Music
Russ Resurrects BET’s ‘Rap City’ In His ‘Who Wants What’ Video With Ab-Soul
Even Big Tigger makes an appearance to react to some of the harder-hitting punchlines. …
For a certain generation of hip-hop heads, BET’s Rap City (and later, Rap City: Tha Basement) were staples in their diet of new rap videos. New Jersey rapper Russ, who is promoting a star-studded new EP titled Chomp, resurrects the nostalgic Basement Booth set — complete with a cameo from Big Tigger(!) — for his first video from the EP, “Who Wants What” featuring Ab-Soul.
Russ provides a nostalgic, crate-digging beat reminiscent of the early ’90s New York hip-hop heyday as he and Ab-Soul roam the booth with a classic set-up from Big Tigger. During his verse, Russ throws a subtle salute to Cam’ron, whose money-counting antics during his 2001 freestyle became a fan-favorite and a lasting image in the minds of hip-hop fans who continue to share grainy videos of it on social media to this day.
Ab-Soul does what he came to do as well, spitting a ferocious flurry of punchlines that will leave permanent fingerprints on rewind buttons everywhere (I know how dated that reference is but, in this case, it works). The video is also cleverly mixed so that the track continues to play even as we get to listen in to Tigger’s reactions to some of the juicier lines.
Russ teased Chomp via Instagram yesterday, sharing a tracklist that includes Benny The Butcher, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, DJ Premier, and Kxng Crooked. No release date was shared but such a tape could go a long way toward revamping — or at least justifying — Russ’ holier-than-thou image.
Watch the “Who Wants What” video above.
Hip-Hop
Russ Hall runs it all the way up with a powerful, soul-charged statement on “ON ME (RUN IT UP) – EXTENDED
Russ Hall’s newest track. “ON ME (RUN IT UP) – EXTENDED” shows ambition, resilience, and unshakable self-confidence. The track quickly wraps listeners up in an atmosphere that is both uplifting and very personal. The violin’s melodic textures are supported by fluid bass lines, and bright chord progressions add warmth and emotional depth. Together, they make a strong base for an anthem that inspires and hits home.
“ON ME (RUN IT UP) – EXTENDED” explores hunger deeply, the kind that makes you work hard all day and night. Russ Hall does a great job of showing the tension between struggle and success, making it both clear and easy to understand. In a real and relatable way, this lets openness and bravado live together. Confidence is real, but it takes time and work to get there. It is also about how hard you work and how well you can get back up after failing.
The longer version lets the track build, allowing its emotional sides to come out fully. The instruments flow together perfectly, and the driving energy moves the piece forward. The result is a sound journey that shows how important it is to have goals and how proud you can be of working hard.
“ON ME (RUN IT UP) – EXTENDED” wants to both motivate and give people power. It talks to people who are trying to reach their goals, deal with problems, or figure out the difference between believing and doubting. Russ Hall turns the fight inside into a strong example of strength and self-determination. He is sure of himself, emotionally stable, and not afraid to look at all of human experience. “ON ME (RUN IT UP) – EXTENDED” is a strong reminder that hard work pays off and that believing in yourself is the first step to real success.
Connect with Russ Hall on Spotify || Soundcloud
Artist Spotlight
“Yonkers” – Song by Tyler, the Creator
15 years ago, Tyler, the Creator released “Yonkers.” The song would go on to shape a generation of hip-hop fans and make him one of the most talked-about artists in modern music. Tyler’s work on “Yonkers,” which came out of the Los Angeles group Odd Future, was a brave mix of raw lyrics, dark humor, and simple production that made him stand out from other artists right away.
“Yonkers,” which is just over three minutes long, seems simple but has a big effect. The song’s production is based on a spooky bassline, simple piano chords, and simple drums. This puts Tyler’s voice and story front and center. His flow is slow and threatening, and it sends out a stream of verses that balance shock value with deep thoughts on themes like being alone, rebelling, and thinking about oneself. This song has a modern twist on the gritty, confrontational style of hip-hop that was popular in the early 2010s.
The music video for “Yonkers” became a cultural phenomenon all by itself. In the black-and-white video, Tyler looks straight into the camera while doing something that surprised both fans and critics. Tyler became known as an artist who isn’t afraid to push boundaries when the song’s raw lyrics and stark images quickly went viral. The video’s viral success brought Odd Future national attention and helped Tyler get more work, including his albums Goblin (2011) and Wolf (2013), which were both well-received by critics.
People who didn’t like “Yonkers” thought it was a new take on hip-hop. People in the genre often liked flashy production and collaborations, but Tyler’s solo song showed that minimalism can be just as interesting, if not more so, when it has strong lyrics. Young people who wanted realness and change connected with the song’s unapologetic tone, and its influence can still be heard in music today. Many contemporary artists assert that Tyler’s early compositions, particularly “Yonkers,” significantly influenced their lyrical writing and visual storytelling techniques.
“Yonkers” was a big moment in Tyler, the Creator’s career. It was a bold statement from a single artist who wanted to change the rules of hip-hop, and it captured the spirit of early Odd Future, a group that thrived on chaos, creativity, and free expression. More than ten years later, the song is still a touchstone for fans and a turning point in the growth of alternative rap. Its creepy beat, controversial lyrics, and viral music video are still seen as examples of a time when hip-hop was pushing its limits and welcoming a new generation of voices that were willing to question the way things were.
“Yonkers” is a cultural artifact, a snapshot of the time that shaped Tyler, the Creator’s unique artistic style, and a reminder of how powerful bold, unapologetic music can be.
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