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.
Artist Spotlight
Dominique Xishak questions the search for love and money on latest release “Delusional”
Dominique Xishak takes a confrontational approach to modern relationship expectations with “Delusional”, a rap track that questions what some people demand from a partner and what they bring to a relationship themselves. The song focuses on the perceived gap between wanting an ideal man and being willing to offer the same level of commitment, honesty, and personal responsibility. Rather than approaching romance with a soft touch, Xishak uses a direct lyrical perspective to challenge these expectations.
The track raises questions about appearances, personal choices, and the motivations behind seeking a partner. Its subject matter includes cosmetic surgery, the pressure to meet certain physical ideals, and the possibility that financial status can become more important than genuine connection. Xishak also addresses the tension between demanding a good partner and overlooking the qualities that make a healthy relationship possible. These themes give the song a provocative edge and invite listeners to consider the standards they set for themselves and others.
“Delusional“ positions Dominique Xishak as a voice willing to tackle uncomfortable conversations about dating, attraction, and relationship priorities. The message is deliberately challenging, encouraging debate about whether people are truly searching for meaningful partnerships or pursuing an ideal shaped by appearances and money. It is a track designed to provoke reactions and get listeners talking.
Connect with Dominique Xishak on Spotify
Artist Spotlight
Shadowspell invites listeners into a world of fear and defiance on latest release “CYANIDE”
Shadowspell’s latest hard-hitting single, “CYANIDE,” explores disturbing thoughts, fear, and the struggle with sanity, pulling listeners into a disquieting world of inner darkness. Big drums and guitars drive the song, creating a powerful atmosphere for its troubled emotional landscape. Its central thesis is chillingly provocative, darkness is no longer in the past, but has settled in.
The song’s lyrics drop the listener into a mind where scary voices are a strange kind of survival, and nowhere else seems safe. Shadowspell doesn’t push fear away; it brings it to the front and center, inviting listeners to face the unsettling thoughts and feelings at the song’s heart. The lush instrumentation gives this tension a gritty edge that suits the song’s defiant spirit.
If you enjoy exploring darker musical territories, CYANIDE delivers a heavy, intense listening experience that blends heavy drums, powerful guitars, and psychologically charged themes. Shadowspell embraces awkwardness, not smoothing it over, and makes a track that sounds raw, confrontational, and unashamedly uncomfortable. The result is a record that exposes inner turmoil and demands that the listener confront the shadows instead of simply turning away.
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