So as many of you will know, the majority of new music is released on Fridays. Because of that, every Friday will be a new song that I think is hard. The first of the New Music Fridays is Nobody Knows by Russ.
Russ, born Russell Vitale, is a hip-hop artist of the generation coming out of the new-age Mecca of rap, Atlanta Georgia. He has been simmering just below the surface of mainstream hip-hop since he started making music in 2007 at the age of 14, with his first song recorded 4 years later. Since then, he has released 12 studio albums (not a typo. 12. As in 5 more than Coldplay, 4 more than Phil Collins and 3 more than Radiohead) and was one of the first artists to embrace Soundcloud culture. 11 albums and 87 singles were released on the platform before Columbia Records came knocking in 2016 and to this day he has amassed nearly 750,000 followers on his Soundcloud page alone.
Known for rapping with a chip on his shoulder and doing basically everything himself (writing, producing, rapping, singing, mixing and mastering), he has gained more than a smidge of infamy. He is held in disdain by a lot of the community for posing on the gram wearing a t-shirt that read “How much Xans and lean do you have to do before you realize you’re a fucking loser”, which some claim made a mockery of drug addiction (in my humble opinion it has been interpreted harshly and is a solid message. Had it been championed by a less controversial artist then it may have been a different story).
The song itself gives me MAJOR Stan vibes and talks about the negatives of fame, from substance abuse to his failed attempts at repairing his parent’s fragmented relationship. Newly released as a single after being featured on Just In Case, a three-song EP that was shared just before Christmas 2018, Nobody Knows shows Russ’ ability as a lyricist, producer and is a testament to his work ethic, continuing to put out great hip-hop music.
Spotify Playlist Link: https://spoti.fi/2CKuVex
A Song A Day 