Russ finds his voice with ‘Color Blind’
Los Angeles by way of Atlanta rapper levels up with new album
- Courtesy Russ Vitale
Russ Vitale just turned 21 but you wouldn’t know it. Along with his peers in the DIEMON collective, Bugus and John Anthony, ten albums have been released for free on their website. Russ went to Roswell High School, was in school for a little bit, and is now in California working on his music full-time. He returned home to play a show in Athens on September 6, where, alongside his peers in the DIEMON collective, he opened for Wiz Khalifa. Having just released a bonus song, titled “You Need Something To Live For,” off his new album Color Blind, Vitale shed some light on his persona, revealing an artist who not only recognizes his strengths but takes the time to polish them.
Tell us about yourself and DIEMON as a collective.
I’m a human being who lives and documents life. DIEMON is a collective of like-minded artists who are going to impact the world in a major way through our art.
How does being located in Los Angeles now differ from creating in Atlanta?
The scenery is way better, and the energy is way better. Better aesthetics, which makes for better music.
What are your thoughts on the music scene in Atlanta?
I’m not really into it. I respect anyone who can believe in their vision and make an idea become reality though, so kudos to everyone getting it.
Your album The Edge is really melodic and seems to have established your voice. What was the process of crafting that album like?
First off, I can tell you really listen to the music, which is dope. But, yeah, I’ve always been about the melodies. I always say that I came into hip-hop backwards. I came in just loving to do hooks and melodies so that’s what I was first doing on the mic. The Edge was when I really found my pocket though. There’s no turning back now. I leveled up.
You released one visual from The Edge, “Yung Pacino,” prior to the album’s release. What was it like shooting that video?
Incredible experience to physically live in an idea. It went from a beat to a song to a video so being apart of that process was extremely satisfying.
What have you learned both musically and personally since you started your career as an artist
The personal growth and journey has been everything to me. That’s what’s made the music what it is. Because it’s what goes on outside the studio and what goes on inside your mind that will really dictate your music.
What did you grow up listening to and does any of it manage to influence you today?
I grew up listening to Eminem, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, and that whole movement. Also a lot of classic rock from the ‘60’s and ‘70’s because that’s what my parents grew up listening to. I was just always into the musicality of songs, which is why the hip-hop I initially gravitated towards always had strong music and melody.
Your new album, Color Blind, is more concise, what was it like putting this one together?
This album is about the lack of judgment in love. I recorded half in Atlanta and half in LA. It’s about letting your mind and soul dictate what you “see” as opposed to just your eyes. There’s twists though because it’s a real story about a relationship that’s extremely real to me so the listener is gonna go through everything I did.
If you could tell your 18 year-old self anything, what would you say?
Keep the faith and don’t be so attached to results.