Russell James Vitale, widely recognized as Russ, is a prominent figure in the American music scene. He excels as a rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Russ’s journey has been marked by a string of albums, mixtapes, and singles initially offered freely on online platforms.
Notably, his twelfth studio album, “There’s Really a Wolf,” emerged in May 2017 through collaboration with Columbia Records. This release achieved a remarkable feat, being certified Platinum by April 2018. The album featured hit tracks such as “What They Want,” “Losin Control,” and “Best on Earth” (featuring Bia), securing positions on the US Billboard Hot 100 at 83, 63, and 46 respectively.
Following this triumph, Russ’s creative journey continued with his thirteenth album, “Zoo,” hitting the music scene on September 7, 2018. The album soared to an impressive fourth place on the US Billboard 200. This was followed by his fourteenth studio album, “Shake the Snow Globe,” which debuted on January 31, 2020, also securing a spot at number 4 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It’s worth noting that beyond his solo endeavors, Russ is a significant contributor to Diemon, a vibrant music collective originating from Atlanta, Georgia.
Russell James Vitale’s roots trace back to his birth on September 26, 1992, in Secaucus, New Jersey. His family heritage includes Sicilian descent. Growing up in an American household with Sicilian ancestry, he and his three siblings experienced relocations due to his father’s career, ultimately establishing a permanent residence in Atlanta, Georgia. From a young age, Russ showed musical promise, acquiring guitar skills from his father and gradually mastering several instruments. His passion for music was evident as he penned his initial rap compositions at just 7 years old. By 14, he was crafting beats and collaborating with his friend Bugus. At 18, he marked a milestone by recording his debut track.
Russ’s presence in the music scene intensified in 2011 when he and Bugus garnered attention with Bugus’ track “El Jefe,” leading to an appearance on MTV. A period of enrollment at Kennesaw State University was followed by the establishment of his own collective and label, Diemon, alongside Bugus and others. Notably, Russ earned recognition as an in-house producer for Diemon through an article in Jenesis Magazine in 2012.
Russ’s path to success was paved with dedication and resilience. Between December 2011 and August 2014, he generously released 11 albums and 87 singles without charge. However, his desired level of recognition was elusive, prompting him to release a weekly track on SoundCloud for nearly three years. This strategic move bore fruit, propelling tracks like “What They Want” and “Losin Control” to peak at number 83 and 62 respectively on the US Billboard Hot 100.
A pivotal partnership with Columbia Records propelled Russ’s career to new heights. The release of his twelfth studio album, “There’s Really a Wolf,” on May 5, 2017, yielded impressive results, debuting at number 7 on the US Billboard 200 and number four on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. This achievement culminated in RIAA’s platinum certification on April 18, 2018, affirming sales and album-equivalent units exceeding 1,000,000 units in the United States. Preceding the album’s launch, Russ took to Twitter to announce his headlining tour, “The Wake Up Tour,” spanning from May 16 to August 5, 2017.
Continuing his trajectory, Russ unveiled his thirteenth studio album, “Zoo,” on September 7, 2018, achieving an impressive number 4 position on the Billboard 200. On November 12, 2019, he diversified his creative pursuits by publishing his debut book, “It’s All in Your Head.” The momentum persisted with the release of his fourteenth studio album, “Shake the Snow Globe,” on January 31, 2020, jointly through Russ My Way Inc. and Columbia Records. This album maintained the trend, securing the fourth rank on the US Billboard 200.
June 30, 2020, witnessed a significant shift as Russ marked the completion of his engagement with Columbia Records, embarking on his journey as an independent artist. On November 17, 2020, he unveiled the EP “Chomp,” boasting collaborations with prominent artists like Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, Benny the Butcher, and Ab-Soul.
Keeping the momentum alive, Russ announced the arrival of “Chomp 2” on November 18, 2021, as a follow-up to the previous year’s “Chomp.” This eagerly anticipated project graced the music scene on December 8, 2021, under the banner of Russ My Way Inc.