Russ is tired of drugged-up rappers promoting their substance abuse and called them all “losers” in a lengthy rant.
In 2017, Russ uploaded a post blasting rappers for promoting drug abuse.
In a recent interview, he said ... was needed at the time.
“That sh-t needed to be said. Somebody within that space needed to call out the glorification of substance abuse…especially from a social media standpoint,” he said.
“Just [how people are] trying make it look cool to people and not understanding the responsibility and even within the music, not understanding the impact and influence you have over kids. I’m not saying I’m the perfect role model, but I just think as an artist, you can either inspire people to self-destruct or you can inspire people to self-improve.”
Russ says that most music nowadays is inspiring people to “self-destruct” rather than to do something positive with their lives.
After 11 self-released albums, Russ signed with Columbia Records to release his twelfth studio album and major label debut, There’s Really a Wolf (2017). Met with critical and commercial success, the album received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It spawned his first Billboard Hot 100 entries—”What They Want” and “Losin Control.” His thirteenth and fourteenth albums, Zoo (2018) and Shake the Snow Globe (2020), both peaked at number four on the Billboard 200; the latter spawned his highest-charting single, “Best on Earth” (featuring Bia). Outside of his solo career, he is a member of the Atlanta-based hip-hop collective Diemon.
[social_warfare]