Russ is expanding ‘W!LD’ with a fresh deluxe edition titled ‘The Elephant and The Rider.’

Russ is expanding his 2024 album W!LD with a brand-new deluxe edition titled The Elephant and The Rider. Instead of releasing all tracks at once, Russ is taking a unique approach—dropping each song one at a time. The rollout kicks off this Friday with the release of “Recognize” featuring Jessy Blakemore, giving fans a steady stream of new music to look forward to.

The original version of W!LD was praised for its balance of sharp lyricism, smooth production, and Russ’s ability to fuse rap and R&B with ease. It included standout tracks like “In the Dirt,” “Work It Out,” “Last Night,” and “Wild Wild,” each showcasing different facets of Russ’s artistry.

Commercially, W!LD opened strong, selling 32,000 first-week units and landing in the Top 20 of the Billboard 200. The success reaffirmed Russ’s independent dominance, as he continues to thrive without major-label backing while cultivating a fiercely loyal fanbase.

With The Elephant and The Rider, Russ is signaling growth, depth, and a new creative layer. By spacing out the releases, he’s ensuring each track gets its own spotlight—keeping listeners engaged and proving once again why his independent grind continues to resonate in the industry.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.