Russ Says Artists are Pretending to be Indie but are Secretly Signed to Labels

New Jersey-born rapper Russ recently sat down for an interview with VladTV, where he got real about artists pretending to be independent, and how he was able to get on in the industry without any connections. Russ explained that he takes real offense to artists pretending to be independent because he worked so hard to get where he is, and so do many other independent artists.
To hear Russ' full interview, hit the above clip.

[@Oldheadontheblock]

Russ the type of nigga that can't keep secrets

[@frankcamacho4897]

Trap God he the type of nigga that tells your girl you were flirting with another chick

[@officiallykayanna]

LMAOOOO

[@waltrza7683]

Trap God Russ the type to swear to God on his Unborn kids he won't tell your secret! Lmaoooo

[@King-xi5rq]

so he can snitch lol

[@wmurray003]

Kylie didn't "pull any strings" ....she just played his music because... SHE LIKED IT.

[@Lyriquebeats]

When she asked him about Chance the Rapper he smiled because Chance is one of the people claiming to be Indie

[@screamrad218]

He's secretly signed to a Major Label. Hence why he won a grammy.

[@unknownv8462]

*Indian

[@sauceobtainer2849]

@@screamrad218 You're saying hard work doesn't lead to success

[@thebuzzinc2757]

He’s independent as in he owns all his masters and publishing, he has a distribution deal with a major

[@sauceobtainer2849]

@@thebuzzinc2757 any websites you can link to prove this

[@BlackJohnnyCage]

His album is going to be titled Self Made Jewish Nigga.

[@dbzeehey2044]

BlackJohnnyCage W

[@BlackJohnnyCage]

Lo Divino Issa Joke just like your Rap Career.

[@waltrza7683]

Lo Divino Lmaoooooo. Damn right he ain't a Jew!

[@deymonehall9905]

money'mone:dats wassup

[@BlackJohnnyCage]

Omen Salt? I respect & shared his Video with My brother about his honesty! Vlad TV Comment section is hilarious & I like to join in on the fun.

[@jbmp1390]

Glad he said this because alot of people don't realize this shit. So many artists that appear to become popping out of nowhere and apparently "did it themselves" are full of shit. If you watch enough interviews and really listen, you begin to realize that when it comes to music pretty much everyone got to where they are because they had "connections", but they keep that shit behind the scenes.

[@tjohnson2591]

jbmp1390 he didn't pop out of nowhere like he's implying tho. His is a regular modern rap story. Flooded the net with songs, came across a celebrity who played his shit, got signed cuz he had a deep/decent catalog. That's how it goes. Jus cuz he started with low support doesn't mean he did it on his own.

[@TheNewGen08]

jbmp1390 Yep people forget ll about the machines behind the men.

[@AJeyMusic]

jbmp1390 I know I'm coming up by my self I don't have no label behind me everything I have I worked for it

[@lozicrazy]

T Johnson no nigga.... he has been writing mixing and producing for himself for 10 years. And he got 1.2 days worth of unused beats, only one to legit do it themselves

[@lozicrazy]

LandryFields fr?

[@kidpoloish]

He's not cocky, he's confident. lol you're suppose to feel like you’re the best.

[@karimbennett5651]

shakib rashid, Well, being the "best" does not necessarily mean winning the most Grammy's. Some artists that I consider to be the best in their genres have won only a few or no Grammy's, and they don't care. If he had said he wanted to be the "best" I would applaud that. But it's his saying that he wants to "win the most Grammys of all time" that is kind of a turn off.

[@carpito3264]

Karim Bennett What he meant by that is retards nowadays compare people's money and fame and how many awards they got and then they label them as 'Best' he said he wanted grammys cuz after that he would prove the retards wrong and they would then start dick riding russ and saying that he 'best' in the game and incase you didn't notice it yet russ already thinks he the best he said that grammy shit so he can prove others wrong one day

[@BuddaG438]

moody sighs Same difference

[@olivierjoseph2908]

shakib moody but he far to be the best so is just cringe

[@ZigDaKid]

his Dad is an expert in Marketing & Advertising

[@majinbull17]

Y'all know Chance ain't really independent...right?

[@CrazyStevo]

Exactly

[@ZigDaKid]

his Dad is an expert in Marketing & Advertising Russ's dad

[@Hussepapito]

Everybody that heard "hate" in this interview just ain't doing good in life smh

[@liondixon1156]

some people that worship this guy ain't doing too good in life either but at least we ain't foolin ourselves

[@SlayALLDay1979]

CLELovesYou spot on homie 👁🔮

[@nofeelx3008]

When he get rich like Chief keef then come talk to me

[@nofeelx3008]

@loganmorris339 he’s not sorry that you don’t comprehend that

[@shabazz360]

This is only HALF FACTUAL. Dudes are signed but their signed to independent labels. They not signed to majors. They have backing but not from corporations and shit so technically they can claim indie on some level.

[@EmantheHeartbreak]

And chance. No Problem is on rotation

[@dubem6671]

Eman the Heartbreak idk I feel like Chance is one of the ones who are secretly signed

[@EmantheHeartbreak]

It would've been exposed by now. Every one that's secretly signed you can find out online

[@dubem6671]

Eman the Heartbreak oh word? Where at?

[@june3732]

shabazz360 that's like calling an engine a motor, same thing man. Keyword "signed"

[@RochaOnTheTrack]

This is no secret. Industry plants been around for years

[@JoeDirtisawsome]

He should change his name to Captain Obvious

[@unknownv8462]

All the game Is a garden

[@hollyweird5967]

"The whole world is a stage and everybody's playing a part"-The Persuasions 🍿🎬🎥🎭🎪 all actors of MULTIPLE roles on the world stage

[@jfraz1992]

He's talking about other artists but I heard his music & it sounds like everybody else with that singing shit

[@MrFroggyMan]

jfraz1992 then you haven't heard his shit really

[@MrFroggyMan]

marvinxi15 like his most popular? uh, what they want. losin control. pull the trigger. do it myself. physco pt2

[@Munchkkinz]

so because he sings it makes him like every other artist that sings? lmao?

[@dbo7826]

Munchkkinz yes it actually does

[@mywallet7367]

marvinxi15 lately and titanic by Russ are actually pretty dope. Those are the only songs that I can bump consistently by him.

[@spudgotbeats7745]

Am I the only one who just hope he's not wearing jeans with that jean jacket.....

[@shawingo8757]

😂😂😂

[@ricardogonzalez-om4gn]

Ahahaha

[@shobeezy]

Guaranteed Russ smashed this interviewer. She's feeling him OD 😂🤐

[@Xmxx612]

Why is he talking like he's a rap veteran?

[@siz2344]

Who would wanna sound like a rookie?

[@WWeRockFan1001]

SONICdaGOON HE AINT.....HE DOING 5,000 CAPACITY VENUES....AND EVEN ARENAS....IF HE'S DOING THAT....AND ALL THESE ARTIST WIT BILLBOARD SINGLES CAN ONLY BEING 500 TO 1,000 PPL TO A SHOW.....then he can talk how he wants😂😂😂

[@lildraco5439]

WWeRockFan1001 he can talk anyhow he wants. He's not going to read your comment and stop talking how he wants so pipe Down

[@frankcamacho4897]

Deji Bashar god y'all are caping hard for this guy

[@coolguy-ze1gs]

He is a rap veteran. Writes all his songs HIMSELF, produces everything HIMSELF, mixes and masters HIMSELF and he released 9 mix tapes while other rappers like lil yachts and lil Uzi (no hate towards them Im a fan) release like one or two

[@TinuolaVictoria]

He is supposed to be confident in his craft and proud of his accomplishments, I don't fault him for that. But why Russ always talk like he's some rebel rap whistleblower exposing industry secrets when he literally doesn't say anything we don't already know? If bruh is too scared to call out names he should stop talking. He sound like he throwing subs at his ex on the TL.

[@JohnShoez]

Tinuola Victoria 😂

[@chrisfu92]

Tinuola Victoria lol

[@aibrainlet8041]

Tinuola Victoria my thoughts exactly

[@dominicstevens4499]

If she don't remember Ripley's Believe It or Not! she's too young for you

[@AndrewKarczewski]

Lol, she totally pretended to know what Ripley’s was ...but, it moved the conversation along...

[@vex19]

@@AndrewKarczewski This is the comment I came here for. It was so cringe when she pretended. He saw through that immediately.

[@SunnyRosalia]

I really like Russ music but he starting to sound like a hater on these interviews. don't let vlad do you like this bruh

[@wmurray003]

What's Vlad doing to him? he's answering these questions the way he wants to answer them.

[@itsobsessionnottalent1427]

Sunny Heartbreak He really ain't hatin. He lettin mfkas kno dat u got more power as an artist than u think and what the labels make u think

[@thomaskeeble8796]

I blame Vlad TV lol

[@Bidness100]

ItsObsession NotTalent Of Course You Create The Music No Music No Music Industry

[@mcrasp5623]

Dude's ALWAYS spittin' facts but, He sounds like Logic with an accent.

[@richblackkid2523]

hes fucking trash

[@bongwater..]

MC Rasp nah logic is 10x more humble

[@thelastdon9000]

This dude ain't spitting no damn facts

[@richblackkid2523]

@Jad Nashaat iam rich and got alot of money , russ is a wigga wanna be black

[@steelokey]

@ 4:20 when you're talking to someone about somethin' and they act like they know what you're talking about 😂

[@ANineOne]

Chuck Inglish been saying this for years now. In '08 when being independent was becoming trendy through My Space and the rest of the internet, The Cool Kids, Kidz in the Hall, the label's started presenting their artists as independent. That's when it started.

[@OrionSound]

@3:00 His boy was throwing these huge events all over the city...guess what Russ? You knew at least 1 person that helped get you on that stage.

[@Nostalgic-J]

i think he meant industry connections

[@dwillwilliams1240]

Labels are going to be like dinosaurs 🦕

[@Andu_music]

No they aren't. They are still the gatekeepers. Russ is just an anomaly. Name any other artist that had success and was financially stable as an independent artist not signed to a label and never signed to a label. Go ahead name some

[@babyfacenelson6157]

I feel Russ on this...migos was one of them chanting that independent shit but really signed under the table...Troy ave said the same thing on the breakfast club

[@chrisculpepper8509]

He saying real shit 💯

[@87alock]

"What They Want" is a banger

[@realb_austin]

I've been liking Russ more and more everyday

[@YoungDen]

I hope he still doing his thing a year or two from now

[@TheVulcan131]

3.5+ years later, still going strong.

[@EmantheHeartbreak]

She real live sounds like she's reading off note cards lol

[@Soace630]

Eman the Heartbreak well yeah...it’s an interview

[@QUiNTiNBANKS]

I never heard of him, but I will deff check his video's out.

[@jefflema5934]

Keep it 💯 bro all these hip hop

[@wugsayseatadck]

I'm glad he calling rappers out. I don't find him vain or arrogant, just not afraid to speak his mind and confident.

[@MacNifty]

You know when you are Indie and Unsigned when your stuff looks like mine. If I had a team of connects it wouldn't be so weak.

[@everettfanor1989]

Dame Dash- "Stop worrying about another man pockets". Every interview this dude is in hes complaining about how other rappers are doing their business.

[@rob879]

An interviewer asked him a question and he answered it honestly. how is that complaining?

[@kaylemerritt8599]

I don't understand how he's being cocky by telling you, instead of paying, signing off, doing crazy shit to get where he is, he worked his ass off, putting out a song a week! He has the right to speak of himself like this! He worked his ass off, no help. Respect👏🏼

[@keith.9833]

He's dope. I'm glad he's being real. you can't get mad at this man for giving his side on things.

[@taylorshields7091]

"there be 4 people in the crowd and I be LIT!!!" hahahahhaha right on my guy

[@victorbeardman1610]

Stop it Chad and focus on all your ladies 😎👀

[@AARONKAYE]

I never heard of this guy before but I like his energy. Anybody know his social media?

[@eyezictherapper]

@russdiemon

[@AARONKAYE]

THANKS!

[@eyezictherapper]

np

[@district1studios125]

Interviewer: "Yeah" Russ: "Yeah"

[@demarcusd1751]

Dude better shut up before he get blackballed lol he better learn how to play the game

[@EmantheHeartbreak]

Can't be blackballed when you have your own fanbase

[@Bob-gd4uu]

Internet is god

[@krazy4khrist132]

Asap Beats he has to many fans

[@krazy4khrist132]

Eman the Heartbreak truth

[@tubestuff4763]

Ever heard of drug or sexual misconduct charges?

[@YungSleepLacker]

Its facts tho.

[@yktfv2108]

Shut your fucking proper ass up..it's youtube..not a fucking english test.

[@ZigDaKid]

his Dad is an expert in Marketing & Advertising

[@009Raines]

Hoping for Averaging 1 million views on every new track u drop is UR Agenda but Respecting the Culture and following DA Guide is Mandatory ON SUM LEVELS EXACT TO IT

[@analisagomez140]

I'm so dead on dj ripley 😂😂😂 I can't believe he did that

[@ricardodiaz8612]

Bruh saying the same thing that troy Ave called Joey for

[@shaylangill8676]

Mindset on point

[@sntjhnsn]

He's signed to the same label as Adele, and Beyonce....Columbia Records. Yes very Independent!!!!

[@_jimmythesaint]

HES PARTNERED

[@remembers911]

Suppreme T.V and your point is

[@screamrad218]

He has a distribution deal with them. So, no he isnt signed with them smart one.

[@unknownv8462]

Called distribution FOR PHYSICAL CDS, but TUNESCORE do the digital distribuation !!!

[@a.b.3375]

Haven’t read up on him but with the leverage I think all he needs is just “distribution”.... that’s all he needs to do his thang!! Salute !

[@kingkessef6040]

I like this cat...and his attitude.

[@polomisty416]

I like the way u talk bro

[@RonellEvans]

" Am I not suppose to fuck with myself?" Real ass answer bro.

[@11JaydenHope11]

Sadly I see another Tupac incident happening after watching these videos.. And it sucks coz he's such a good artist! Rap about it, don't use an abuse your interviews because one day the big dogs will bite you back!! Stay smart Russ, Be safe xx

[@GreeceKelly]

Speak the truth. That's my kinda artist

[@ZigDaKid]

his Dad is an expert in Marketing & Advertising

[@GreeceKelly]

@@ZigDaKid So?

[@ZigDaKid]

@@GreeceKelly He said he came up not knowing anyone......He lied

[@dinosaurnora]

russ go hard 1st interview i seen

[@PunkyTheSingertv]

This is actually inspiring because it reminds me of me 🌹

[@ZigDaKid]

his Dad is an expert in Marketing & Advertising

[@dekoning2262]

All people who are saying he is arrogant are idiots What would you be like if you try to reach something everyday for 10 years long? and then you reach it you be proud of yourself full of confidence this dude sells out a european tour 2k people every show there aint many big rappers who can do that by themselves

[@mwase7782]

yes there are alot of big rappers can do that by themselves

[@escloncarter625]

where can I get this jacket?

[@PiscesRus]

He dropping knowledge

[@omarwar9294]

really started from the bottom

[@ZigDaKid]

he didn't his Dad is an expert in Marketing & Advertising

[@Mrgomodefr]

@@ZigDaKid so? What does that have to do with industry connections?

[@calebscalzo]

i been saying this for years as soon as chance hit the scene out of nowhere

[@LaCheleWallace]

I heard a song or two and they weren't bad, but realistically, you are take it or leave it (more so leave it), Russ. After I saw yo' videos, I forgot about you. It's hard trying to cut through the fluff.

[@MrCaptainNoodle]

people acting like having connections is bad shit if i had strings to pull id be low key flexin in my bars about it

[@SenneVorsselmans]

I KNEW HIM WHEN HE HAD 2000 VIEWS ON HIS VIDS! I'M THE ULTIMATE HIPSTER!!

[@grimeydadiamond4378]

Im next in my city. My movement is positive im gonna kill mumble rap and drug garbage agendas, ill lead right. Hear me out my city is showing me love and my phone blowing up with addicts needing help. Hear me out u sound like a loyal fan! I hope i get fans like u! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZDdiaucbNN_a7s

[@leislife6566]

There's so many of his lyrics in this video 😂😂😂☺️

[@PreemL]

2017 is Russ year

[@williamjuneau1135]

Weeknd is the best ever to go SoundCloud to mainstream.

[@lisabunne5935]

love his different colored eyes 💕💋

[@jdani]

3 years later. You get what you deserved bro🔥🚀

[@steelokey]

consistency.

[@Aten0506]

Russ is one of the best out right now

[@LandyOO5]

how much times does this homie blinks ?? on god lmao

[@isaiahvelasquez8436]

this is why I love you Russ

[@potat4998]

All these people in the comments saying he is too bitter😂😂 ya' all just can't handle how real he is. All the shit he's talking is the truth. Truth is bitter, eh? And he has every right to be confident. He worked his way to get there. The shit he has achieved isn't easy.

[@king27702]

this dudes music is lit

[@GRGXXXX]

I respect this guy

[@villadelrefugio]

DJ Screw is turning in the grave hearing ya boy talk about the "struggle " of indie artists today.

[@bohemianversace]

Every time I hear this nigga talking, he is either talking himself up or talking down on people. Real dope..

[@remembers911]

hisnameisaj facts

[@WisomofHal]

“I just be shittin on these people so much”. That’s where i’m trying to be at 💯

[@derekgood7769]

Drink how many times he says "like" you will be lit!!

[@RODIMMA]

legend.

[@Brother-Moe]

4:16 Ouch.

[@stephanieblock2543]

" Russ is cocky " " Russ is consumed by his ego" blah blah blah. Yeah he may be a little hyped about himself right now but that's the type of shit that happens when you put in non stop work for 10 freaking years by yourself with no other artist or record labels just you an support for family friends and fans and you start to finally get noticed. Like he's always seen himself as number 1 and people are starting to catch up with his mentality. I have mad respect for Russ. When I hear his music I get hype and it makes me feel confident it makes me remember to never give up on your dreams even if it takes 10 years of lonesome grinding with 800 ig followers. Everyone needs to find your Russ.

[@NaturallyHER]

Russ is SO handsome.. OMG. And his music is dope!

[@donaldd4136]

He knows that Chance is one is these “signed” artists pretending to be independent, so he didn’t want to say too much. You can see the look on his face. He don’t want to expose him but you knew that he knew.

[@oltob6707]

whatever you may think of russ's character, you must listen to his music because it is the best hip hop out there right now. I've turned some of my friends on to it and they all seem to like it too.

[@7thNoteOfficial]

✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

[@britanytran]

Was bazzi signed cause before he didn’t supposedly labelled his music with a label and when cosmic came out then it got labelled..

[@wmurray003]

"You're kinda competitive it seems..." ...yeah, compet deez....

[@NRLJAY]

You have to believe in yourself. your the king/queen of "your passion". your #1. thats the mindset to win with. Y'all downing him for feeling himself probably cause you not feeling yourself. If you were you'd be clicking thumbs up cause you feel how he feels.

[@enitanogundimu3144]

this guy talks the realest shit love u russ

[@Hizzoner21]

2:31-- I need for those two terms to completely disappear from life.

[@TheWildGiraffe]

You absolutely have a right to be cocky when you bet on yourself and it pays off. If you don’t believe in you who will?

[@ScizRgaming]

his song "manifest" is so fuckin good

[@lucidcollin]

Russ is a real one

[@jaimemeza1721]

respect

[@kaleolll5374]

People who doubt themselves cannot stand to be around a confident person.

[@thefranksons8882]

everybody hating on him for having confidence. mad respect for russ and his music is dope af you should listen

[@donovankushner6059]

Russ kept it real 💯k

[@THEKINGISHIM]

A boogie been signed to Atlantic before his song "That's My Shit" was released. he swears up & down he did it indie but the label been promotion & marketing him the whole time.

[@Thrillmania]

How old is he?

[@AnthonyY]

Bro...he keeps dropping these references to Chance and the connections that his Dad brought about for him.

[@heartbreakrichy5826]

Y'all so salty in these comments lol. Russ is winnin.

[@mwase7782]

Donald Blunt lol winning what

[@ZigDaKid]

his Dad is an expert in Marketing & Advertising

[@-tigs2775]

And he cold like... come on now

[@ce.2037]

Ima try to work for Russ