UPDATE: This article has been amended to reflect that the deluxe edition is for Shake the Snow Globe.

Today marks the three-year anniversary of Russ' major label debut (albeit twelfth album), There's Really a Wolf. The album marked a turning point in Russ' career, as he had signed with Columbia Records after putting in immense work on his Soundcloud-- you already know the story, so we'll leave it at that. Nonetheless, his success has caught the ire of many along the way, but Russ has always remained level-headed and dedicated to his craft. His craft, for what it's worth, includes both rapping and producing. He handled both aspects on There's Really a Wolf, which has since been certified platinum.

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Perhaps in honor or remembrance of the three-year anniversary, Russ has announced today that there is a deluxe edition of his 2020 album, Shake the Snow Globe, on the way. He acknowledged that there has been quite the gap since he dropped the album, saying on twitter, "ps, I know it’s been a minute but the ig lives, tik toks, challenges and just useless info got a little redundant lol had to dip so I could just make music and be present. Talk soon."

That doesn't seem to matter to his fans, who have replied excitedly to his announcement. The announcement came by way of a cover art reveal, which shows an upside wolf, being shaken up, with an orange background. When a fan asked about the artwork concept, Russ revealed: "The wolf (success, fame, etc) is getting shook (reset) in the snow globe (my world)."

Peep the new artwork and announcement below. We don't yet have a release date, so stay tuned.

Are you excited for this one? 

Russ doesn’t understand why Jay-Z’s lifestyle and career trajectory is not referenced as the framework to which the newer generation’s rappers aspire to model themselves after. Russ recently stopped by The Rap Pack podcast to promote his new album, Shake The Snow Globe, and got into a discussion about the differences between a rock star and a rap star with hosts Carl Chery, Trent Clark and Jon Tanners.

As the conversation started veering towards drug abuse in the hip hop community, Russ suggested that a major factor is that rappers are more attracted to rock star ideals, which heavily involves drug use. Rappers today have begun modelling themselves and their careers after the rock star image and lifestyle, which seeps into their sound. “The rap star archetype was not a drug user,” he notes. “It was a drug dealer.”

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“[There’s] no real rapping. It’s just screaming, and it’s more about the intensity,” he notes. “Which is turnt, I love some of this shit. But a lot of the rap now has been modelled off of those rock archetypes as opposed to the rap star archetypes.” Russ brings up Jay-Z as a primary example of a true rap star, who doesn’t promote indulging in those harmful lifestyles. “I don’t know how many young kids in their 20s…that are modelling their lifestyle and their rap career off of Jay-Z, which is sad,” he says. “It’s unspoken, but I think [he] is probably the goal for everyone who starts to rap…If you want the most money, how are you not trying to model [your career] after Jay-Z?” he asks.

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Russ acknowledges that a common critique of Jay’s music today is that fans think he’s “out of touch.” “He supposed to be the one running over the hill before all of us because he’s further along and telling us, ‘Nah, this isn’t it anymore,'” he explains. “Why do you want Jay-Z to be on what you’re on? I’ve never understood this…it should feel not relatable. Like, I can’t relate to a lot of shit Jay talking about. But I love that. I’m like, ‘Oh there’s room to grow here.'”

“More people are concerned with being rock stars than rap stars,” he declares. “We’re losing the essence that made it rap.”

Atlanta rapper Russ has one of the most interesting stories in hip-hop right now. The 27-year-old is disliked by a number of influential genre-centric commentators, yet he boasts a massive fanbase all around the world. His artistic growth has been nothing short of tremendous, happening organically as he continues to sell out arena shows across the globe. Russ is easily one of the most successful rappers out today but, for some reason, people still hate his guts. He doesn’t take it to heart though. Even though it’s “cool” to hate on him, Russ experiences some of the biggest sales numbers when compared to his peers. If you need some hard evidence on that, look no further than right here.

Russ recently shared last week’s final Billboard sales totals, which show his name on top of some other notable new releases. While his project was not streamed more often than Lil Wayne’s Funeral, which also debuted in the same week, Shake The Snow Globe sold more pure copies than anybody else. The body of work was packaged strategically with merch on his website but Russ’ fans made sure to go out and buy physical copies of the album as well, keeping him ahead of pop stars Kesha and Louis Tomlinson, and Detroit legend Eminem.

“Most albums sold this week, Best fans in the world,” celebrated Russ on Instagram, clearly impressed that he was able to pull off such a feat. Congratulations to him!

Those independent cheques hit different. Russ, who has since carved out a lane as a young mogul in his own right, continues to thrive off his own self-sustainability. At the end of January, the Diemon King went head to head with Lil Wayne and dropped his own solo album Shake The Snow Globe, arguably the best body of work he’s released thus far. And while he didn’t manage to secure the number one spot, Russ did crack the top five on the Billboard 200, clocking in at number four.

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HHNM confirms that Russ came through with a first-week total tally of  67,716, putting him behind the seemingly immovable Roddy Ricch and Please Excuse Me For Being Social. To Russ’ credit, the rapper has never been one to chase numbers or accolades, much to the benefit of his loyal fanbase. While it did feature his biggest hit “Best On Earth,” it’s clear that many of Russ’ listeners looked beyond the viral single and supported the album as a whole.

That’s not to say he’s completely neglectful of industry practices. He certainly made effective use of bundling, securing forty-thousand in physical sales thanks to an upcoming tour package. All signs point to Russ continuing to thrive in the lane he’s carved out — are you along for the ride? 

He may have millions of followers of his own, but that doesn’t mean that Russ still doesn’t have artists that he stans over. The Shake The Snow Globe artist and author has been building his fanbase from the ground up as he carves out his own space in the music industry independently. Russ has never been shy about sharing who inspired him to become an artist, and when Big Boy ushered in an opportunity for Russ to meet Kanye West, he couldn’t believe it.

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Russ sat down with Big Boy’s Neighborhood and shared the story of how he met Yeezy. “I didn’t know who you was on the phone with,” Russ said to Big Boy. “You just [handed] me the phone and is just like, ‘You, it’s Ye.’ Like, bro. No heads up? It’s not like it’s my idol or anything.” The rapper said that he was “gassed” by the interaction but “also once again surprised that I was relatively calm. I could have sworn I was gonna f*ck this up.”

Then he shared how Big Boy later told him that he planned on taking Russ to one of Yeezy’s Sunday Services for a face to face meeting. “He was super cool,” Russ recalled. When asked what they talked about, Russ replied, “I just praised him.” In turn, Big Boy wanted to know how Russ handles being “somebody’s Kanye.” 

“It does trip me out because I get the messages all the time where it’s like, what a Kanye or what a Drake has done for me, is what I’m doing for people,” Russ said. “And that’s why I always kinda preach accountability and responsibility for what you’re putting out to the world and the messages you’re putting out. That’s why when it comes down to the self-forgiveness thing that I talk about, I forgive myself because my intentions were always pure and my message was always solid. Even if it came off like ‘f*ck you,’ it was still from a self-belief, DIY, you can do it, too, intention…. the greatest thing you can do is inspire.” Watch Russ’s full interview with Big Boy’s Neighborhood below.

Now that the world has received Russ‘s Shake The Snow Globe, the Atlanta-based artist has been making his way through the press circuit to promote his release. The 27-year-old rapper visited Real 92.3’s Big Boy’s Neighborhood to chat about his career and while there, Big Boy presented him with a choice between Eminem and Lil Wayne.

Randy Shropshire / Stringer / Getty Images

“If Eminem was in Studio A and Lil Wayne was in Studio B which studio—” Big Boy asked before being quickly interrupted by Russ choosing A. “Eminem is why I started rapping,” Russ revealed. The hosts couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of the Russ and Eminem exchange. “I told him that when I first met him, too… I know he’s heard that 38 million times.”

Elsewhere, Russ revealed the message behind Shake The Snow Globe. “This whole process and this whole album is about growth and self-forgiveness,” Russ said. “I’m very big on self-forgiveness right now because I look back at 23, 24 and it’s like, yeah, I was goin’ hard. I was headhunting and that’s what I should have been doing. I should be going that hard. So, now that I’ve settled in a little bit, I’m still headhunting but it’s just, it’s less in your face about it. Imma still talk my sh*t and everything but it’s like, I’m more secure with my spot in the game.” Check out his clip below.

Commonly believed to be the greatest rapper alive, Lil Wayne is about to enjoy another successful album release with Funeral. At the end of last week, the rapper delivered his first non-Carter project in years, delivering the fun-filled Funeral, which contains a total of twenty-four songs. With features from Big Sean, Lil Baby, XXXTentacion, Adam Levine, and more, a tribute to the late Kobe Bryant, and plenty of love for his reported fiancée La’Tecia Thomas, Wayne’s world is about to be on top yet again as the body of work is projected to enjoy its first week at the pole position on the Billboard 200.

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Roddy Ricch just reclaimed the top spot on the chart, beating out Eminem’s Music To Be Murdered By and getting yet another gold medal for Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial. The way things are looking though, the Compton native is set to give up that spot for Lil Wayne this week, with Funeral expected to move up to 125K album units. In terms of debuts, Russ will be the runner-up in the battle with his new studio album netting approximately 75K units moved. Pop artists Kesha and Louis Tomlinson follow them up.

In comparison to Tha Carter V‘s first-week sales numbers, this is a massive decline for Lil Wayne. However, the novelty surrounding that project could be what boosted it to enjoy such a tremendous debut. Still, 125K is nothing to scoff at. Have you been messing with the new albums from Wayne and Russ?

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Russ is gearing up to release his upcoming album Shake The Snow Globe on January 31st, a project seemingly inspired by overcoming personal darkness. As such, it may very well be his most personal body of work thus far. “I allowed myself to be overwhelmed and suffocated by internal and external enemies. It got so bad I thought I was gonna die,” he wrote, in an emotional PSA. “I didn’t know from what, but looking back I think it was just the immense negativity and pressure in my life.”

Michael Tullberg/Getty Images 

Having emerged on the other side unscathed and confident in his artistry, Russ has positioned himself to close January out with a banger. Today, the rapper shared the official tracklist for Shake The Snow Globe, clocking in at twelve tracks and featuring the talents of Rick Ross, Bugus, Benny The Butcher and Devin The Dude. Unsurprisingly (streaming numbers matter, after all) Russ also included the Bia-assisted and Jay-Z approved smash hit “Best On Earth.” 

Check out the tracklist below, and sound off with your expectations? Will you be checking this one out? 

1. Need A Minute
2. Guess What ft. Rick Ross
3. A Lot More
4. Can’t Go On
5. Asshole ft Bugus
6. Nighttime (Interlude)
7. All To You
8. Shots
9. Patience
10. I Thought You Got Me ft Benny The Butcher
11. Foot On The Gas ft. Devin The Dude
12. Momma
1. Civil War (Bonus)
2. Best On Earth ft. Bia (Bonus)

Sitting at the apex of a wild and successful run, Russ Diemon has earned a moment of reflection. Despite having faced no shortage of scorn, animosity, and occasional confrontations with fellow artists, Russ has maintained a loyal fanbase throughout his ascent. And yet, some of the darker moments ultimately took a toll on the rapper, who has opened up about his fear-induced “Paranoia” before. 

Not long after announcing the arrival of his upcoming album Shake The Snow Globe, Russ took to Instagram to pen the emotional origin story to his upcoming album, one that directly addresses some of those bleaker moments. Citing enemies internal and external alike, it’s clear that Russ is alluding to some of his more violent outbursts, aimed in part at Smokepurpp and Adam22. For now, it would appear that those days are behind him; in hindsight, he’s pleased to have experienced them at all, emerging on the other side with renewed focus. Should you find it too difficult to make out Russ’ reasonably legible handwriting, his message reads as follows: 

“I’m not proud of the headspace I sunk into in 2018. I allowed myself to be overwhelmed and suffocated by internal and external enemies. It got so bad I thought I was gonna die. I didn’t know from what, but looking back I think it was just the immense negativity and pressure in my life. I was tripping. However, I’m proud of myself for going through it and getting through it and I’m thankful for the experience. I stepped away and detached and had a moment of clarity. I realized ‘if not now, then when!?’ In terms of my happiness. This is IT. Everything that I wished for from the money, girls, fans, etc. I had to unjade and snap out of it so I could snap into it. I had to reflect. I had to reset. I had to shake the snow globe.” 

Check it out below, and look for Shake The Snow Globe to arrive on January 31st.