Editorial Staff
Who is Russ Rapper?
Russ Diemon, who was born on September 26, 1992, started writing rap verses in his notebook at seven years old and became interested in rap music. With multiple hits and successful albums, he has become one of the top rising stars in the genre, and there is still much to come. He has become a popular musician in the modern rap scene due to his talent and prolific style, which spans from hip-hop anthems to more R&B-oriented ballads.
Through social media interactions with his fans on platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube, he first established a steady fan following. His own website was established, where he released some of his early tracks, such as ‘Goodbye’, ‘Psycho’, and ‘Too Many’. Russ’ debut album, ‘There’s Really a Wolf’, was released in May 2017 and peaked at the 7th spot on Billboard 200. With a bang, Russ’ career was launched after the album was certified platinum by RIAA.
| Real Name/Full Name | Russell James Vitale |
| Date Of Birth | 26 September 1992 |
| Age | 32 years old |
| Birthplace | Secaucus, New Jersey, United States. |
| Nationality | American. |
| Religion | Christianity. |
| Zodiac sign | Libra |
| Father Name | Not Known |
| Mother Name | Not Known |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inch |
| Weight | 65 kg |
| Marital Status | Not Married |
| Siblings | Not Known |
| Profession | American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. |
| Net worth | $13 Million. |
Early Life
Born in Secaucus, New Jersey on September 26, 1992, Russell James Vitale became a citizen of the United States. As a child, he lived in a family that moved frequently, but eventually settled in Atlanta, Georgia during his late teens. At the age of 7, Vitale acquired the skill of playing guitar from his father and began writing raps. At 14 years old, he began producing beats with his friend Bugus and recorded his first song at 18.
Personal Life
Russ, a skilled musician, songwriter, and producer, is currently in a romantic relationship with Jonica Keating, who has a significant online following. As a couple, they are both dynamic and stylish, and are frequently seen attending events and posting glimpses of their relationship on social media.
Career
Russ’ determination for making music led him to form Diemon, a rap group, at the age of 19. Bugus, Dartlin, Paulo, DJ Adam Golden, Musa, and John Anthony were just a few of his buddies who made up the group. The group’s name is derived from the phrase ‘Do It Everyday Music or Nothing.’ Russ was the in-house producer for the group and wrote rap lyrics, while everyone else either rapped or wrote or did both.
The local hip hop music scene is full of new artists emerging daily with trap-infused beats, but Russ chose to take a different approach with his music. Mix-tapes were produced by most places and sold on the streets and at nightclubs. Russ and his group opted for a slightly different approach that was more technologically proficient. Diemon.com was the name of the website created by the group. In September 2017, the group established their own YouTube and SoundCloud accounts and began posting their music, making it free to download.
A group of rappers worked together to collaborate on each other’s singles, and by the end of 2012, Diemon was a well-known music crew in the local area. In May 2012, Diemon’s official channel released Russ’ debut single ‘Corleone’, which was his first song as a rapper. Russ had already established a steady fan following because of the success of his mixtapes ‘Velvet’ and ‘Apollo 13’ before the single was released.
After months of speculation, his decision to join Columbia Records, Georgia’s most successful record label, was finally made. He signed the contract in 2016 and promptly began working on his solo studio endeavor. ‘How to Rob’ was the title of his last mixtape with Diemon, released in August 2014. Russ released two singles on Columbia in 2015, one of which was titled ‘Losin Control’ and the other was titled ‘What They Want’. Russ’ debut studio album was further anticipated due to both singles entering the Billboard charts.
His most successful single to date, ‘What They Want’, was certified platinum by Music Canada and Recording Industry Association of America, making it his most successful release since 2015. Another single, ‘Pull the Trigger,’ received gold certification from the RIAA. The album ‘There’s Really a Wolf’ was released in May 2017 and received immediate success.
The controversy led to the phrase ‘fuck Russ’ becoming a commonly referenced phrase and meme. On June 6, 2018, after rappers Lil Pump and J. Cole settled their issues in an interview, Lil Pump tweeted “ME & J COLE COOL NOW SO NOW ITS FUCK RUSS”.
In 2019, Russ released his first book, It’s All In Your Head, which went on to be a bestseller. Russ stated on June 30, 2020 that he has finished his deal with Columbia Records and is now an independent artist. An EP titled ‘Chomp’ was released by him on November 17, 2020. Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, Benny the Butcher, and Ab-Soul, to name a few, make guest appearances.
Russ announced on November 18, 2021 that he would be releasing Chomp 2, the sequel to last year’s Chomp. Russ My Way Inc. was responsible for the project’s release on December 8, 2021. In August 18, 2023, Russ released the album Santiago. It topped the Billboard 200 album chart at number 12. January 10th, 2024 marked the publication of the sequel to his first book, It Was You All Along. He played Parker Wayne in the M. Night Shyamalan thriller Trap for the first time later that year.
Net Worth
Russ’s net worth is believed to be around $13 million as of 2025, which is a result of album sales, streaming revenue, tours, and merchandise. The fact that he is successful financially is a testament to his independent approach and dedication to his craft.
