Russ has announced that his next album will be titled SANTIAGO and that it will release on Friday, August 18, 2023. He reflected on the announcement in a lengthy statement posted on social media, Saturday afternoon. In doing so, he also shared the cover art for the project.
“This album represents my mental, spiritual, physical and emotional journey to my treasure (I talk more about what my treasure is on the album but it’s symbolized by the pyramid). The journey at times wasn’t and isn’t pretty," Russ wrote. "I’ve put myself through the ringer and beat myself up quite a bit along the way. The front cover depicts externally what that sort of psychological warfare looks like."
Read More: How Russ is Dominating the Independent Hip-Hop Space
Russ In Concert
From there, he continued to discuss the artwork while noting that the project is available for pre-order now. “The back cover depicts the internal dynamics at play. Myself, my inner child and my shadow. It’s a battle vs myself at all times and I had to do a lot of self excavation to make this album," he said.
Russ continued: “I’m really excited. I’m really nervous. SANTIAGO is my journey to self love & self mastery while touching on the obstacles that have provided resistance along the way…feelings of emptiness, inadequacy, imposter syndrome, doubt, anger, shame (to name a few) and ultimately issues from my childhood that have shown up in my adult life. It’s my attempt to understand, navigate and heal. It’s the most vulnerable music I’ve ever made and I had to do a lot of excavating to make it. I hope that by listening to me face my own emotions, you all gain the courage to face your own. It was a confronting experience and I hope it resonates with people who are trying to navigate the obstacles on their own journey because as Paulo Coelho said, 'one man’s journey is every man’s journey.'”
Russ' "SANTIAGO" Announcement
The SANTIAGO announcement comes one month after the release of his latest EP, CHOMP 2.5. That project featured production from Boi-1da, Alchemist, Havoc, 9th Wonder, and more across six tracks.
Read More: Russ Reveals New EP From CHOMP Series, “CHOMP 2.5”
[Via]
