How RUSS makes more than $100k per week

Interviewed my boy Russ
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DISCOGRAPHY: genius.com/artists/Llmind
Ramon "!llmind" Ibanga Jr. is a 2x Grammy Winning/10x Grammy Nominated multi-platinum music producer who's worked with artists such as Kanye West, J Cole, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce & Jay-Z, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Romeo Santos, Lin Manuel Miranda (Hamilton + Moana) 2 Chainz & many more. He is the founder of "Blap-Kits", a series of "beat-making" tools available for music producers which eventually helped pioneer the now multi-million dollar per year "drum kit & sound pack" industry. As a consistent advocate and voice in the music production world, his weekly podcast "Illmind Put The Loop On" boasted a die-hard music producer driven following, including industry special guests such as Boi-1da, Murda Beatz, Ryan Leslie, Russ, Brian Michael Cox and many more. He is also known for traveling to various cities, bringing together up-coming music creators in "secret studio locations" to network, vibe, play music & engage in their creative community.
In 2021, Illmind introduced a new side to his business by engaging with WEB3. He released the first ever "sample pack NFT" which sold for 4.5 ETH ($9,000 at the time) and sent a shockwave in the industry, built a metaverse recording studio (for VR meet ups) and launched his coveted pfp project Squad Of Knights NFT, boasting collectors/members such as Gary Vee, Rob Markman, Altcoin Daily and many web2/web3 industry vets.
Illmind Social Media:
/ illmindproducer
/ illmindproducer
/ therealillmind

[@jsansimusic]

bro when he said "im a business and my songs are my salesmen" my jaw dropped... i've never heard such a perfect analogy.

[@OutTheMudGangTv]

That's how I always felt. The songs are the jingle to your business

[@jsansimusic]

UVHD i agree bro.. genius way to think about it

[@jsansimusic]

Meexi when it comes to music and marketing, this man is a genius.

[@tylormaurer845]

It literally made me revisit every song I had tossed haha

[@jsansimusic]

Tylor Maurer yeah that was amazing lol

[@ThaCypher]

Time Stamps: 00:04:50 - Owning your own shit 00:08:34 - Producer Starter Kit 00:13:18 - Business side of owning your tracks 00:17:30 - Saturating the Market 00:19:58 - Ideas for Up-and-coming Producers 00:37:58 - The Real Business 00:42:27 - Fool-Proof Method 00:45:55 - Question for Up-and-coming Artists.. 00:47:30 - Spotify Hack 00:49:38 - Don't do this 00:53:17 - Fuel to keep going 00:55:43 - Russ plays Ill Mind Beat 00:57:31 - Guitars - Cheat code 01:02:50 - To all artists 01:08:41 - Song Writing 01:16:56 - The Steps 01:19:06 - Russ' Setup 01:30:43 - Producer Battle Announcement 01:33:03 - How it works 01:38:04 - Actual start of Producer Battle 01:43:12 - End of Battle - Judges Deliberate 01:49:02 - Russ's final thoughts [for producers]

[@luislastname]

Cypher Heads god bless

[@arksenigma6883]

thank you man

[@907Ronald]

Thanks for this.

[@ThaCypher]

@@luislastname 🙏

[@KRXNARK]

Yo this is it, thank you so much

[@lolzforlunch]

Im not really a fan of Russ the artist but goddamn im a fan of Russ the music industry manager, amazing insight into an industry not a lot of people talk about openly

[@TrendsetterMusicOnly]

Hey you said what I said only you said it better!

[@asarduvall483]

Because most of the shit he says is common fuckin knowledge

[@13days13]

Great comment. i agree. Not a fan of him either but never knew this side about him, really cool

[@AcruxWav]

@@asarduvall483 Its great to hear it from someone who's made it tho

[@theprime95]

@@asarduvall483 if it was common knowledge, he wouldn't be the only artist doing what he does as an independent artist

[@boardbgable]

i feel like russ could charge money for this sheit for real. I got mad inspired just by how transparent and easy he makes it all sound. Big ups

[@jacksonmade3667]

The formula works itself out then. Not every song will be a hit, but the awareness of your releases will hype the hits, and you capitalize off that, and even then, your hits will bring MORE awareness to your “ok” tracks, AND your past catalogue. It looks like a solid numbers approach 🤔✊🏽

[@SoloNtuneOfficial]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hp-xh4eQjpiLr68

[@rizzleriz4457]

I'm from Jamaica, I don't know this Russ dude but from the moment he mentioned Napoleon Hill and Deepak Chopra, i figured he ain't normal. Excellent info here. Russ, you're a very smart man. Thanks Ill.M for bringing this across.

[@avocadomann2373]

You have to check out his music. It’s so dope

[@SandStormXII]

✅✅✅

[@tommygonzales1752]

Yup, he isn't like all these other rappers. He's actually spiritual.

[@Zallad97]

def not fabricated. anyone whose successful went through the exact process the books describe whether they were conscious of it or not. he just made money of attempting to explain a higher level metaphysical process in simple english terms. and while not everyone understands it. there are many successful today that do. so I cant see how hes a con artist.

[@HiECorp]

a lot of people study napoleon hill and deepak, chill lol

[@paigedoes]

This helped me to change my thinking about "saturating the market" thing. So true that no one ever gets mad at their favorite artist for putting out too much music. Of course there is a lot of garbage out there and I don't want to add to that, so I just have to remember and rely on the skillset I already have (but will still improve) as well as my message which is definitely above trash.

[@kingcash48]

Over saturation comes with putting out very repetitive music with the same sound not too much

[@annastayziaa]

42:27 - 1) build up a catalogue 2) fans get happy 3) figure out what works quicker 1:16:59 - 1) home studio set up (own the means of operation at your home) set up was - baby bottle blue mic ($600) ... now he has two 10k mics. apple g duet (499) 2012 laptop with logic headphones (zenhizer 2 , rocket 8s or rocket 5s) ... he stopped using it on shake the snow globe.

[@VillaThaVillain]

You didn’t have to drop this for us. But if people take this serious they will be successful

[@6odmikey]

Check me out I just started

[@AikiraBeats]

Right I just started that rule of filming myself for video behind the scenes content smart move to make

[@AlphaWolfMusica]

When Russ said, "if your doing you, and living your truth then things are definitely working out! And you gotta have blind faith" I now feel like I could get along well with Russ, and I think we have alot of the same values! I wish you Russ, and Ill mind full success and safety for you and your family and friends thru these pandemic times! And you wanna collab hm email anytime! Al WOLF 🐺,

[@NativeOnes]

Definitely a volume game, but people also need to remember that his "volume" is also quality "volume". You can't just put out trash songs for pure "volume" and expect to make a living (as he does say in the video). Russ has it figured out, but he is also very talented, motivated and consistent.

[@theiggod6921]

Russ is consistently good... not very good, not great, but good! So his method will work for most!

[@100ghillie]

@@theiggod6921 opinion just like everyone is entitled to 😂

[@IAteFire]

@@100ghillie Right, like my opinion - the objectively correct one - is that Russ is trash

[@GoScience123]

I remember when I was studying for my SAT I would just go on soundcloud and play his entire discography cuz it was so long but so consistently just above average quality that it helped me focus lol. He's like a machine when it comes to making 5-6/10 tracks.

[@daviskniight5408]

what he says about producer's beats being too busy (too many sounds/ frequencies without leaving enough room for the vocals) is so fucking spot on. 💎

[@balajikannan3925]

huge respects to illmind and russ for doing this.True Gs

[@mogulmontage]

I'm 37 and I aint gone lie I MAY start uploading songs after listening to this 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@baleDELgavilan713]

Is never too late

[@cheeseburger1827]

i appreciate there not being 600 ads in this fr

[@freedomtobeintheknow-kryst9705]

I thank God I found this video of you and Russ discussing creating music. So many excellent ideas I've been looking for lately, subscribed.

[@nikolasdove]

I feel like the people that make a living on Splice or selling royalty free samples can do it with Russ' volume mindset. Each stem, each sample loop, each drum pattern or one shot is like a stream. Have volume on your sample library collection so that you can grow. Some people will buy a few one shots, some people download the whole pack, but I still the volume method can work on this too. I'm only a half hour in but this talk is great. Lots of awesome points.

[@rh7474]

Theoretically but it's harder. With streams all they have to do is listen. If somebody comes across your stuff and they're really feeling it, they may just leave it on shuffle and bounce through all your shit. Theres practically no commitment in comparison to paying for a sample.

[@tripledeuce]

russ drops gems everytime his mouth open (couple slips but we only human) mans just want everyone to believe in themselves and create their own profit avenues artists or non artists. so much respect

[@djmikeb420]

Russ dropping the truth, Illmind your chair is way to squeky. lol

[@faisal8815]

Also has loud ass AC. He always complains about it lol 😂

[@brandynbaggott8602]

I wish I never read this, I didnt even notice till I read your comment lol

[@AikiraBeats]

Facts like it was so loud

[@MERhiphop]

so many gems in this bro thank you. shoutout russ on that part about making hooks first. I always tripped about it but thats really where its at.

[@AllCowsEatGrassMusic]

Man I'm super grateful for this chat Super informative and inspiring 🙏🏾✊🏾💯

[@rambotharealest]

motivation to keep pushing my music. respect to both of yall man.

[@NoLoveManagement]

The “My songs are the salesmen, they sell me” analogy is a song within itself, Russ on point 😂🚫🧢 that’s 🔥 bro

[@KyleBeats_]

🔥🔥

[@Jesse-ex8hi]

Yo Kyle Man you a goat

[@piowave9489]

You inspired me to start bro! Hope to make a song with you next year. Keep inspiring man 🚀

[@SUBCHVRGE]

you up next tho

[@billyhunned6651]

Goat

[@sunpluck]

Pls can you turn off drip and its perfect ad for me?

[@kiaorionmusic2520]

thanks for droppin this ill. SUCH dope gems in here

[@yardenshakarchi6066]

man! you guys killed it. this talk was probably one of the best content i watched on youtube! really informing and a lot of insight.

[@RedimAmeti]

Who else would love if Russ and Illmind started a podcast together

[@tnygmusic]

Shhhh 🤐 that would be #1

[@nicolasgregoire76]

Topping

[@MicTorrance]

we NEED that, such good chemistry

[@816Zanny]

YOOO ILL MIND & RUSS GET ON THAT !!!

[@IasonXexakis]

YES! IT WOULD BE CRAZYY

[@Daviddosi]

2021 im going russ mode. right now 1500 followers Instagram and 13 monthly listeners on spotify. I will update here in a years time!

[@wzrdbeatzz4317]

Holding you to it bro

[@Daviddosi]

@@wzrdbeatzz4317 Appreciate it! Im 10 songs ready in the vault now. First music video and release in Juni!

[@wzrdbeatzz4317]

@@Daviddosi lets go bro 🔥🔥🤞

[@kolin98]

How you doing half way through?

[@nashse7en]

Bro you got a new sub. One of the best interviews so far. And i saw everything about Russ past 6 years until now.

[@Prophet-hv6ut]

Mad respect to whoever posted this, it was a gem

[@SideWalkUniversityTV]

This was gold. Love illmind and Russ' approach to creativity and business.

[@Times2Salute]

i have to come back every few months to re watch it , there so much good info in here , thank you to russ & ill mind

[@kaosaechao1740]

illmind thank you for everything that you do. Thank you for uploading this.

[@noahharrub4802]

so thankful for your content! Respect man!

[@RRAREBEAR]

one of my favorite interviews of all time. his mindset is 100% with where the industry is going. Legend. flood it!!!

[@SUBCHVRGE]

SO MANY GEMS IN THIS INTERVIEW. Damn. Listening to Russ give his 2 cents on the music industry behind the scenes is so worthwhile. THANK YOU ILLMIND!

[@skittelzmusic]

Great educational content ....much respect to Illmind 🙏🏽

[@jahissa]

I just stumbled on this and this was great content. Nice to meet you Russ, and III Mind

[@gonemachado]

loved this podcast im not one to listen to interviews too much but this was rlly helpful bc i n i loved the beat battle

[@hurric4n3ike]

Thank you for this upload, the game is ridiculous, been droppin weekly for 3 years and my music is finally hittin top quality. Being in the ‘gym’ is vital. Took years to learn to create quality music

[@michaeldrake98]

Wow, this is one of the most insightful videos i've seen on here. Russ & Ill Mind are both constantly dropping gems. Love it!

[@MDOTDASUPA]

Thank you @illmind and @russdiemon for dropping such gems!!!

[@comedystrip7026]

These were the greatest gems i’ve ever heard in one video on yt no joke, crazy🔥

[@regsounds22]

This is a fucking crazy valuable video for both artists and producers. Thank you Illmind and Russ

[@itsangelk]

I'm just a vocalist listening to this shit, in a space of artists. Much love and bless up to all. ❤ gems and passionate vibes all throughout. Thank You for the sesh!!!

[@UnbrokenKraft]

Really dope conversation. Sooooo manyyyy gems indeed!

[@mandosbeats]

I'm not interested in getting paid once or twice a year. Thanks bro. This is big

[@tommydowd7718]

Great video man! Loved all the great information! Also I liked the first beat better but I see what you’re saying it could never work with another artist over it.

[@aLr_boosh]

Always dope to hear Russ speak! He always drops plenty of gems. Looking forward to more conversations with Illmind! Boosh!

[@cleanhustle8607]

Watched the entire call and took notes. amazing value here thank you Russ thank you Illmimd

[@acealfa997]

Amazing content!! So much value was given 🔥

[@LeeTavMusic]

I’m a bassist/vocalist and I had no idea who these two guys were before this video; I’m still not even sure how this come up on my recommends... but wow 😯 thank you... I’ve been producing for a little while and the advice you both have given in this two hour vid is priceless. I had a strategy for an album release in the summer; the ideas and knowledge you have discussed are game changers and it doesn’t matter that I’m into Soul/Funk/Dance etc the principles are the same. Anyway, one of the best vids I’ve ever seen on YT, thanks again 👌😎

[@echothenatives]

Thanks for the gem on guitars! I've been playing guitar for 30+ years and tend to not use guitars on electronic based music. Time to switch it up :)

[@Emotionz223]

Wow thats crazy i already had that idea of putting prerecorded beat making videos out consistently for another reason ...but that let’s me know I’m on the right track thank you for the content and confirming my alignment with the universe

[@tunerbeats]

So much to learn from this, definitely appreciated

[@mantramusic5009]

Been waiting for this convo

[@sooesoss6063]

Finally found your page illmind... i subbed..

[@RadiumRecordsHollywood]

Great video guys! Appreciate ya'll sharing your experiences.

[@jericomontemple]

Thank you !LL

[@alleycat2697]

Young went crazy, I don’t understand how that’s not understood the music before your ears. It was so much going on while having a limited time with just one beat. Young went wild, don’t sleep on the competition too. I’m about to go replay that again.

[@GudXMusic]

Thanks again for all the tips and tricks !llmind! Golden words around 28minutes. Hope your family is doing great.

[@heatherprescott7]

Yooo you both are sooo dope this LOA momentum clicks heavy! Super grateful because I know facts I’ve had fomo as an artist and producer. #jewelsheredropped #fearlessrebel #momentum

[@jordanbaker1991]

I NEEDED THIS!!! Thank you!!!

[@pamelakristen]

This was filled with great info. Loved it! 👍

[@ReduceToAshesEnt]

Best interview ever. Going down as the most influencential interview in my career no doubt. #WillRememberItForever

[@jdaybeats1790]

This is full of gems. Thank you for the upload! 🙏🏼

[@theJustScience]

What an incredible discussion. Thanks for sharing! 🙏

[@Mysterygrimms]

Shoutout to Russ for the knowledge. Hopefully I can use and apply this information to sell my first beat lol.

[@JayBee6801]

This was the most inspiring thing I have watched in a long time... Bought the book and am going to read it after this... Thank you Illmind for this video and introducing me to a new source of inspiration.

[@TrendsetterMusicOnly]

Not the biggest fan of Russ' music but he is a guy I look up to and respect for his hustle and his openness about it. I am creating a business of my own, a company. And I need to think like he does to find success. I'm glad to have songs I created 100% myself that I can have all the revenue for if I can successfully sell them.

[@Kaotonix]

This is one of the best conversations on music ever. I will be releasing a song a week in 2021, I got almost a year's worth at the moment. Will document, let's see if this works and maybe one day I'll talk to Russ and illmind about it

[@YHWHWILLBEDONE]

How is going so far?

[@Kaotonix]

@@YHWHWILLBEDONE so far so good man, up about 48 subs on KZbin. It’s a slow process and lots of work but I love it. Song 7 comes out tomorrow. What I’ve learned is that the one song a week isn’t really about the algorithm like it used to be, but it’s more about the pace of iteration that’s super valuable and makes the biggest difference.

[@Kaotonix]

@@YHWHWILLBEDONE U also are plugging yourself into other people’s weekly habits, and it’s an exponential effect that starts VERY slow with most of the results coming from the last 90% of the tail end

[@YHWHWILLBEDONE]

@@Kaotonix That's what's up my man keep grinding i'm going to check out your page too.

[@Kaotonix]

@@YHWHWILLBEDONE thank u bro I’m trying to do this experiment so that if it works I can try to help others too - let’s see what happens

[@fbi6555]

Russ is just that guy that approached music by listening to his gut and the voice in his head that said keep going. We all have both, but not choosing to listen is what separates us.

[@keileeza]

We need more discussions between two creatives like this. No mediator just real conversations about the art & business of music.

[@Cinematicus86]

So much fire gems in this one video, it has inspired me to subscribe.

[@DISLautomatic]

Russ' advice in the past played a role in me going from putting out a project every year or so, to last year putting out a new song/beat every week, and my Spotify grew 400% in 2020. I'm totally independent, own all the means of production...I'm not a popular artist, but I'm making a decent lil chunk of change (for my standards) every week. And the best thing is seeing it grow exponentially every week, as long as I keep putting out music. It's an effective method, but definitely takes commitment, time, energy, hard work and talent.

[@SolarHeavy]

Facts. Your music is digital real estate, and you need to think of this as a long term game

[@JordanBarone]

00:56:42 Illmind's chair squeaking while the beat is playing should be put into the beat lol

[@Blessedk1ng1]

Russ who i would work with im independent and I drop everday and it feels good to know you full creative control and can drop music whenever you want

[@norvenerbeats220]

Great information here man!! Top bloke!

[@OGRScintilla]

A lot of artists needed this rn

[@1wayirv]

Great Info love this channel

[@YeahMyNameIsSheldon]

Bruh I'm so glad i watched this, how many look at the fact that this is 2 hrs and skip it? I feel bad for those who didnt get this knowledge! More power to you Russ, Thank You

[@chrisjohnson1225]

Thanks dudes!! This is very informative!!

[@Beatsbyend]

Straight gems 💎 Many thanks to you Illmind for this

[@MrInfinityCinema]

bless and love man, russ is a good dude, giving back is what its all about baby

[@Grigga]

Great video! Thank you for sharing!

[@RajBeats]

My fellow producers....master ownership % in final record is where its at. Trust me. Great video !llmind & Russ thank you for the gems fellas

[@unklericky579]

Thanks for this G

[@calebt2778]

Youre so motivating dude.

[@tecnica-de-voz]

Interesting information, but it is relative. Not every one has to "make it" following this blueprint. Think Jacob Collier, a fellow with an unprecedented talent that didn't need to flood the internet with songs on a weekly basis. He just got people's attention coz his music is outstanding. But I can see this guy's point, volume worked out well for him in the end.

[@Bloodhound_Dogg]

Bro...jacob collier is boring..maybe because i play multiple instruments I don't know...but there's no rythym and no message in his songs....and they are drawn out and boring. But to each his own

[@jojomckinney645]

Even if you don’t look at the volume aspect, I think what he mentions about just making sure you own your music and aren’t dependent on some sort of label is the more important value

[@cavaliib1889]

Bro you've made a very good point I agree

[@ExtremeTG]

Oh so play 8 different instruments simultaneously and create harmony using audience voice in ted talk and you should become big. Jacob is one of the most talented musician, while there are mumble rappers out who are making more in a month than jacob will make in decades

[@hateyouwithapassion1]

I think the volume approach wins over the "tedious release" approach as an up and coming artist. It's two fold, 1) you're little doing release experiments to learn new marketing/promo schemes and 2) volume usually means that you're learning and improving as you go... SPECIAL MUSICIANS are rare.....and it's rare to be noticed as special from ONE song...what you THINK is one song is really the result of high volume trial and error

[@SolStateMusic]

Thank you for sharing the truth!

[@SandStormXII]

Russ like “if you don’t come with a better conversation “

[@cheddaromero]

this was so important. thank you

[@morpheusbeats6493]

About the beat stealing thing one german producer once said "if someone steals my beats, my next beat will be so much better and he'll regret it, because if he steals it that means your beat was so good someone wanted it so bad"

[@diffrentvibestalk2em97]

This is dame dash wit a ponytail ...all facts with this one 💯💯

[@Prod.4Luv]

Thank you for this!!!

[@Iamdanybazz]

Huge respect to Russ. Love his ideologies

[@VicRoseOfficial]

Thank you for this incredible video!

[@raybp7512]

12:36 I like the idea of having an indie catalogue or own products and then fusing that with a Good major deal and every chance you get use the PR from the major deal to talk about your indie back catalogue/products that you own

i like how he was talking about verses and choruses because a lot of the times i write my songs linearly, like i start from the beginning and write all the way through and the hook comes to me after i finish the first verse.... i really need to start tryna write hook first xD