Paul Russell (musician)

Last updated

Paul Russell
Paul Russell Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023 (cropped).jpg
Russell at the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Background information
Birth namePaul Jeffrey Russell [1]
Born (1997-11-28) November 28, 1997 (age 26) [2]
Education Cornell University (BS)
Origin Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
North Texas, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
  • business consultant
  • advertiser
Years active2018–present
Labels Arista

Paul Jeffrey Russell (born November 28, 1997) is an American rapper, singer, and business consultant based in Los Angeles. [3] He is best known for his 2023 single "Lil Boo Thang", which peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. After the song gained virality on TikTok, he signed to Arista Records to release it as a commercial single for the label. [3] [4] Before pursuing a music career, Russell worked as a business analyst and corporate advertiser. [5]

Contents

Early life and education

Russell was raised in the suburbs of Atlanta but attended Allen High School in Allen, Texas. [6] During his adolescence, he started listening to alternative rock, while also being exposed to Christian hip-hop, mainly through Lecrae's music. [7] In 2019, Russell graduated from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University. [8] Upon relocating to Los Angeles later that year, Russell started working at a brand consultancy. [9]

Career

While still in college, Russell started making music as Paulitics, [6] [7] uploading his first full songs on SoundCloud. [7] He was later approached by Christian hip-hop artist Ruslan, the co-founder and owner of Christian hip-hop label Kings Dream Entertainment, who had discovered Russell's music through his friend and former schoolmate Jet Trouble, a fellow Kings Dream signee. [6] [7] He subsequently started collaborating with Ruslan and other artists from the label, [6] [7] while completing an internship at Vans as part of his academic coursework. [7]

In August 2018, Russell officially signed to Kings Dream Entertainment as an artist, [6] [10] and released his first commercial single, "Meet Me Outside". [10] On October 12 of the same year, Russell released his first project through Kings Dream, Via Text, a joint album with Ruslan. [11] In November of the same year, he featured on Reach Records' Christmas compilation The Gift: A Christmas Compilation, on the song "We Three Kings" (together with Abe Parker and Lecrae). [12]

On March 29, 2019, Russell released his debut solo album, Once in a Dry Season, through Kings Dream, which included features from the likes of Ruslan, Jon Keith and Montell Fish. [13] [14] In January 2020, he was included in the yearly Freshmen List of CHH online magazine Rapzilla. [15] Beginning later the same year, he started promoting his music through his TikTok profile. [9] [16] From 2021 onwards, Russell released a number of singles through independent label Boom.Records.[ citation needed ] In August 2021, he featured on Reach Records' compilation Summer ’21, on the song "Never Give Up" alongside Tedashii. [17] In July 2022, he featured on the same label's compilation Summer Twenty-Two, on the song "Wouldn't U Rather" with together with DJ Mykael V and Jon Keith. [18] [19]

On June 28, 2023, Russell first previewed a snippet of his track "Lil Boo Thang" on TikTok; the clip went viral on the platform the following month, and he subsequently agreed to sign a deal with Arista Records to release the song as a full commercial single. [3] [9] [20] "Lil Boo Thang" was officially released on August 18 of the same year; [3] [20] the single debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 99 in September 2023, marking Russell's first appearance on the chart, [20] and went on to peak at number 14 in January 2024. [21] As a result of the song's success, he went on to make live guest appearances at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, [22] [23] on Jimmy Kimmel Live! [24] and on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve in the following months. [25] [26]

On January 26, 2024, Russell released his second single through Arista Records, "Say Cheese". [27] [28] Later that year, Russell was announced as an opening act supporting Meghan Trainor on The Timeless Tour. [29]

Discography

Solo albums

List of solo albums, with selected details
TitleAlbum details
Once in a Dry Season
  • Released: March 29, 2019
  • Label: Kings Dream Entertainment

Collaborative albums

List of collaborative albums, with selected details
TitleAlbum details
Via Text
(with Ruslan)
  • Released: October 10, 2018
  • Label: Kings Dream Entertainment

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications
TitleYearPeak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[30] 		US
Adult
Pop
[31] 		US
Pop
[32] 		US
Rhy.
[33] 		AUS
[34] 		CAN
[35] 		IRE
[36] 		UK
[37] 		WW
[38]
"Get Back"
(with Ruslan)		2018—————————Via Text
"Breeze"
(with Ruslan)		—————————
"Birthday"
(with Ruslan)		—————————
"Kalamazoo"
(featuring Jon Keith and TrossTheGiant)		2019—————————Once in a Dry Season
"45th Avenue Interlude"
(featuring Ruslan and Jon Keith)		—————————
"Open Road"—————————
"Feels Like a Dream"—————————
"Kimbo Slice"—————————
"Find My Way"
(with Oh-So featuring Kaleb Mitchell)		—————————Non-album singles
"Friends"
(with Ruslan)		—————————
"Julio Jones"—————————
"Personal Brand"
(with Foggieraw)		2020—————————
"Facetime (4G LTE)"
(with Kuwada)		—————————
"Hallelujah"2021—————————
"Nose Job"
(with Wes Walker)		—————————
"Jeans"2022—————————
"Glossier"—————————
"H4U"—————————
"Ms. Poli Sci"—————————
"Be That Too"2023—————————
"Lil Boo Thang"
(solo or Galantis remix)		1425811528
[39] 		2079
"Say Cheese"2024—————————
"Eat Pray Love"—————————
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
List of singles as featured artist
TitleYear
"Reminiscing"
(Oh-So with Paul Russell and Lawren)		2019
"Somebody New"
(Abe Parker with Paul Russell)		2020
"Sushi"
(Cole Tindal with Paul Russell and TrossTheGiant)		2021
"Goodbye"
(Shanin Blake with Paul Russell)
"Never Give Up"
(166 with Paul Russell and Tedashii)
"Yours!"
(Barely Trev with Paul Russell)		2022

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, showing year released and album name
TitleOther artist(s)YearAlbum
"We Three Kings" Lecrae and Abe Parker2018The Gift
"Chaotic" [44] —2023 Good Burger 2 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Tours

Opening act

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References

  1. ↑ "Lil' Boo Thang — ACE Repertory".
  2. ↑ Grant, Sean David. "Paul Russell Releases "Birthday" Single"". Trackstars. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Schneider, Marc. "'Lil Boo Thang' Viral Artist Paul Russell Signs With Arista". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  4. ↑ "This rapper's song went viral before it was even available to stream. The full version is out now". Inquirer.com.
  5. ↑ "Paul Russell — Senior Business Analyst at NAX Group".
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Lee, Zachary (August 14, 2018). "With (the) Kings Dream: Interview with Paul Russell" . Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "From Dry Seasons to Open Roads: The Musical Journey of Paul Russell". Rapzilla. April 8, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  8. ↑ n.a/. "2016 High Road Fellows". ILR School. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 "MUSIC Paul Russell's Lil Boo Thang has become a big thing". Reel360. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Sarachik, Justin (August 2, 2018). "Paul Russell Joins Kings Dream Ent, Drops 'Meet Me Outside' Video". Rapzilla. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  11. ↑ Sarachik, Justin (October 12, 2018). "Ruslan and Paul Russell Release Joint Album 'Via Text', Listen Now". Rapzilla. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  12. ↑ Sarachik, Justin (November 23, 2018). "Reach Records Drops 'The Gift: A Christmas Compilation'". Rapzilla. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Paul Russell Breaks Down New Project 'Once in a Dry Season'". Rapzilla. March 26, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Paul Russell Stole a Song From Ruslan to Make 'Once in a Dry Season'". Rapzilla. March 29, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Rapzilla.com's 2020 Freshmen List Revealed". Rapzilla. January 30, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Christian Rap Artists Making Viral TikToks & the Songs that are Taking Off". Rapzilla. March 31, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Reach Records takes CHH Global with their 'Summer '21 Playlist' to be released on August 13th". Jesusfreakhideout.com. August 13, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  18. ↑ Sarachik, Justin (July 8, 2022). "Reach Records 116 Summer Twenty-Two Playlist Features 30 Artists". Rapzilla. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  19. ↑ Asare, Jackie O. (July 8, 2022). "Reach Records Releases Summer '22 Playlist Today, July 8th". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  20. 1 2 3 Zellner, Xander (September 26, 2023). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Paul Russell's 'Lil Boo Thang' Gets Bigger With Debut". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of January 13, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  22. ↑ Dresdale, Andrea (November 22, 2023). "Lil Turkey Thang: Paul Russell brings his viral hit to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade". ABC Audio Digital Syndication. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade recap: All the floats, performances and more". NBC News. November 23, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Watch Jimmy Kimmel Live! Season 22 Episode 35 Mon, Dec 04, 2023 Online". ABC. December 5, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Lil New Thang: Paul Russell is "super pumped" to rock 'New Year's Rockin' Eve'". KSTP-FM. December 28, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  26. ↑ Sarachik, Justin (January 4, 2024). "Paul Russell Performs 'Lil Boo Thang' on ABC's New Year's Rockin Eve". Rapzilla. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  27. ↑ Thompson, Mary Pat (January 26, 2024). "Paul Russell drops new single, "Say Cheese"". ABC Audio Digital Syndication. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  28. ↑ Major, Michael (January 26, 2024). "Paul Russell Reminds Us to Smile on New Track 'Say Cheese'". Broadway World. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  29. ↑ Mier, Tomás. "Meghan Trainor Announces 'Timeless' Album and First Tour in 7 Years". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  30. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of January 13, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Adult Pop Airplay: Week of February 3, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  32. ↑ "Pop Airplay: Week of November 25, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Rhythmic Airplay: Week of December 9, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  34. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of January 13, 2024". Billboard . Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  36. ↑ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association . Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100: 5 January – 11 January 2024". Official Charts Company . Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  38. ↑ "Billboard Global 200: Week of January 13, 2024". Billboard . Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  39. ↑ "Top 100 Singles, Week Ending 5 January 2024". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  40. ↑ "American certifications – Paul Russell". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  41. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles for week of 12 February 2024". Australian Recording Industry Association. February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  42. ↑ "British certifications – Paul Russell". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved February 28, 2024.Type Paul Russell in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  43. ↑ "Canadian certifications – Paul Russell". Music Canada . Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  44. ↑ "Wiz Khalifa, Yung Gravy & More Lead 'Good Burger 2' Soundtrack". Billboard. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
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