at some point every rapper needs that next level look.

debate me (with examples)

Russ

stop playing

WHO?

i agree with u op

there may be like 1% that defy the odds

he has multi platinum songs from his debut album that also went platinum independently, has crazy numbers on spotify etc

you cannot become an A-list artist without radio and getting on radio means you have to be on a major label

🤡

i have never ever heard a Russ song in my life

Okay but that still answers your question, just because you don’t know him it doesn’t mean he isn’t relevant

nope

That’s true, but slowly I think that people are needing less and less radio exposure. By 2030 radio will probably be completely dead.

Xxxtentacion exists

Relevant, as in mainstream yeah no.

But you can definitely build up some niche loyal fans on your own

kinda true but getting signed doesnt mean automatic success. most rappers would honestly be better off without a deal

even e40 and too short went major at some point

people act like its so easy, like all you have to do is upload to soundcloud and then BOOM, record labels are irrelevant

Who’s gonna tell him?

Macklemore wasn’t signed I believe

I don’t think radio will die because billboard is so depended on it

He has a weird deal where Warner Bros pushes his songs to radio even though he's indie

but the music will always be better without one

Did that happen before Thrift shop or because of it tho?

russ came in the game signed. just wasn't a traditional deal. that's not the same as being independent