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.
Russ dropped his new single, “Nasty,” and it is an ode to exactly what the title suggests. Each verse details explicit sexual lines, as he notes that he wants to take a girl out of town.
“I’m cravin’ it everyday / Don’t need to wait for the weekend for you to call out my name / Baby, we could do this often (Often) / If those pants are botherin’ you, take them off then,” he sings in the second verse.
As for the production, which Russ also handled, the beat propels the track forward — dropping out for just a moment after the chorus before returning again.
“Yeah, I want you to get nasty, nasty / Yeah, I want you to get nasty, nasty / Yeah, I want you to get nasty / Do that thing you know I like / No one watching’, it’s just me and you, alright,” Russ adds during the chorus.
He previously shared a teaser of it for fans. “I just made something insane,” Russ says in the clip, wearing his headphones around his face. As the preview plays, Russ gets into the groove of the instrumental and is clearly happy about the song he just made.
Last year saw no shortage of new music from Russ. In the early months of 2022, he kept his fans going with singles like “Remember” and “HANDSOMER” (not to mention its subsequent remixes), as well as “Real” and “WHAT ARE YALL.”
Rapper Russ performs onstage during the Day N Night Festival at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 10, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Finally, Russ closed out 2022 with “Home,” on which he reflects on returning from a long venture on the road. He took some time to celebrate the holidays amongst good company, but now he’s ready to “PUT YOU ON GAME” with his new single.
The rapper’s first song of the year arrived earlier today (January 6). Across his lyrics, the New Jersey native markedly offers advice. Specifically, he tells listeners how to maintain their peace of mind in our undeniably chaotic world.
“Don’t listen to people who lose, or you’ll do the same / Stop talkin’ to people who don’t give a fuck what you say,” he suggests on the chorus. “Stop spendin’ your money on weed, go hop on a plane / Stop pointin’ the finger and start takin’ some of the blame.”
Stream Russ’ “PUT YOU ON GAME” on Spotify or Apple Music below. Make sure to check back later this weekend to find more new releases on our weekly Fire Emoji and R&B Season playlist updates.
Quotable Lyrics:
Control your emotions, most of the time it’s really not worth it Do not be ashamed, beat yourself up, for not bein’ perfect Don’t be entitled, the world doesn’t care if you think you deserve it Don’t fall in love with someone ’til you know what’s beneath the surface
Russ is kicking off the year making note of some changes he’s making, in hopes that his fans will follow suit.. For those who are committed to their resolutions, the rapper/singer/producer has shared some advice. On his latest single, “Put You On Game,” Russ urges the listeners to pick up new habits and to practice accountability.
“Lemme put you on game / Don’t listen to people who lose, or you’ll do the same / Stop talkin’ to people who don’t give a f*ck what you say / Stop spendin’ your money on weed, go hop on a plane / Stop pointin’ the finger and start takin’ some of the blame,” he rap-sings over a drum-and-violin driven beat.
Elsewhere in the song, he notes the importance of letting our loved ones know how much they mean.
“Call up your mom, tell her you love her before it’s too late / Call up your dad, tell him you love him before it’s too late,” he raps.
In an Instagram post, Russ revealed that the song turned around rather quickly.
“From inception to release date in 24 hours,” he said in the post’s caption. “Freedom is priceless,” alluding to his independence as an artist.
It’s been a busy few weekends for new music, and that trend is only continuing into the last few weeks of the year. This Friday (December 16) hip-hop heads were most excited about albums from Young Dolph and Ab-Soul. For singles, though, many have been showing love to arrivals from artists like Central Cee, Latto, and Russ.
The New Jersey native is no stranger to feeding his fans consistent music. On the 9th of this month, he came through with “Too Much,” on which he reflected on a $50 million offer he received in exchange for his music catalogue. Following that, the lyricist is taking us “Home” on his latest single.
As Rap Radar notes, the two-minute and 39-second long song boasts production by Lucas Quinn. Throughout his verses, Russ reflects on the joys of returning back to his bed after a long stint on the road.
Of course, being a working musician is a dream for many. However, constantly travelling and having to perform as the best version of yourself isn’t an easy feat by any means.
“I missed her so much that I made her Mrs. / Feel like I hit the lottery win, when I saved the digits,” his voice croons on the first verse. “I paid her visits, nah Im lyin’, she always came to me / I was a player, but I changed, this is no game to me.”
Previously this fall we heard from the 30-year-old on tracks like “Inside” and “BET.”
Stream Russ’ “Home” single on Spotify or Apple Music below. Afterward, revisit his recent “Too Much” single here.
Quotable Lyrics:
I missed her so much that I made her Mrs. Feel like I hit the lottery win, when I saved the digits I paid her visits, nah Im lyin’, she always came to me I was a player, but I changed, this is no game to me
Christmas is rapidly approaching. However, before they settle in for the holidays, some of your favourite artists continue to share new music. Surprisingly, December has seen some strong contenders for AOTY, namely from entertainers like Metro Boomin and SZA. This past Friday (December 16), even more heat arrived, aptly adding to the already impressive roster you’ll find on our Fire Emoji playlist.
Of this weekend’s many albums, arguably the most highly anticipated comes from Ab-Soul. The TDE artist dropped off HERBERT yesterday. It came along with an admission that he survived a suicide attempt during the project’s recording process.
Titles we’ve picked from the record include “GO OFF” with Russ and Big Sean, as well as “FOMF.” Additionally, “GOODMAN” with Punch, “NO REPORT CARD,” and “GOTTA RAP” are receiving plenty of love.
Another big release in the hip-hop world was Young Dolph’s posthumous album, Paper Route Frank. The entire thing is obviously worth a listen, though the title you’ll find on our Fire Emoji roundup is “Thats How” with Key Glock.
Other guest appearances on the 23-song-long tracklist come from Kodak Black, King Von, Icewear Vezzo, and Trippie Redd, just to name a few.
On The Alchemist Sandwich the renowned producer connected with several noteworthy artists. Of the 10-track project’s two new titles, we’ve selected “Clip In A Tray” as the more Fire Emoji-worthy.
NBA YoungBoy is continuing his tradition of being one of the most consistently releasing rappers in the game. This weekend, he connected with D-ROK on “Military” for Rich Gang.
Our final new title is a collaborative effort from Chief Keef and Wiz Khalifa – “Rider.”
Stream our latest Fire Emoji update exclusively on Spotify below. Afterward, let us know what new additions are your favourite in the comments.
