Russ

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.”