With an astounding career stream count surpassing 21 billion, RUSS unveils his deeply intimate and introspective masterpiece, SANTIAGO. The album, released today, elegantly melds his distinctive hip-hop and R&B stylings, inviting listeners on a transformative expedition of self-love and self-discovery. Navigating the challenges of the music industry, Russ preserves his authenticity as an independent artist, employing his unique vision to shape the project’s musical and visual components.
Russ, a driving force behind the album’s strategy and creative direction, financed every facet of the project and its rollout. His unflinching vulnerability allows fans to fully immerse in his artistic universe, a creation he ardently cultivated. This remarkable release marks the inaugural collaboration between Russ and Larry Jackson, alongside the partnership with gamma, heralding a compelling new chapter in the artist’s illustrious career. SANTIAGO is a testament to Russ’ unwavering dedication to his craft and his resolute commitment to staying true to his artistic essence.
“SANTIAGO is an album that is loosely inspired by the book ‘“’The Alchemist’”’ by Paulo Coelho,” says Russ. “It’s my journey to self love and self mastery while touching on the obstacles that have provided resistance along the way… Feelings of emptiness, inadequacy, imposter syndrome, anger, issues from my childhood and how they’ve shown up in my adult life, etc. It’s the most vulnerable music I’ve ever made and I had to do a lot of excavations to make it. It was a confronting experience and I hope it resonates with people who are trying to navigate the obstacles on their own journey.”
Russ has been setting the hip-hop world on fire recently, with his moody raps giving off premiere summer vibes. Now he’s getting in the studio with one of his all-time favorite influences, the one and only Dr. Dre. On his Instagram feed, the “Losin Control” artist showed off a few pictures with him and Dre chopping it up in what Russ is calling a “dream” studio session. Apparently, the Compton-based music producer was coaching the young buck up with his latest tracks.
This was a brief pit stop on a week in the life of Russ. He also went to the famous Gold’s Gym in California, attended Larry Jackson’s wedding, and bore witness to a Timbaland/Swizz Beatz performance at the wedding reception. Plus, Dr. Dre wasn’t the only legend in the studio that day. Jackson himself, Snoop Dogg, and Michael “Harry-O” Harris were in attendance, offering up their takes on the session and where to go with Russ’s upcoming music.
Seeing as all of these rap icons were going to Jackson’s wedding anyway, the stars literally aligned for Russ to get a once-in-a-lifetime studio session with titans in the hip-hop industry. He’s getting one-offs with plenty of musical talent outside of the studio as well. He was featured on Black Thought and Danger Mouse’s joint album, Cheat Codes, which also had Raekwon and Joey Bada$$. While those latter two are relatively new, the Roots musician and Danger Mouse have been in the game for a minute.
However, that’s what Russ likes about this time in hip-hop history. He can soak up wisdom from the ones who have been in the game for a long time while also collaborating with true peers to create some unique sounds. With his new album, Santiago, dropping soon, it only makes sense to get as many talented ears as possible to listen to the upcoming release and offer guidance. For Russ, having Dre grace him with his presence was enough of a blessing.
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg were noticeably absent from the 2023 BET Awards’ tribute to 50 years of hip-hop tribute. However, the two rap titans were quite present during a studio session with Russ. The rapper dropped his latest EP, Chomp 2.5, last month, but that didn’t stop him from working on something new. In a new post uploaded to Instagram, the musician revealed that he has something in the works with the genre’s legends.
After sharing the image of the three entertainers’ names on a soundboard, Russ captioned the post, “Man, what a week, LOL the pictures don’t even come close to how insane it was. Blessed.”
Another image from the slideshow depicted Russ in deep conversation with Dr. Dre as Snoop Dogg looks on from afar. Although the recording artist did not outline what the chat entailed, Russ has been outspoken about how he found success without a major label throughout his career. Snoop Dogg has also shared gems with newer artists looking to catch a break in the music industry as an independent act.
Last year, Russ doubled down on his beliefs, saying, “I do think at some point [major labels] will become obsolete, just because the juice isn’t worth the squeeze. You don’t need them; they’re not doing anything for you that you can’t do for yourself,” he said. “I just think that some artists are not very business-minded, and they kinda just want to be the artist, so that’s why they go the label approach so that they have a team that does everything for them.”
41-year-old Ty Dolla Sign and former Fifth Harmony member Lauren Jauregui may not have been able to make their romance work, but that’s not stopping them from collaborating musically. The creative couple spent two years together, but ultimately amicably ended their union in 2019. Now, in 2023, they’ve reunited for the black-haired beauty’s new In Between EP alongside Russ on a track called “Wolves.”
“I’ve been runnin’ with the wolves and I made it alright / Searchin’ for my purpose and I’m learnin’ / That we don’t really get a lot of time,” the pop star sings on the opening chorus. Afterward, we hear from Ty Dolla, who vents about the undeniably lonely times that come about when you have no one to turn to. “There comes a time in every man’s life / When he gotta handle shit up on his own / You can’t depend on your friends when you in a tight squeeze / Everybody got problems of they own,” the multi-talent croons.
Ty Dolla Sign and Russ are “Wolves” on New Lauren Jauregui Collab
For his part, Russ delivers bars in his signature flow, rhyming about dreaming big and trusting his intuition. “Clock tickin’, plot and stop bitchin’ / Lot of fake stars, but I ain’t ’bout to stop wishin’,” the second verse starts. “I’ma just distance me from your existence / Every time my gut talks, I try to just listen.” Of the seven titles on Jauregi’s new EP, “Wolves” is the only one with guest features. The others – including previously released singles “Always Love” and “Trust Issues” find her operating solo.
Check out Ty Dolla $ign’s appearance on “Wolves” with Lauren Jauregui and Russ on YouTube above, or add the joint effort to your playlist on Spotify/Apple Music. Are you a fan of the collaboration? Let us know in the comments, and check back in with HNHH all weekend long for more release recommendations.
I’ve been runnin’ with the wolves and I made it alright Searchin’ for my purpose and I’m learnin’ That we don’t really get a lot of time So I’ve got to go and get mine while I’m alive
Rapper Bia has been making waves since her debut on Oxygen’s Sisterhood of Hip Hop. Since emerging on the scene, the MC has garnered a huge following due to her confident, trap-influenced flow. She has collaborated with big names in the game in her career, including Hip Hop’s leading lady, Nicki Minaj. With a long list of singles, the rapper has made her way onto the charts, starting her reign in Hip Hop. Here’s everything you need to know about the rapper BIA.
Early Life & Career
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 10: Rapper BIA performs onstage during Day 1 of Rolling Loud Los Angeles at NOS Events Center on December 10, 2021 in San Bernardino, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
BIA, real name Bianca Miquela Landrau, is originally from Medford, Massachusetts. The rapper is of Afro-Puerto Rican and Italian descent. The star’s multicultural identity is something that the artist embraces. Growing up, she lived in a household where mixed language was used often. However, the star also had to overcome challenges from her background. This is especially true while growing up in a segregated city.
“It was hard to grow up as a mixed kid because you don’t really have a certain place,” said the rapper in an interview. “I saw the world differently, and it forced me to really know myself through music and to create my own thing.” The artist is proud of her ethnic background and is willing to defend it. She once went after online trolls who questioned the star’s racial identity, saying that she “not Black” in a tweet. “Very aware of my roots guys,” she Bia in a reply to the tweet. “Very proud to be Afrolatina and Italian.”
Having dreams of becoming a rapper, she got her break when Def Jam rapper Fam-lay discovered her on YouTube. This eventually led to Bia being introduced to superproducer Pharrell. Shortly afterward, the rapper starred on the Oxygen reality show, Sisterhood of Hip Hop for two seasons. She would sign her first record deal with the I Am Other music label. This led to the artist getting the chance to collaborate with big names like T.I., Jennifer Hudson, and Usher. At RCA Records, she dropped the singles “Whip It” and “Gucci Comin’ Home.”
Collaborations
Bia’s catalog not only includes the fan favorites like “Cover Girl” but impressive collaborations that made their marks on the Billboard charts. Bia got her first appearance on the charts when she was featured on J Balvin’s 2016 hit, “Safari,” alongside Pharrell Williams and Sky. The single peaked at No. 3 on the US Latin Charts. Bia’s next big collab would be “Best on Earth,” her smash hit collab with rapper-singer Russ. The song peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard US Rhythmic Chart and No. 22 on the US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart. The song is certified Platinum by the RIAA.
In 2020, she returned to the charts again, this time with the remix to her single “Whole Lotta Money,” which featured Nicki Minaj. The remix to the Bia single made its way to No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. According to Rolling Stone, the Platinum-selling remix came about after Nicki heard the song and was so impressed she decided to reach out to Bia on her Instagram. The banger was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Collaboration at the 2021 BET Awards. It was also listed at No. 38 on Rolling Stone’s “50 Best Songs of 2021 list.” Already a favorite among fans and critics, the Nicki Minaj collaboration gave even more momentum to the star’s expanding career.
The rising star’s next single came from the UK drill-influenced collaboration with J. Cole, “London.” The hit 200 single would peak at No. 20 on the US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Chart. “London” reached No. 130 on the Global 200 Chart as well. The music video for “London” also gained the artist a “Best Music Video” nomination at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards. During her career, Bia has also hopped on the track with artists including Lil Durk, Doja Cat, T-Pain, and 21 Savage. Early in her career, Bia toured with the likes of Pusha T, Ariana Grande, and Don Toliver.
What’s Next For Rapper BIA?
Still going strong from the momentum of her previous hits, Bia recently dropped another banger. Earlier this month, Bia released her newest single, “I’m That B**ch,” which features Timbaland. The single samples and takes inspiration from Missy Elliot’s “She’s a b**ch”, originally produced by Timbaland, and debuted at ten on the Billboard 200 chart at the time of its release. “I’m That B**ch is the second single for her long-awaited debut album. Future shows that fans can spot Bia performing this year includes the Metro Metro Festival in Montreal, Canada, later this month. Outside of dropping hits and performing, Bia also has her own line of cosmetics called “Beauty For Certain.”
After a few months of single releases like “Put You On Game,” “Nasty,” and “Fall For You,” Russ offers fans a more filling appetizer with Chomp 2.5, the follow-up to his 2021 album Chomp 2.
Whereas Chomp 2 was a full-length collection of songs, Chomp 2.5 returns to the roots laid by the original EP with six new songs. Also while both previous projects were notable for pairing the New Jersey rapper with multisyllabic spitting peers like Big Sean, Jadakiss, Lloyd Banks, Mozzy, Papoose, and Ransom, this time, he goes solo. This time, though, he’s got a star-studded collection of producers aboard for the trip including 9th Wonder, The Alchemist, Boi-1da, Havoc, and Statik Selektah.
Russ’ independent hustle took him places in 2022, from reuniting with Black Thought on “Because,” to collaborating with Ed Sheeran on “Are You Entertained.” And although he canceled his European tour for mental health reasons, he was also able to boast that he’s the first solo rapper to perform at the pyramids.
Russ’s refusal to cave into a major label record deal has supported the paradigm shift of the hip-hop industry over the past decade. Once a given that a successful MC would quickly dart to one of the major labels, it’s now become standard practice for artists to really evaluate their options before signing a deal. Throughout this trend, pressure has been put on record labels to begin treating artists with a more concrete level of sincerity. The ability for labels to micromanage the creative process of artists is beginning to drift away.
However, staying independent is a daunting task for any artist. To this day, the stark reality is that the big-budget marketing behind artists gives them an exponentially greater chance to become global icons. It’s a big reason why Olivia Rodrigo’s debut album Sour immediately rose to the top of worldwide charts. In addition, many of the headaches associated with tour scheduling, marketing, and scheduling go out the window when a record company controls the business aspect of the artists’ careers. However, this means that much of the artists’ streaming revenue will return to the record label.
Russ Encourages Hip-Hop Artists Not To Sign A Deal
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 17: Rapper Russ performs onstage at 2017 Music Midtown at Piedmont Park on September 17, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/WireImage)
Amidst this debate, Russ has symbolized an artist whose very much in support of independence. He wrote on Twitter, “Artists: own your music and stop letting these labels take 15% distribution fees for pressing an upload button.” He posted screenshots of his weekly payouts, occasionally eclipsing the $100,000 mark. The Atlanta-based rapper has been using Tunecore since his career began taking off in the early 2010s. Tunecore is an independent music distribution that independent artists can use to collect revenue from their art.
Russ has expanded on this issue throughout his career. Unfortunately, many successful artists continue to live paycheck to paycheck when signed to a label deal. Rather than receiving revenue from streams, artists who sign a deal tend to receive a flat check, while the label receives the streaming revenue. AIM Chief Paul Pacifico stated, “If you’re defining success as organically building a sustainable business, territory by territory, and really adding the personal touch, then an independent label may be a really, really good option. If what you’re looking to do is to hit global scale very, very quickly, then a global apparatus and a huge global marketing spend may be what you need.”
Russ initially blew up off of his 2017 hip-hop album, There’s Really a Wolf. Tracks such as “Losin Control” and “What They Want” blossomed into nationwide sensations, solidifying Russ as a name to watch. Since then, he’s become known as a DIY pioneer, controlling aspects of the process from producing to publishing his music. His music began garnering some attention all the way back in 2014 when he describes beginning to earn over $1,000 a month on music. “During that little spike, I was kind of like, ‘Oh, you can actually make money off of this.’ Like real money, you know?” The 21-year-old realized that he could rely on himself rather than a label.
However, Russ wasn’t always an independent artist. Back in 2017, he signed a multi-million-dollar record deal with Colombia Records. He explained to host DJ Akademiks, “I made sure that I built up leverage. I was selling out shows. I was doing all of this s**t. So, how much of me did I actually sign to you.” It’s an approach that’s become more commonplace over the past decade, as artists have waited to become successful independent artists before willingly signing over their royalties to labels. However, Russ’s deal with Colombia Records didn’t last very long. After releasing the deluxe version of SHAKE THE SNOW GLOBE, he had satisfied his obligation rights to the label. After three years, he realized that doing it himself was easier than relying on others.
He Founded Diemon Entertainment in 2022
In 2022, Russ would go on to expand his “artist-friendly” label, Diemon Entertainment, along with hip-hop artist Bugus. The two have a relationship that travels back to when Russ was still making beats in his parents’ house as a 20-year-old. In fact, Diemon Entertainment was created all the way back in 2011. Recently, he’s decided to turn Diemon from a creative collective into a fully-fledged record label. In an interview with Variety, Russ stated, “It’s just a super artist-friendly situation, where we’re here to provide resources and mentorship to artists that we believe in.”
Russ’s success as an independent hip-hop artist sets the stage for ownership as an artist. Of course, he’s not the only one to shift the conversation about signing a record deal. Artists such as Frank Ocean, Chance the Rapper, and Macklemore have all proven that success can be achieved without a label. Russ’s individualistic approach made things more challenging in the early stages of his career. However, Russ’s eventual success has made him a symbol of patience and individuality.
Russ has shared many gems about being an independent artist. One of these is being able to drop consistently. Since December, Russ has released a plethora of singles with similar covers. This has been a reoccurring practice within his artistry. He released his single ” Put You On Game” starting the year off strong. In February, he released a host of singles “Can’t Get This Right,” “3:15,” “Gimme Love,” as well as a single EP called NASTY. Each of these singles ranges between Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, R&B, and Soft Rock.
Earlier this week, Russ teased a new single called “Fire.” He took to Instagram with a short photo dump captioned, “Soft rock song dropping this Friday. It’s called ‘fire.’” Hilariously, Russ includes a picture with a drawn-on rock hairstyle. Fans took to the comment to laugh at the joke tailored to the song’s genre soft rock. Russ is known to be a genre-bending artist. Although he does it all, his presence in Hip-Hop and R&B is the strongest. His popular R&B Ballad “Losing Control” is six times platinum according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
Russ Delivers Vocally with “Fire”
Furthermore, “Fire” showcases a soft side to Russ. Its full length stands at just over three minutes at 3:18.This song is a strong depiction of Russ’s vocal ability. Its feel-good tone can be categorized as a more chill feel from the versatile artist. The song’s theme depicts a love story. The hook immediately catches your attention as there is a switch in cadence between the verses. This song does not include features. With Summer ahead, Russ makes sure to put in his entry for a soft rock staple. Coincidentally, the song’s title depicts the heat Russ has dropped so far this year. There has been a song for each of the top current genres.
Furthermore, Russ also released an additional song on Friday. He has put his own spend on ” Fall For You” by Secondhand Serenade. It is safe to say Russ’s theme of the day is rock.
Quotable Lyrics:
Love how you always know when I’m stressin’ you, at least Wish that I could be everything you need me to be (Everything) Yeah, that you need me to be (Everything) Woah
Russ is known for writing, producing, and engineering all of his own music. But tonight (May 5), the multihyphenate has opted to revisit a late-aughts favorite.
Last month, fans demanded that Russ release a cover of Secondhand Serenade’s “Fall For You” after he had apparently trolled the internet by singing parts of the song in viral clips. He has made good on his word by finally sharing the studio version of the cover.
This version is a little bit more stripped back than the 2008 original, and also features Russ singing in a lower key. However, the R&B sounds blended with the emo element make the cover feel like a whole new song.
“Tonight will be the night that I will fall for you / over again / Don’t make me change my mind / Or I won’t live to see another day / I swear it’s true / Because a girl like you is impossible to find /You’re impossible to find,” he sings on the song’s chorus.
Equally as excited about the cover is Secondhand Serenade himself, who took to TikTok to express his joy over the snippet Russ shared.
