format: Digital download
Color Blind
  • Released: September 2, 2013
  • Label: Diemon [46]
  • Format: Digital download
Pink Elephant
  • Released: January 23, 2014[47]
  • Label: Diemon
  • Format: Digital download
Brain Dead
  • Released: March 24, 2014[48]
  • Label: Diemon
  • Format: Digital download
Silence
  • Released: June 11, 2014[49]
  • Label: Diemon
  • Format: Digital download
How to Rob
  • Released: August 18, 2014[50]
  • Label: Diemon
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[4]		 US R&B/HH
[51]		 US Rap
[52]		 US
R&B
[53]		 US
Rhy.
[54]		 BEL
(Fl)
Tip
[55]		 BEL
(FL)
Urban
[56]		 CAN
[57]
"Goodbye" 2014 ———————— Pink Elephant
"Psycho" ————————
"Willy Wonka"
(featuring Paulina and Jafé)		 2015 ———————— Non-album singles
"Too Many" ————————
"Pull the Trigger" ———————— There's Really a Wolf
"What They Want" 833321—12—5070
"Someone to Drink With" ———————— Non-album single
"Losin Control" 6228—78——— There's Really a Wolf
"Do It Myself" ————————
"Inbetween" 2016 ———————— Non-album singles
"Yung God" ——————43—
"Waste My Time" ————————
"We Just Haven't Met Yet" ————————
"Psycho Pt. 2" ————————
"Ain't Nobody Takin My Baby" ————————
"The Journey" 2017 ————————
"Me You"[65] ————301620— There's Really a Wolf
"Wife You Up" ———1616——— Non-album singles
"Flip" 2018 ————————
"Some Time" ———12————
"Basement"
(featuring Jessie Reyez)		 ———23————
"Back to Life" ————30—39—
"The Flute Song" —[upper-alpha 1]—[upper-alpha 2]——30473190 Zoo

Notes

  1. ↑ "The Flute Song" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 15 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[67]
  2. ↑ "The Flute Song" did not enter the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number five on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[68]
List of singles as featured artist
Title Year Album
"Perico"[69]
(Dakota featuring Russ)		 2016 Non-album single
"Issues"
(PnB Rock featuring Russ)		 2017 Catch These Vibes

Promotional singles

List of promotional singles
Title Year Album
"Down for You" 2015 Non-album single
"The Otherside" 2016
"Manifest"
"T'd Up"
"Overdue"
"The Game" 2017
"Maybe"
"Prosper"
"Think Twice"
"Lean on You"
"Alone" 2018
"Dangerous"
"Don't Fall For It"
"September 16"
"Tell Me Why"
"Serious" Zoo

Other charted songs

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
R&B
[70]
"Cherry Hill" 2017 19 There's Really a Wolf

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result
2017 Woodie Awards Woodie To Watch Nominated[72]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Abubaker, Mustafa (June 20, 2016). "Do it everyday, music or nothing: ATL's Russ on his self-made success". Mass Appeal. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Russ Doesn't Hesitate to 'Pull the Trigger' in New Video - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2016-08-14.
  3. ↑ "Certified Fresh: Meet Russ, Your Next Favorite Rapper". hiphopwired.com. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 "Russ Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Meet Russ the Up and Coming Atlanta Artist". www.teambackpack.net. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  6. ↑ "Do It Everyday, Music or Nothing: ATL's Russ on His Self-Made Success - Mass Appeal". 2016-06-20. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
  7. ↑ "New Visuals For Russ's "Pull The Trigger" - RESPECT". 2016-07-29.
  8. 1 2 "American single certifications – Russ -There's Really a Wolf". Recording Industry Association of America". Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  9. ↑ Bootleg Kev (2016-08-19), RUSS in-depth interview w/ Bootleg Kev, retrieved 2017-05-09
  10. ↑ "Meet Russ: The Up-and-Coming Atlanta Artist". Retrieved 2016-08-10.
  11. 1 2 3 "The Break Presents: Russ - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2016-08-14.
  12. ↑ Garl, Maurice; 2016, Apr 20 (2016-04-20). "Certified Fresh: Meet Russ, Your Next Favorite Rapper". Hip-Hop Wired. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
  13. ↑ "Columbia Records Artists". Columbia Records. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
  14. ↑ "Russ - "What They Want" & "Let Me In"". Hillydilly.com. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
  15. ↑ "Rising Rapper Russ on His '10-Year, 11-Album, 87-Song Overnight Success'". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  16. ↑ Amaya Mendizabal (May 18, 2017). "Russ' 'There's Really a Wolf' Debuts at No. 4 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Listen to Russ' New Album 'There's Really a Wolf' - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  18. ↑ "There's Really A Wolf". 2017-05-05.
  19. ↑ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". riaa.com. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  20. ↑ "The Wake Up Tour". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
  21. ↑ "Russ Biography". billboard.com. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  22. ↑ "RUSS in-depth interview w/ Bootleg Kev". Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  23. ↑ "Rising Rapper Russ on His '10-Year, 11-Album, 87-Song Overnight Success'". Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  24. ↑ "Russ' 'There's Really A Wolf' Was The Best Rap Release Of The Weekend". UPROXX. 2017-05-08. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
  25. ↑ "Russ on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  26. ↑ "Rising Rapper Russ Has A Brutal Diss For Mainstream Hip-Hop's Drug Use". UPROXX. 2017-09-11. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  27. ↑ "The Internet Roasted Russ' Anti-Drug Shirt With Some Hilarious Memes". UPROXX. 2017-09-12. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  28. ↑ Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM (2018-09-11), Russ Talks ZOO, Self-Production, Why People Hate Him, Social Media + More, retrieved 2018-09-13
  29. ↑ "Russ Jumped Smokepurpp While On Tour And May Have Leaked Footage". UPROXX. 2018-09-13. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  30. 1 2 "Footage Of Russ' Crew Attacking Smokepurpp At A Festival Hits The Internet - AllHipHop.com". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  31. ↑ "Adam 22 Blasts Russ For Sending Goons After Him: " Wtf Is Wrong With You"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
  32. ↑ "Russ – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Russ – Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Russ – Chart History: Top Rap Albums". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  35. ↑ Peaks in Australia:
    • There's Really a Wolf: "ARIA Chart Watch #420". auspOp. May 13, 2017. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
    • Zoo: "ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. September 17, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Russ – Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  37. ↑ Peaks in New Zealand:
    • There's Really a Wolf: "Discography Russ". charts.nz. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
    • Zoo: "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 17, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  38. ↑ "There's Really A Wolf by Russ on Apple Music". apple.com. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  39. ↑ "There's Really A Wolf". theresreallyawolf.com. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  40. ↑ Findlay, Mitch (August 13, 2018). "Russ Announces New Album "Zoo," Shares Release Date & Cover". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  41. ↑ "Russ Velvet Album". earmilk.com. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  42. ↑ "Russ Apollo 13". earmilk.com. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  43. ↑ "Russ - 5280 [Album] - EARMILK". earmilk.com. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  44. 1 2 "Russ The Edge". jenesismagazine.com. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  45. ↑ "Russ - Straight From Limbo (Album) - EARMILK". earmilk.com. 25 April 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  46. ↑ "Russ finds his voice with 'Color Blind'". creativeloafing.com. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  47. ↑ DodgerOnDeck (23 January 2014). "Mixtape: Russ - "Pink Elephant"". thesource.com. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  48. ↑ DodgerOnDeck (24 March 2014). "Russ Gives Us His New Free Album "Brain Dead"". thesource.com. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  49. ↑ Scottrandell (10 September 2014). "Russ Drops The Official Video To "Gypsy" Off His June Release 'Silence'". thesource.com. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  50. ↑ Scottrandell (22 August 2014). "DIEMON's Producer-On-The-Mic Russ Excels On New Project 'How To Rob'". thesource.com. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  51. ↑ "Russ Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  52. ↑ "Russ Chart History: Hot Rap Songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  53. ↑ "Russ – Chart history: Hot R&B Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  54. ↑ "Russ – Chart history: Rhythmic Songs". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  55. ↑ "Russ Discography (BEL Ultratop/tip)". Ultratop. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  56. ↑ Peaks in Belgium:
    • "Yung God": "Yung God (BEL Ultratop)". Ultratop. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
    • "What They Want": "What They Want (BEL Ultratop)". Ultratop. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
    • "Me You": "Me You (BEL Ultratop)". Ultratop. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
    • "Back to Life": "Back To Life (BEL Ultratop)". Ultratop. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
    • "Back to Life": "The Flute Song (BEL Ultratop)". Ultratop. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
  57. ↑ "Russ Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  58. ↑ "American single certifications – Russ – Pull The Trigger". Recording Industry Association of America". Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  59. ↑ "American single certifications – Russ – What They Want". Recording Industry Association of America". Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  60. 1 2 "Canadian single certifications – Russ – What They Want". Recording Industry Association of America". Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  61. ↑ "American single certifications – Russ – Losin Control". Recording Industry Association of America". Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  62. ↑ "American single certifications – Russ – Do It Myself". Recording Industry Association of America". Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  63. ↑ "American single certifications – Russ – Psycho, Pt. 2". Recording Industry Association of America". Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  64. ↑ "American single certifications – Russ – Ain't Nobody Takin My Baby". Recording Industry Association of America". Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  65. ↑ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". AllAccess. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  66. ↑ "American single certifications – Russ – Me You". Recording Industry Association of America". Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  67. ↑ "Russ Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  68. ↑ "Russ - Chart History: Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  69. ↑ "Perico (feat. Russ) - Single by Dakota on Apple Music". apple.com. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  70. ↑ "Hot R&B Charts (May 27, 2017)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  71. ↑ "American single certifications – Russ – Cherry Hill". Recording Industry Association of America". Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  72. ↑ "Winners & Nominees by Category - 2017 Woodies - MTV University". MTV. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
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