Russ

Russell James Vitale, professionally known as Russ, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, author, and actor. Born on September 26, 1992, Russ rose to prominence through an unmatched DIY ethic—writing, producing, mixing, mastering, and engineering his music independently. A native of New Jersey who later moved to Atlanta, Russ co-founded the hip hop collective and independent label Diemon (Do It Everyday Music or Nothing) with longtime friend and collaborator Bugus. From 2011 to 2014, he released 11 albums and 87 singles for free, laying the groundwork for a loyal fanbase. Frustrated with a lack of traction, he adopted a strategy of releasing a new song every week on SoundCloud for nearly three years. This consistency paid off when tracks like “What They Want” and “Losin Control” broke into the Billboard Hot 100, eventually peaking at #83 and #62, respectively. In 2017, Russ signed a deal with Columbia Records and released his twelfth studio album (and major label debut), There's Really a Wolf. The album was both a critical and commercial success, debuting at number 7 on the Billboard 200 and earning platinum certification by the RIAA. He followed this with Zoo (2018) and Shake the Snow Globe (2020), both of which debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200. The latter featured his highest-charting single to date, “Best on Earth” featuring Bia. Known for his independence and outspoken views on the music industry, Russ remains a self-sufficient artist and a vocal advocate for creative control. Beyond music, he became a published author in 2019 with the motivational book It’s All In Your Head, empowering fans with messages of self-belief and persistence. In 2024, Russ expanded into acting with his debut role in the thriller film Trap, marking a new chapter in his multifaceted career. From SoundCloud legend to platinum-selling artist and creative entrepreneur, Russ stands as a symbol of self-made success in the modern music era.