Russ Reveals Uncleared Sample Cost Him Almost $1 Million

Popular rapper and producer Russ continues to voice his concerns about the glorification of substance abuse in Hip Hop culture. In a recent interview with Aria Nejati on Apple Music, the New Jersey native addressed the growing trend of promoting drugs like Xanax (Xans) and Lean in rap lyrics and on social media platforms.

“That message had to be said,” Russ stated. “Someone within the hip hop community needed to speak out against the normalization and glamorization of drug addiction, especially from a social media perspective.”

The rapper, known for his outspokenness, referred back to his controversial 2017 viral post, where he wore a T-shirt that read, “How much Xans and Lean do you have to do before you realize you’re a fucking loser.” The photo sparked intense debate but also highlighted Russ’s stance on mental health and responsibility in music.

He explained further: “It’s about how people try to make substance use look cool online, without understanding the impact they have — especially on young listeners and teenagers. I’m not saying I’m a perfect role model, but as a music artist, you either inspire people to self-destruct or inspire them to grow and improve.”

Russ added, “A lot of the rap music coming out today encourages self-destruction. It glorifies drug use, depression, and toxic behavior. That’s a dangerous message.”

This strong opinion from Russ adds to ongoing conversations about mental health awareness, artist influence, and drug culture in the music industry.