We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Russell 2.0. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Russell below.
Hi Russell, thanks for joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
Yes, I am blessed to but only because I co-wrote a Grammy award winning song at age sixteen. Had it not been for that, and my ability to play basketball, the journey would’ve been a bit more difficult. In saying that, writing one hit song, did not set me up financially for life. Therefore, many times along the way, I would take normal jobs just to live and fund my musical career. Being an artist, is just like any profession, it requires extreme work ethic, discipline, ambition, desire, etc, to be successful. I recall every job that I had to do, from shoveling snow, to being an executive in the automotive industry. It’s a bit of a cliché, but when a person invest their own, hard earned money and time, they tend to pursue their goals more serious.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Certainly, I was raised by a single mother in Kentucky and was blessed athletically to excel in baseball and basketball. During a summer league basketball tournament in Chicago, during the mid 90s, I was playing against R. Kelly, and was able to have the opportunity to write songs for him and other well known artists. This led to a record deal with Sony Entertainment. Also, I was able to get a duet with him, titled Rich Man, which I recently released, after keeping it private for twenty years. At that level, I was lucky enough to work with several high profile artist. On that note, I would never condone being disrespectful or mistreating women. I obviously moved on from that situation and I am very proud of my new songs, which are doing very well on social media and in other countries.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
When you see someone singing the words to a song that you wrote, it’s the most amazing feeling you can experience as an artist. Especially, when they’re from a different country and English is not their primary language. For me, that’s just amazing. Also, I really enjoy helping others. We all have gifts, and I’m very thankful that God gave me a creative mind. If I have an idea or something I’m doing, which can benefit someone else, I get as much satisfaction from that as I do in composing a new song. There’s a big opportunity for much more of this in the world. Uplifting and helping others is an incredible feeling. One of my songs titled; IG Girl, recently won a contest on TikTok with a music professional from Detroit, Michigan. High Vibration Jason is the host of a nightly music review show on TikTok. Jason has a really strong background in music, which he learned from his uncle and father. If you have an opportunity, please check out his show, it’s very competitive, but he is super helpful to artists looking for direction.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I believe that individuals who are pursuing a musical career, should not expect support from society. This is a profession that requires you to earn success and gives us an opportunity to provide something positive for others. I don’t believe in anything being owed by others.. Whatever it is, you may do in life, being professional and staying humble, pertaining to expectations of society, will always prevail. The Internet provides so much material to assist any individual who has the desire to win. We can look at any profession and the one thing that’s common with all is that you can’t force the end result. You must prepare and set yourself up for success and with me, for example, if I release a song and it’s not a hit, no one‘s going to listen to it and society owes me nothing. The days of not interacting with others, and people thinking they are better, are long gone. If someone wants support from society, I advise them to rehearse and give their all. This way, whatever level of success you achieve, it is earned and genuine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/RussellMusic2.0
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellmusic2.0?igsh=ODUxaTVyZTk2bHc4&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.tiktok.com/@russellmusic2.0?_t=8q0zTC0UZgZ&_r=1
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@russell2.0?si=al7_oO00EgNk_VaH
- Other: TikTok Has become an excellent platform for artist, especially those who receive their official artist page. Please see this link for mine;https://www.tiktok.com/@russellmusic2.0?_t=8q0zTC0UZgZ&_r=1
