In recent years, artists have chosen to go the independent route in the music industry. The freedoms are more significant at times in comparisons to artists subjected to the constraints of a recording contract. The major difference is the output of music. Traditional artists may release a promotional single from time to time, but naturally, artists are confined to release music during an album/project rollout. One artist that has made a name for himself in the industry by his consistent release of new music by his unique marketing strategies is Sicilian rapper, Russ.
A lot of you were introduced to Russ back in 2019 when his song, ‘Best On Earth’ got the attention of Rihanna to spark a social media challenge, propelling his song up the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Russ first started to release music free online dating from 2011 to 2014. Over that period of time he released 11 albums to minimal attention. He then decided to release a new song weekly for his hardcore fans and this helped him gain more fans. From 2016 to 2020, he signed with Columbia Records and released three more albums before starting his own independent label. His latest single, Misunderstood was released last week on all music retailers.
One thing I admire about Russ is that he is a triple threat being a singer, rapper and a producer. His ability to transition between his singing an rapping is one of his greatest strengths as an artist. On his latest effort, Misunderstood finds Russ singing over the melodic track as he details of his dealings with people’s skewed perceptions of him. The song will be very familiar to listeners as the message will resonate with fans.
If this is your first listen of Russ’ music, I would go take a look at the musician’s catalogue. From being introduced to the artist in 2018, Russ has become one of my inspirations in writing as I admire his appreciation for the craft. His consistency and his ability to have people relate to him through his songs is why his fanbase goes hard for the rapper.
Misunderstood (inspired by the song of the same name)
Misunderstood
An interesting concept
On a mission of bettering myself
While completing all these side quests
Counting up all of these trophies
What a system measuring my success
It’s like someone playing my life on a PS5
When the game ain’t even out yet
It’s like they created my character for me
Someone choosing who they want me to be
But no one’s doing that, I’m doing me
Perfectly set on being an anomaly
I’m a beat the system
There’s no one out there that’s gonna do it for me
They wanted me to play sports
But I played the game
Top 10% in my class
Began to make a name
Or they saw my reign
Of a king, a future heir to a throne
At times, the roads traveled
I walked alone
There was some cold moments I felt in my bones
Ghosts of the pasts want to haunt me
But I’ll leave my grievances on they tombstone
Misunderstood
I am more than my skin
I am more than what you think of me
And I won’t let you win
And in a sport set up for us to lose
Where most only seem to tie
As long as we don’t have a winning record
They don’t care how we get by
But I’m going to add to that winning column
Before I grow my wings and fly
And you not gonna take that away from me
No I won’t tell a lie
Misunderstood
You only see
Pieces that fit your view of me
Life of a jigsaw
What you saw I can’t agree
With your current idea of me