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

Toscode unveils soft melodies that speak the language of real love on “WHAT KIND OF LOVE”

Toscode’s latest release, “WHAT KIND OF LOVE” is a pure love song with a soft romantic vibe, driven by the desire for something real to last forever. The song has a soft musical note, with the violin warming the arrangement and cool shakers and percussion driving the rhythm. All of these together form an intimate foundation for a song of the heart.

The romantic message is most apparent in the lyrics, “there’s nothing I can’t do for you, I’m so into you.” The core message of the song is not complex but rather a devotion to love and the willingness to sacrifice everything for a special person. That straightforwardness gives the song an accessible emotional quality, particularly for those who have known the feeling of being deeply in love and wishing that connection would last.

“WHAT KIND OF LOVE” feels like a sincere love declaration, with the soft violin, percussion, and romantic lyrics blending smoothly. It’s a track from Toscode’s Untitled EP, a warm introduction to the project’s emotional side. The best thing about the song is its simplicity. It’s about love and commitment and the hope of finding something real enough to last. It’s sweet, loving, and centered on a feeling that many listeners can identify with.

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Artist Spotlight

Ninjahtiger brings survival instinct and savage rap energy with “Apex Predators”

“Apex Predators” is a hard-hitting hip-hop/gangster rap collab from Ninjahtiger & Jahlnt. Raw street lyricism, jungle imagery, and the instinct to survive power the track. The song’s confrontational tone is set from the very first bar of “From the wild you can’t domesticate”, linking its lyrical ideas to the image of unruled environments.

The track is about resilience, surviving the elements, and quieting the noise with fierce flows and sharp delivery. The record’s cinematic feel creates tension, a feeling of moving through a world that takes strength and resolve to get by. Thanks to the gangster rap foundation, the delivery is direct and uncompromising while the song has a strong thematic identity with its jungle and survival imagery.

“Apex Predators” works because it’s all about endurance and endurance. Jahlnt and Ninjaht come at the track aggressively, using the language of the wild to drive home ideas of refusal to be ruled and keeping on the move. The result is a high-energy rap release that feels built on tension, resilience, and raw expression. From the first bar, the collaboration has a strong personality, with its aggressive delivery, fierce flows, street lyricism, and cinematic atmosphere.

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