Biography
Russ Vitale built a career as a melodic rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer whose catalog includes several albums that reached the upper tier of the Billboard 200. Emerging from the Atlanta underground throughout the 2010s, the New Jersey native issued a steady stream of independent projects that fans could download at no cost. After signing with Columbia Records in 2017, he delivered his breakthrough release, the platinum-certified Top Ten album There's Really a Wolf. Subsequent efforts Zoo in 2018 and Shake the Snow Globe in 2020 both entered the Billboard 200’s Top Five, followed by the companion projects Chomp and Chomp 2. In 2022 the hit single “Handsomer” and the EP If Not Now, When? appeared, while the full-length Santiago arrived the next year. Additional singles continued into 2024, among them the double A-side “That's My Girl”/“Tired” and the track “SSX Tricky.”
Drawing early influence from 50 Cent and Eminem alongside the classic rock records he heard growing up, Vitale picked up multiple instruments, learning guitar from his father. He briefly attended Kennesaw State before forming the collective and label Diemon. His output alternated between boastful modern hip-hop tracks and atmospheric R&B ballads, unified by laid-back melodic hooks. Word-of-mouth momentum and coverage in both alternative weeklies and major rap outlets gradually expanded his audience. Momentum accelerated in 2015 and 2016 through recordings such as “Losin Control,” “What They Want,” and “Pull the Trigger,” which ranked among his strongest early successes.
Columbia released Vitale’s major-label debut, There's Really a Wolf, in 2017; the project, which included the previously mentioned singles, debuted inside the Billboard 200’s Top Ten and later earned platinum certification. Throughout the year he kept issuing singles, among them “Prosper,” “Maybe,” and “Lean on You.” The run of standalone tracks extended into 2018 and preceded his second Columbia album, Zoo. Featuring contributions from Rick Ross and Snoop Dogg, Zoo climbed to the Billboard 200’s Top Five, supported by the singles “The Flute Song” and the platinum-certified “Missin You Crazy.” Later that year three additional Zoo outtakes were packaged as the EP Just in Case.
Following several non-album releases in 2019, Vitale opened 2020 with his third Columbia full-length, Shake the Snow Globe, which again reached the Top Five and spawned the charting single “Best on Earth” featuring Bia. That October he dropped the standalone track “Paid Off,” closing the year with the Chomp EP. Further singles arrived in 2020 and 2021, including “Take You Back” with Kehlani and “Ugly” featuring Lil Baby. Chomp 2 followed in December 2021, carrying appearances by Ransom, Jadakiss, Mozzy, and additional guests. In 2022 the streaming success “Handsomer” preceded the EP If Not Now, When?
Early 2023 brought another batch of singles, among them “Put You on Game” and “Nasty.” The EP Chomp 2.5 led into the studio album Santiago, which included guest spots from Bibi Bourelly, Justin Nozuka, and Rexx Life Raj. “Said It Freestyle” rounded out the year. Throughout 2024 Vitale issued multiple tracks such as “Drives,” the DJ Premier collaboration “Work This Out,” and the double single “That's My Girl”/“Tired,” while also appearing on Will Smith and Jaden’s “WORK OF ART” and Jelly Roll’s “Really Gone” before releasing “SSX Tricky.”
Drawing early influence from 50 Cent and Eminem alongside the classic rock records he heard growing up, Vitale picked up multiple instruments, learning guitar from his father. He briefly attended Kennesaw State before forming the collective and label Diemon. His output alternated between boastful modern hip-hop tracks and atmospheric R&B ballads, unified by laid-back melodic hooks. Word-of-mouth momentum and coverage in both alternative weeklies and major rap outlets gradually expanded his audience. Momentum accelerated in 2015 and 2016 through recordings such as “Losin Control,” “What They Want,” and “Pull the Trigger,” which ranked among his strongest early successes.
Columbia released Vitale’s major-label debut, There's Really a Wolf, in 2017; the project, which included the previously mentioned singles, debuted inside the Billboard 200’s Top Ten and later earned platinum certification. Throughout the year he kept issuing singles, among them “Prosper,” “Maybe,” and “Lean on You.” The run of standalone tracks extended into 2018 and preceded his second Columbia album, Zoo. Featuring contributions from Rick Ross and Snoop Dogg, Zoo climbed to the Billboard 200’s Top Five, supported by the singles “The Flute Song” and the platinum-certified “Missin You Crazy.” Later that year three additional Zoo outtakes were packaged as the EP Just in Case.
Following several non-album releases in 2019, Vitale opened 2020 with his third Columbia full-length, Shake the Snow Globe, which again reached the Top Five and spawned the charting single “Best on Earth” featuring Bia. That October he dropped the standalone track “Paid Off,” closing the year with the Chomp EP. Further singles arrived in 2020 and 2021, including “Take You Back” with Kehlani and “Ugly” featuring Lil Baby. Chomp 2 followed in December 2021, carrying appearances by Ransom, Jadakiss, Mozzy, and additional guests. In 2022 the streaming success “Handsomer” preceded the EP If Not Now, When?
Early 2023 brought another batch of singles, among them “Put You on Game” and “Nasty.” The EP Chomp 2.5 led into the studio album Santiago, which included guest spots from Bibi Bourelly, Justin Nozuka, and Rexx Life Raj. “Said It Freestyle” rounded out the year. Throughout 2024 Vitale issued multiple tracks such as “Drives,” the DJ Premier collaboration “Work This Out,” and the double single “That's My Girl”/“Tired,” while also appearing on Will Smith and Jaden’s “WORK OF ART” and Jelly Roll’s “Really Gone” before releasing “SSX Tricky.”
Albums

SANTIAGO
2023

If Not Now, When?
2022

CHOMP 2
2021

SHAKE THE SNOW GLOBE (DELUXE)
2020

SHAKE THE SNOW GLOBE
2020

ZOO
2018

There's Really A Wolf
2017
Singles

Legend Named Russ
2025

In The Dirt
2024

Russ - Live with Strings From Paris
2024

Drives
2024

Said It Freestyle
2023

CHOMP 2.5 (EP)
2023

Fall For You (Cover)
2023

Fire
2023

NASTY (All Versions)
2023

NASTY (Extended Version)
2023

NASTY
2023

Gimme Love
2023

3:15 (OG, Slowed Down + Reverb, Sped Up)
2023

Can't Get This Right
2023

PUT YOU ON GAME
2023

Home
2022

Too Much
2022

BET
2022

Last Night (Slow)
2022

Last Night
2022

That Was Me
2022

Are You Entertained
2022

Cold Wind Blows Freestyle
2022

Yes Sir
2022

HANDSOMER (Extended Remix) (Feat. Ktlyn)
2022

HANDSOMER (Remix)
2022

WHAT ARE YALL
2022

Real
2022

HANDSOMER
2022

Remember (Remix) (Feat. Hailey Knox)
2022

Remember
2022

Losin Control, Pt. 2
2021

Seduce (Feat. Capella Grey & Tamae)
2021

When This Was All New
2021

Utah Freestyle
2021

Can't Let Go
2021

THINKTOOMUCH
2021

When I'm With You
2021

ITALY
2021

Knock Em' EP
2021

MISUNDERSTOOD
2021

Splash Out 3.0
2020

Cramp Twins (feat. Buni)
2020

GRAMMY BAG FREESTYLE
2019

OLD DAYS
2019

CROWN
2019

RENT FREE
2019

SUMMER AT 7
2019

PARANOID
2019

Missin You Crazy
2019

Link Up (feat. Chucks & JB)
2018

Lightwork Freestyle, Pt. 2
2018

Jack in the Box
2018

Most Wanted
2018

Trap Not Carni (feat. Taze)
2018

Usual Suspects (feat. Taze & C2)
2018

Chatty Patty
2018

Serious
2018

The Flute Song
2018

Boom Flick
2018

Tell Me Why
2018

September 16
2018

Don't Fall For It
2018

Dangerous
2018

Back To Life
2018

Splash Out 2.0
2018

Lightwork Freestyle (feat. Taze)
2018

Some Time
2018

Alone
2018

Flip
2018

Lean On You
2017

Prosper
2017

Think Twice
2017

Maybe
2017

Wife You Up
2017

Cherry Hill
2017

Losin Control
2016

Pull The Trigger
2016

Do It Myself
2016

What They Want
2015
