Music

Russ Raps Alongside Some Of Hip-Hop’s Top Lyricists On His ‘Chomp’ EP

Getty Image The controversial indie rap advocate challenges himself to keep up with Ab-Soul, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, and more. …

Before developing a reputation as a pugnacious gatekeeper and instigator of rap beef, Russ built an impressive fan base on the strength of his rapping, singing, and songwriting, leading to a very successful independent career built on boisterous bars and a diligent, DIY approach to his pursuit of stardom. Now that rap fans have turned on him, it looks like he wants to re-establish his credentials as an upper-echelon wordsmith, releasing the star-studded Chomp EP, on which the controversial indie rap advocate challenges himself to keep up with Ab-Soul, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, and more.

After making his major-label debut in 2017 with There’s Really A Wolf, Russ unfortunately began alienating fans with his anti-drug t-shirt. After memeing his self-serious sartorial choice into oblivion and back, fans seemed to have decided that the New Jersey-born, Atlanta-based rapper was a self-righteous jerk — a perception Russ himself did little to mitigate as he continued to double down on his criticisms of mainstream stars. He may even have furthered it with physical altercations between himself and relatively harmless party rappers like Smokepurpp and Guapdad 4000.

However, Russ has his defenders as well, while his recent actions have toned-down his image somewhat. By teaming up — and in some cases, actually going bar-for-bar — with respected vets and newcomers like Kxng Crooked and Benny The Butcher on Chomp, Russ may get fans to once again focus on what’s important — his music — and not his antics.

Chomp is out now. Get it here.

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Artist Spotlight

C’batch delivers love, reflections and new beginning through “Next Time (I Won’t Be Falling)” (EP)

C’batch’s latest EP, “Next Time (I Won’t Be Falling),“ is a soulful exploration of the never-ending cycle that is love. It’s a release that combines intimacy with looking ahead, blending emotion with cinematic ambition. The EP embraces the ambiguity that follows, instead of providing a clean resolution to heartbreak.

This EP is a sneak peek of C’batch’s upcoming album, “The Vault 4 – Cinematic,” set for release on July 10, 2026, that will go deeper into the emotional universe. The project begins with “Next Time (I Won’t Be Falling),” a nicely balanced, measured balance of strength and openness that captures the emotional tension between self-protection and hope for another chance. “Next Time (I Won’t Be Falling) (2)” gives the same emotional struggle from a more reflective perspective, letting the feelings settle with more maturity and quiet conviction.

“Next Time (I Won’t Be Falling)1a“ tells a different story, with similar emotions reinterpreted with musical shifts, adding to the experience but still resonating with the core message of the EP. The release is completed with the cinematic version of “Next Time (I Won’t Be Falling) Cinematic Version 2,“ a sweeping song with cinematic textures that turns the title track into an immersive sound and offers a glimpse of the creative direction behind “The Vault 4 – Cinematic.“

Another point of connection in C’batch’s expanding catalog, “Next Time (I Won’t Be Falling),“ also supplies the creative inspiration for the two companion versions of “Fluorescent Buzz (You Got Me Falling)“ on the EP of the same name. These releases represent an artist consciously creating a connected musical universe that is growing in emotional depth, storytelling, and cinematic production.

Connect C’batch on | Website | FB | Spotify |

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Album Review

C’batch delivers a soulful dancefloor experience with “The Vault 3 – Club / Dance / R&B-Soul / Funk / Pop / Techno / Etc.”

C’batch is back with “The Vault 3 – Club/Dance/R&B-Soul/Funk/Pop/Techno/Etc.,” a 20-track album of unreleased archival recordings, remixed into one seamless late-night journey. The project builds a world where dancefloor rhythm meets intimate introspection, for global dance culture and late-night listening.

The album opens with raw, emotional loss of love and personal clarity in tracks such as “Breaking My Heart” and “Found What’s Right for Me.” “The Club Song” and “Too Hot to Handle” up the dancefloor ante with thick club beats and game tension. “Mystique of Love (What’s Behind Your Smile)” has an air of mystery about it and is delivered with smooth R&B vibes, while “I Just Wanna Love You Now” is all about passion and urgency.

The mid-section tracks extend the emotional palette of the record. The smooth pop and soul elements of “I Am the Right Guy” promise confident self-confidence, and the next track, “On to You,” plays on attraction and groove. “Love Give Me a Sign (Velvet Switchblade) 2” mixes openness with gritty funk textures, while “No More Lonely Nights” is introspective ambient soul. “Hit Me with Your Love” has a lot more rhythm and a lot more dance energy. “Let Me School You (Vocal Version)” is a fun, funky education, and “Turn It up-2” adds to the club vibe with techno-infused layers.

The final section of “The Vault 3 – Club/Dance/R&B-Soul/Funk/Pop/Techno/Etc.” wraps everything up with warmth, groove, and emotional closure in the remaining songs. The album’s energy is carried by “Send U My Love,” “A Funk Groove,” and “Hold on Now,” the album’s lead single, balanced with romance and dance-driven momentum. Closing the album is “Midnight Love Serenade (Honeyed Girl),” bringing late-night softness and texture. C’batch describes the project as electronic adrenaline meets deep soul groove, a late-night global dance culture, and an immersive listening experience for the modern club listener around the world today.