Russell James Vitale, better known by his stage name Russ, was born on September 26, 1992, in Secaucus, New Jersey. He is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Russ gained recognition in the music industry after independently releasing eleven albums before signing with Columbia Records, where he dropped his breakthrough album, There's Really a Wolf in 2017. This album was both a commercial and critical success, achieving platinum status from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and producing his first Billboard Hot 100 hits, including "What They Want" and "Losin Control."

Following this success, Russ continued his momentum with the release of his thirteenth and fourteenth studio albums, Zoo (2018) and Shake the Snow Globe (2020), both of which reached number four on the US Billboard 200 chart. "Best on Earth," featuring Bia, from Shake the Snow Globe, became his highest-charting single to date. Russ is also a key member of the Atlanta-based hip-hop collective Diemon.

Russ's early life was marked by frequent relocations due to his father's career, with his family eventually settling in Atlanta, Georgia, during his late teenage years. His musical journey began at a young age, starting with learning the guitar from his father and eventually mastering various instruments. He began writing raps at seven years old and started making beats at 14. By 18, he had recorded his first song and was producing music alongside his friend Bugus.

In 2011, Russ and Bugus appeared on MTV after Bugus' song "El Jefe" gained popularity. Shortly after, Russ co-founded the collective and label Diemon. Between 2011 and 2014, he released 11 albums and 87 singles independently, with many of his tracks gaining traction on SoundCloud. His persistence paid off with the success of "What They Want" and "Losin Control," leading to his deal with Columbia Records.

Russ has maintained creative control over his music, often producing, mixing, mastering, engineering, writing, and performing his songs himself. His style blends hip-hop and R&B, with a signature mix of rapping and singing. His influences include G-Unit, 50 Cent, and Eminem.

In 2020, Russ fulfilled his contract with Columbia Records and returned to being an independent artist. He has since released several projects, including the EP Chomp (2020) and its sequel Chomp 2 (2021).

Despite his success, Russ has faced controversy, particularly following a 2017 tweet criticizing the use of substances like Xanax and lean in the music industry, which sparked backlash from other artists. This controversy contributed to the "Fuck Russ" meme that circulated online.

Russ is also known for his distinctive appearance, including his heterochromia, with one eye being dark brown and the other light brown.

Throughout his career, Russ has consistently demonstrated his commitment to authenticity and independence, making him a unique and influential figure in the music industry.