Russ Says Labels Don't Care About Numbers, It's Who You Know

Although it appears that today's artists needs to be packaged before stepping foot into a label, Russ says that's absolutely not true. The rapper who has applied himself and manifested his dreams to reality-selling out his own tours and most recently receiving his first gold plaque for "What They Want"-he admits that none of that matters when trying to grab a label's attention. "Y'all don't be selling music, y'all don't be selling tickets, and y'all don't be making dope music. So there must be some other finesse, facade, industry bullsh** going on."
As a newcomer, Russ admits that he's "over" the music industry; however, "loves being an artist in the industry" and not being an "industry artist." Check out the full interview to hear about the 300 songs he's produced, mastered, and mixed, his label allowing him to be so blunt, and why he sees Rick Rubin as Yoda.

[@shamoney5846]

He ain't cocky tho. When you truly believe in yourself ppl tend to think you are

[@natancopeincraft]

That was really well worded, damned right.

[@miketyler677]

Most young people are not used to or used to seeing a strong, confident man. Being cocky comes from these soft cakes out here!

[@busstopgirl8092]

This

[@bazzerk9202]

Like how else is a successful mindset suppose to think like besides ur gonna get it done no matter what?

[@DISLautomatic]

He's keepin it real. The truth always seems bitter to those who have only been fed "sweet" lies.

[@Diamiratrapbeats]

+PurelyAfrican fax

[@fahimak4390]

Big facts

[@richieblack5530]

Life in general seems to be based off of who you know

[@jonathanlavis7447]

Ricky Skiiwalker meet new people then

[@edwinkandjii4146]

@@Darriusleonard 💯👏

[@edwinkandjii4146]

@@jonathanlavis7447 👏💯

[@KROWN13]

It’s not bout who you know but how much ass you kiss reference Jaguar Wright!!!

[@sixnineteen387]

Facts bro.

[@makingmusiciskeepingmealiv9206]

this chick is intimidated by russes realness

[@youngcity4241]

FINALLY A RAPPER SAYING HOW SHIT REALLY IS

[@ksager123]

RA the rugged man did too

[@msawmusic]

He's telling the truth. Y'all fail to realize a lot of these rappers make OK songs, don't sell albums or singles and don't have a solid fan base. Yet they're signed. Granted most got signed off of 1 hit but usually the label was in on it from the beginning.

[@NVRSTP]

msawmusic he just sold out every single show on his tour by himself

[@someonedifferent4116]

This is all common sense and research. Nothing he’s saying is something new. Practically just repeating or reciting things he’s heard or read. Anyone can be woke.

[@gusdee4844]

Not even... take Silento for example... his song was blowing up and the label swooped in to make all that money when the kid could have probably made it independently. These artists dont stay signed lol

[@Mrgomodefr]

@@gusdee4844 exactly that happens to most signed artists

[@KingBabaJames]

@@gusdee4844 how do things his song got to blow up? It's because people help him in the background to make it blow up. There are so many songs better than hes. They didn't blow up.

[@fiascoworld8646]

She definitely shouldn't be interviewing

[@Cameraboy12144]

DMX said that industry shit forever ago

[@saucecompany4346]

Okay so??

[@rumham3070]

R.I.P DMX

[@deedeeglover4939]

And he knew.

[@Thought_it_up]

Lmao this interviewer is not even prepared to talk to somebody on his level.

[@Mrgomodefr]

Exactly she just stunned after every time he talks

[@manicbeats9356]

Russ be speaking the truth on a real one.

[@Natethoven]

He is telling the truth. I feel him. He did it legit.

[@gutter855]

he's very strong minded

[@jessegonzalez3061]

They fucked up letting Russ in the game he's too real 💯 y'all hating cause he exposing y'all favorite rappers lol

[@JoeDirtisawsome]

He ain't exposing shit. How is he exposing our favorite rappers when he isn't even giving names? He's saying shit that every other nigga has said. He's not talking about anything new

[@hiphopppxd7376]

He can't expose shit. He just saying thid to make people rock with him lol.

[@someonedifferent4116]

He’s just repeating and reciting research. Anyone can find out shit. So chill bruh, Russ is only making small waves. He may sell out a 2000 person venue, but nothing he’s saying is anything new! So again, chill.

[@garrettwright6466]

Russ the truth

[@SPRINGRAPTURE]

Lord protect Russ... we know what happen to people with this kinda attitude in the industry

[@IKARIking67]

Right. He is Sicilian, and I know he said he grew up broke, but he better be connected. He's blowing the doors wide open in plain sight without any editing, so I am very concerned. Nipsey was doing the same and had protection, only to be hit by a real, medically diagnoseable psychopath. I guess that's exactly what it took to get to a real one. I can already tell that me and Russ would talk shit stress free for hours...then later when we're sober, possibly talk about the future of business.

[@Iammikeyrivers]

SPRING RAPTURE 2019 lord?

[@marcsondlucce]

You can tell the interviewer wasn't prepared for that answer and she is reluctant to accept it as reality.

[@hiphopppxd7376]

Nah she just wasnt prepared to waste 10 minutes of her life by him talking about the same shit over & over

[@thatniggaghost83]

The way he be talking you would think he got 3 classic albums LOL

[@AFIGHTCHANNEL]

William Anderson lmaoo

[@iamfortifiedofficial]

William Anderson For Real 😂😂😂

[@AlexWordu]

William Anderson fr tho

[@almighty5492]

William Anderson you don't have to have 3 classic albums to talk like that, he on the top 10 billboards. And he sell out shows on his own. He already know the business. Just cause he isn't on radio or. Known to the world doesn't mean he doesn't know what he talking about. He's in the industry 😂

[@almighty5492]

david d nobody asked you to comment dumbass

[@RALF0691]

Russ can pass for Seth Rollins brother.

[@thatniggaghost83]

June Amarillo LOL

[@KimarKurosaski]

June Amarillo W

[@AlexWordu]

June Amarillo Or maybe Enzo Amores cousin

[@dirteeexsweatpants1569]

June Amarillo Roman reigns before the wwe

[@sosafreeman3143]

Lmaoooooooooooo

[@kshowl13]

I was turned off by what he said about producers being to blame for wack music but I checked out his music and dude has TALENT

[@datgurlrayray93]

this interview is everything 😍🤗💖 since 13 years old just watching the industry unfold is wild

[@SP-mf9sh]

I agree it's all about connections, he's telling the truth about that. It's who puts out

[@Origamibeats]

the second half of this interview was awesome

[@gustavosifuentes3991]

🙏🏼 origami !!!

[@BeQuietEntertainment]

Ima check it out, thanks for the heads up

[@bleedwolf5]

He ain't the first to expose the industry and won't be the last. He is arrogant, but tells the Truth!

[@BlackJohnnyCage]

The Rap Game is so watered down out of all the Rappers we have this Dude from Boy Meets World keeping it 💯 with us....

[@stack5960]

BlackJohnnyCage Real talk 😂🔥😩

[@dantedennis1406]

I appreciate the honesty. Because I don't get shows or shoutouts like I should. I thought it was my look or persona. But I'm not buddy buddy with industry people in my city

[@salt7addie]

Not just labels Russ, in all walks of life. My dad told me, that it's never what you know' but only who you know and others just get lucky😂😂.

[@manuelvenegas9645]

This dude is super dope.

[@hiddenking4840]

never heard of him ...but after watching this ...checked his music ...dude really is fire...also realized I've heard his music on late night mix shows.

[@kbjworldpromotions6865]

Smart man..... i bet these fools wont listen just kuz they don't hear him on the radio 30 times a day. Spit that truth bro.

[@AF-jn5io]

what a humble guy

[@TiciTotyTony]

Aaron J lols!!!

[@CloudyShinobi]

Russ is way too real for this fake ass in this room🙌👏💯

[@525films]

Dropping gems. These young artists need to pull out their pen and paper n take notes

[@TuniBelghith]

Written, Produced, Mastered, Directed by Russ haha

[@Josephxchosen]

one thing I love about Russ is he always keeps it real lol I respect that

[@Fbk_25]

I am fan of him since 2014. But after this interview i like him even more. His personality is just unique and he's so honest and hilarious at the same time XD

[@RashBoogieTV]

"Why Nate Dogg?" Stupidest question ever asked...

[@EjnrTV]

one of the realest interviews I've seen in a long time.

[@emiloluwafejayeoba1476]

A lot of people only see what goes down on the surface...this guy is speaking some deep ass shit...I know the struggles young artist go through to even get airway play. Its not easy to sell out a show of 100 talkless of a thousand single handedly..This guy is not arrogant or cocky he is just making us aware of what goes down behind the curtains and ultimately showing that hard work pays off. You will be suprised the amount of artist who are just bullshitting us.

[@danielvelazquez2995]

He's Speaking The Truth. If its tied to who you know, then its all about networks that manipulate the outcome of Music. Music should embedded passion With sales, versus anything and sales.

[@THEBIGGESTSCUMBAG]

This dude using the same toothpick in every interview lmao

[@andresciahooten9598]

😂😂😂😂

[@estudioesm]

he has a little box of toothpics, he pulls it out in one of the interviews haha

[@xavierclarkxoxo]

Russ is the realest person iv heard talk FRFR

[@renaldopowers5624]

Russ dude just keep doing yo thing! You were the a lotta major artists want to be. Keep the middle man outta of it. Stack yo paper!

[@BehindThatSuit]

When he said Linkin Park, I got super happy. Russ, is the realest dude I've seen in the game yet.

[@teemoneysig]

This nigga looks like the saltbae dude!! Love his hustle and mindstate

[@techbrah9943]

Terry Grady right haha

[@flymoneyhighmoney3564]

U not conscious so u not gonna know what he's talking about

[@theamethyst93]

Fly Money, High Money "conscious" lmao

[@DontKillDex]

Fly Money, High Money ur gay so u wont know what hes talking about

[@someonedifferent4116]

Dude, this stuff, literally, can be repeated a 100x over. Just spun a different way. Russ is only woke to the amount of what people are speaking of. Now if he was really woke, like on some Never before seen type shit, he wouldn’t be popping, that’s for damn sure.

[@garrettwright6466]

"...cuz ppl gonna' tell me to calm down, and I'm like chill the fuck out." This man the truth.

[@someonedifferent4116]

Garrett Wright KRS-one, now dude is woke and hip-hop. Russ is just Russ. Sorry man.

[@carolinacarolina9705]

if y'all never seen his concert videos... his concerts are lit the crowd steady sings along to not one but all his songs that he performs...he is a very nice an humble guy he actually hands waters out to fans before he performs....and I don't think he's bragging that he's so famous and rich what he's trying to get at is that he sold out shows on his own with no one's help for a person that's starting up and his fans are real fans.

[@kharyrobertson3579]

I feel you Russ, but I am always dubious of people who repeat themselves. You articulate yourself well enough, no reason to keep making the same point over and over.

[@ronnie3613]

This lady interviewing seems hella dry. She asks Russ a question, he responds kinda in a lengthy way. Her response: "Yeahhhhh."

[@Steezy_Sully]

he's mad smart

[@dequansworld9430]

If you can't see he real and not in his ego, it's you! Work on you n you'll see.

[@frankcamacho4897]

Dequan Washington stfu

[@keyztothesoul1755]

I think sometimes if a song is big enough labels will find you. At the same time he's right if you know somebody you're in regardless of followers or not

[@EjnrTV]

He's telling the truth. Kinda cocky. but he being real.

[@stack5960]

manifergi he not cocky just confident

[@miketyler677]

Cocky? How?

[@Mrgomodefr]

How is he cocky tf

[@gustavosifuentes3991]

More like fed up

[@AllenVick82093]

Damn he going at Yatchy hard asf 😂😂😂💀💀💀

[@blankavatar76545]

🤣🤣🤣

[@JudahBarrnes]

Respect his honesty

[@johnchaney8985]

russ the truth

[@Kevo-vt5di]

Russ is the man. I hear the mainstream music today and it is sad as fuck. Keep doing what you doing.

[@geekaleek]

If The Weeknd was talking like this after his 3 Mixtapes, i would understand it. But this guy 🤔

[@almighty5492]

Adriano he know the industry he's in it and been in it for a while. He knows who's selling out tickets and who don't. He has like 11 mixtape/albums and been on top 10 billboards more than the trendy guys could do. He been around all this stuff to say it.

[@gustavosifuentes3991]

Comparing to today, he’s really toned down his “attitude” he’s way happier now especially bc he’s winning even BIGGER Been a fan of Russ since “Tsunami” 🌊

[@jahiasad]

LOVE THIS DUDE!! SPEAK ON IT BROTHA....PLEASE!

[@americanrroyalty]

This is guy is legit no bullshit at all.

[@Raven_Sekou]

Russ honest, truth, straight- forward. I respect that from anyone.

[@CrownSuave]

The interviewer sounds lost🙄 Nate Dog was that dude!

[@BlackKingBaby911]

I could listen to russ all day he seems like a good guy and he speaks facts 💯

[@nicebars]

this dude's a badass..

[@Texasheisman]

Judging by where he is in life I think he is smart af

[@carsonmorton1095]

he is confident because he can be! to me he has earned his respect.

[@Paradoxchannel]

Thanks for the knowledge

[@twitch491]

All about who you know and who you blow.

[@JayPrinceReacts]

This women wasn't ready for this interview lmao

[@weirdcityboi]

Low key I opened up for Russ at a Sig Ep fraternity party right before he blew up and had a lot of respect for his grind but he seems to have lost all sense of humility and it's hard to respect that. Whether or not you're winning I feel like you should always present yourself in a likeable manner because anything is bound to change.

[@KAPODABOSSDON]

New young PAC when it comes to being real to the people 💥💥💥👍🏿

[@therealprincehines]

Watching this is in 2022 is crazy… he had 300 songs back then

[@justfirenationtv2971]

Facts of life 💯💯💯

[@Sin.Atonement]

Came across this guy recently, he did it properly

[@BellaRose_Music]

love your realness

[@fgevergizian]

I don't care what people say about him he as every right to be this confident! He is the best at what he does because he did it all on his own. He deserves to be this confident and deserves all the fame and fortune. I don't get why people hate on him speaking the truth anyway. He is up front, he doesnt bullshit, He is one of the best rap/hip hop artist EVER!

[@jozzycuevas3414]

In Russ we trust 🙏🏼

[@rapkgs]

Russ is so cool for saying this

[@alexandriascott4656]

He speaks the realist shit with the industry!

[@fbi6555]

“I’m letting you know what’s going on in the locker room”

[@sebastiancruz7211]

Everyone is asking him the questions, it's not like he's bringing it up himself. He speaks the truth people.

[@natancopeincraft]

The only people that actually have hate or jealousy for someone else, is someone that won't do the thing that they are jealous of themselves. That's why so many people don't like Russ, because of that. If your jealous, then go and get it yourself. There is such a thing as good, motivated jealousy, and then there is the all consuming, build up hate and resentment jealousy, which is very lethal and dangerous. Just do what you do to the fullest, and be genuine and authentic with you as your doing it. There's just too much hate on social media that I'm getting really sick of now of days.

[@YKAYNJ]

Literally thought about all this yesterday 😂

[@KingPryme21]

russ is my nigga his accomplishments independently are goals #grind

[@whosmav628]

He right💯

[@JazzySalsa14]

People are hating him because they are used to all that fake shit they see and hear on ALL MEDIA PLATFORMS from these wack ass artists & interviewers. This is a REAL artist with REAL FACTS. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@junayiapreston7266]

I LOVE THIS MAN

[@wings5280]

Good shit russ keep it 100 im going to listen to u i never have but i respect his mind hes smart and i hope it shows in his music

[@KROWN13]

Yo I feel him it’s like that every where tho even on jobs

[@davedrum4056]

People on here hating on him and his music. Lol believe me when I say he's a real artist and he makes better music than most in the game

[@dieyoung8259]

I remember I would allocate a portion of my paycheck to buy a cd every payday...I haven't bought music in years....what he is saying is true...

[@SIDMuzik]

Often with times, those who keep repeating to others on how real they are, usually aren't.

[@iLLestTv]

Russ buggin, all these labels care about is #'s

[@icelife101]

iLLest I know right this is coming from someone nobody knows and sales no records. trust record labels care about numbers.

[@nonvextation1684]

+illestTv What label are you signed to ?

[@nicholasmunguakubarikiyute6325]

Others than drake which rapper is selling records?

[@playboyrome]

Phony Thugs 😂😂😂😂

[@everettfanor1989]

JCole made a ton of money off his last album

[@SlayALLDay1979]

Dude is the truth, rhyme n reason.

[@manfredhopfmeiermanfredhopfmei]

Thank you man !

[@Youdatguy]

This man is waaaay past his age talented af no doubt and waaaay ahead of the interviewer 😂

[@livedogdeadlion9347]

Thank You, Russ.

[@GtBeatz508]

he's speaking real truth!! RUSS is Gonna be a Legend!!!

[@Chidulo]

We forget steve stout is from the hood, his cousins friend's brothers friend is still in the hood and he's at the top. So it is who you know. We forget that people at the top in hip hop are still from the same hood any new rapper is from.

[@SunniSmilez]

I mess with him heavy

[@officialkels]

i love his vibe frfr

[@Jay-vy8ok]

It's always who you know that means the most