JACQUES: There are few rappers today that both draw love and vitriol like New Jersey’s Russ.
JACQUES: As he prepares for the release of his latest album, “SHAKE THE SNOW GLOBE,”
he says he's in a much better mood.
RUSS: And so once I got to really be in my house, be with my family for an extended period of time,
it started really settling in, the positives of the life started settling in, the positives of the life.
JACQUES: But at times, it can feel like it’s Russ versus the world - like in September 2017
when he posted a photo rocking a t-shirt that read quote.
"How much xans and lean do you have to do before you realize you’re a fucking loser?"
Needless to say, the shirt wasn’t much of a hit.
And two months later after rapper Lil Peep passed away from a fentanyl laced
xanax overdose, his subsequent PSA’s were greeted with disdain.
In fact, Florida’s Smokepurrp tweeted quote.
In the fall of 2018, there was even a fight where Russ’ security roughed up
Smokepurpp but Russ later said the two settled it.
RUSS: Me & Purpp got on the phone the other day and squashed it.
JACQUES: But there is definitely still some bad blood - notably Purpp’s verse on Russian
rapper Kizaru’s August 2019 cut, “Deep End.”
JACQUES: As well as Russ saying a month prior that Purrp and Pump are using hip-hop negatively.
RUSS: They’re using that as a marketing tool to be buffoons.
JACQUES: Russ broke down that controversial tee on a “For The Record" in 2018.
ROB: I just want to be clear you're not making fun or light
of people with real addiction problems?
RUSS: No!
That's the thing that shirt was never meant for that.
JACQUES: But in another interview, Russ added that he believes these artists are setting
a bad example.
RUSS: Let's pop a Xan on camera..
Now you're making a game out of substance abuse in order to gain notoriety.
And you're not realizing what it does to kids.
If you don't realize what it does to kids, you're wrong.
And if you do realize what it does to kids and you're still doing it, you're still wrong.
JACQUES: So the message might be coming from the right place but the packaging is faulty.
RUSS: My delivery is harsh.
The personality is abrasive it’s very in your face.
I get it.
JACQUES: His way with words -- or lack thereof -- and what he's saying pisses people off
-- like his 2017 comments about hip-hop producers.
RUSS: Rappers are not making the music.
You gotta blame the producers.
Producers are making wack shit.
JACQUES: When these statements went viral a year later everyone from Kizzy to Cardo
to Metro Boomin had something to say but especially Southside.
SOUTHSIDE: You runnin’ yo’ mouth a little too much nigga like you really ‘bout that
bullshit you ain’t bout none of that bullshit.
JACQUES: And to all that Russ had a simple reply.
RUSS: I was talking about anyone who makes wack beats.
So if you responded I assumed you think you make wack beats.
JACQUES: And this comes from a man who considers himself a DIY pioneer.
JACQUES: Russ is a successful artist with numerous platinum singles and many sold out shows--
a situation he’s spoken about.
RUSS: I got the exact deal that I wanted.
I think that is super important for artists to understand that you know go in there with
leverage so you can dictate.
I went in there and got a profit split.
JACQUES: And even that is a little touchy.
ELLIOT: Why do you think your success makes certain people uncomfortable?
RUSS: because I rub my success in people’s faces.
That’s why it's annoying.
It’s like being Tom Brady and every interview you’re doing with their rings on.
JACQUES: Russ has used his platform to speak on the racial ills of the music industry,
tweeting in June 2019 quote.
JACQUES: And that drew some criticism - notably from YouTube commentator Shawn Cee.
SHAWN: Making it seem like he stands aside from the
struggle, but you’re acknowledging that if he stands aside from the struggle you’re
somehow in more of a well off a position than the people he’s acknowledging.
But you’re still doing nothing.
So why is it that you’re talking about this thing to such a degree.
JACQUES: Russ noted on the latest “For The Record” that it is his job to speak out
about these matters as a white rapper.
RUSS: White silence is pro racism.
'Cause the reality is that, black people didn’t start racism.
White people started it so white people have to fix it.
JACQUES: However because of how he tends to speak out, people eventually tune out
-- something Guapdad 4000 pointed out on “Prada Process.”
JACQUES: The two fought over these bars at a festival in October 2019, and Guapdad later
tweeted quote.
RUSS: I care as little about him as I did
three weeks ago.
I don’t care.
The whole thing is like when people are like, Oh!
Well you could’ve ignored him, well you know who else could’ve ignored me?
Is him.
JACQUES: But there are people who aren’t ignoring Russ - in fact, thousands of them.
CHELSEA: I don’t see anything but him talking positively, trying to help others, and people
who are trying to get him to recognize their music.
JACQUES: Genius spoke to a few Russ fans about why they love the guy so many love to hate.
DEVONTAE: My homie put me on back in early 2016, he showed me the song “Pull the Trigger,”
I thought it was filthy.
NORA: My favorite song from Russ has to be “Manifest.”
JACQUES: They cite his positivity as one of their favorite aspects of Russ.
WALTER: Russ is always tweeting and advising people and telling people to fix their lives,
which is the truth and I know people hate to hear the truth.
JACQUES: And they turn a blind eye to the shade Russ’ receives online.
DEVONTAE: He’s obviously doing something right so, let those who hate, hate.
JACQUES: And as Russ shared with us, to him, all press is good press.
RUSS: at the end of the day, I’m very grateful for my ‘haters,’ because y’all are my street team.
You feel me?
So it works out.
JACQUES: Russ appears to be in a better headspace with this new album, so we’ll have to see if that lasts.
JACQUES: I’m Jacques Morel with Genius News, bringing you the meaning and the knowledge
behind the music.
Peace!