Music
Russ Explains Why His Career Is ‘Pandemic-Proof’ In A Year That Stifled Many Independent Artists’ Income
The outspoken advocate for independent artistry gave the blueprint for his successful 2020. …
Throughout 2020, the coronavirus pandemic and the collective responses to it had a profound effect on the music industry — especially independent artists, who often rely more on live shows than record sales for the majority of their income. However, one independent rapper said that his career flourished this year, boasting that it is “pandemic-proof” and that he has been getting his checks in the mail like clockwork despite the economic slowdown.
Russ, who released two projects this year and has been a vocal advocate for independent artistry, told Tidal’s B. Dot in a new interview, “I’m fortunate because I’ve set up my career to be pandemic proof.” He explained that rather than planning for a global breakdown of the live entertainment industry, he instead ensured that he owned the legal rights to all of his output, which guaranteed a bigger slice of the profit for himself. “It’s pandemic proof via mailbox money, you know, and via ownership and owning my masters and things like that,” he elaborated. “TuneCore checks didn’t stop. If anything, I’ve made more money on TuneCore this year than I did last year because I was able to record more, which means I was able to put out more, and I went fully independent.”
His output this year included the full-length project Shake The Snow Globe and its deluxe version, as well as the Chomp EP featuring Ab-Soul, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, and more. His independent success allowed him to also give away $20,000 to his Twitter followers to boost their spirits during the summer lockdown.
Artist Spotlight
The trapheaux gracefully glides over in new release “Marble Floors”
Trapheauxly’s latest release, “Marble Floors,” is a smooth, seductive single that combines clean, complex rap verses with melodic R&B. The song’s production, soulful vocal harmonies, and steady rhythmic pulse create a luxurious yet emotionally grounded atmosphere. All of these elements work together to create this atmosphere.
The most impressive aspect of it is the way it shifts from a catchy melodic hook to a rapid-fire delivery of the lyrics. One moment, “Marble Floors” is silky smooth, and the next, it is razor sharp. This contrast is what gives the musical its identity.
When it comes to lyrical concerns of intimacy, devotion, and elevated aesthetics, the image of marble floors appears, time and time again, as a symbol of elegance and emotional weight. Trapheauxly is a polished package that combines style, substance, and value that cannot be denied in terms of replay value.
Connect with Trapheauxly on Spotify || Instagram || Soundcloud
Artist Spotlight
NIHLNØTHING unleashes increased tides on new release “ocean” Power
NIHLNØTHING’s latest release, “Ocean” is a powerful, immersive single that defies classification as heavy music. The track sounds huge, punishing, and emotionally complex, as the title promises, drawing on post-metal, alternative metal, sludge, groove metal, metalcore, and deathcore.
A sense of depth makes “ocean” appealing. The song balances atmosphere and intensity like a violent current under calm waters. This track has towering sonic weight and textured melodic darkness, suggesting it can go from hypnotic tension to explosive release in a heartbeat.
Genre DNA enables NIHLNØTHING to create something expansive. It has sludge, groove, metalcore urgency, and a post-metal mood that’s probably more than aggression. NIHLNØTHING excels in contrasting crushing weight with atmosphere, chaos with control, and brutality with reflection. Balance distinguishes loud from powerful music.
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