"How many faking they streams? Getting they plays from machines" - J.Cole

Not going to lie, not a fan of the mans music because it just isn't my style, but I got a ton of respect for him. He has been catching heat for years because he has been telling people to not sign to the industry and stay independent. He has been openly providing the blueprint for free to anyone who asks or pays attention but they all talk trash on him or ignore him...then complain about how their labels are screwing them on a 360 deal and inflating their cost recoupment numbers and deflating their actual sales numbers for payout. Decades of the industry screwing artists but nobody wants to take the risks or put in the work to actually force the change that needs to be made. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results.

Cardi B's team is phenomenal when it comes to the stream jacking.

I got rappers in my city buying views & streams but can barely get anyone at their shows. The worst part is they wanna charge you for a feature. The game is silly!

Im the one that tagged you on twitter about this. Im glad you covered this. Im so tired of the monopoly billboard has on the music industry. The rule changes to suit them anytime they want. Something needs to be done.

If you understand streaming numbers on even the most basic level. 42k truly independent is CRAZY. He literally has no to lie over an additional 10k streams. Salute to bro

This is why I hate when ppl say numbers don’t lie. Everything on this earth is a damn lie. Like everything

I do PR, billboards, marketing for music and other businesses. This video is accurate, faking streams can make you money but not real fans.

Russ is a very brave man. Tom Petty did the same exposing the industry for unfair record prices in the early 80s. They tried to kill him but he dodged it and held on 30 more years. That's TUFF

This is one of the reasons I am almost given up on my music ”career”. 3 years of publishing music without any ”good” results. It just feels it ain’t worth it. Too much ”fake it till you make it” in streams, finances, personas or in people in general. I gave 100% on the art itself and always bought ads on them. Gained a few followers here and there and only recently it felt like it’s nothing and this music thing ain’t going anywhere. Ofc it gave me joy and ofc I’ve learned a skill that is not that easy to do, but sometimes in life you have to look yourself in the mirror and ask is there something else worth pursuing. I’ve recently asked myself that question however, I wish to all artists the best of luck!

This is probably one of the reasons certain rappers hate Russ. Exposure is the best disinfectant.

That’s why counting streams as sales can never compare to going into a store and buying a physical copy.

I know russ got mad haters but him dedicating his music to putting out one song a week for years and years and staying indy is insane work ethic, crazy track record and creative process, he knows signed artists can't call bs cause they gonna get blackballed from growing. I always respected russ and this is another W for being real, idk how people don't see how labels hurt artists in the long run but its obvious. You get a check to get a chain and some whips then you gotta meet a quota like ion get it fr

As an indie artist, I ain’t concerned. The false idols will fall soon enough. I keep doin my thing and keeping my nose to the grind. I ain’t worried. Shit’s lowkey getting biblical tho with how many artists have been exposed this year. 😮

Streaming numbers are deceiving, they can be manipulated and make some look a lot bigger than what they actually are. I don't know Russ as well as other people, but revealing stuff like this is why I respect him.

It's obvious when I see comments mentioning "authentic views" in a sentence.

“Taking shortcuts could have your whole career cut short” -Russ

He's right. The gatekeeping is unreal. They've been doing it for decades, and they lock talented artists out with it at unreal rates. They certainly destroyed my career. I used to have over 10k fans. All gone, deals gone, plays gone, everything gone. They sabotaged my marketing, so I was always shadow banned across platforms. All my reach just disappeared, and legitimate plays were removed as fake even though they had corresponding comments. They even claimed some of my original music and got strikes against my channel. Back then, you get a strike, even if you prove the content was yours, the strike didn't come off for some people. I was one of those unlucky people, so I stopped uploading.

That song Paint The Town Red is a prime example of boosting streams and hijacking any and every playlist on Spotify. The MOST inorganic No. 1 that I've seen this year. Russ is doing what Nicki did and got blackballed for it.

I remember when nicki minaj call this out, when Travis Scott was selling merch bundles to boosted his sale numbers.

The same way how Jay-Z faked streams on Tidal and faked Beyoncé’s stream. I remember that was exposed years ago

Russ is a lot of things but he's definitely not a liar. Mad respect to him for his transparency

Mad respect for Russ for this. It’s not about being bitter. He is right. The industry would LOVE this guy if he had signed. Self made, self producing, self mixing, basically the first to do that since Kanye, and even Kanye had help. Handsome dude. Appeals to women. If he would have signed. Him and drake woulda had a collab album by now, and center stage. AND dude is talented. He would be the great white hope for those who still keep race in it. But he kept it to his own. And the propaganda started. And people bought into it. People he is even trying to protect and warn against the beast of the industry. Bruh is talented and works hard. Always has. I met his main hommie Bugus back in 2011, when I was in Gwinnet(NORTH Atlanta for people who don’t know.) going to school for audio engineering. and he shows me a music video, all self mad of “his lil hommie Russ” and it was this dude, baby face, short hair cut, teenager who you could tell was putting his all into his craft. I knew bro was going places. I appreciate what he is doing for real art. Real independent art. The music industry is a parasite(by definition). Shout to to Russ bro. The hate is either bought without pay, racism, or just trendy.

When Nicki said this people called her bitter.

“Say what I feel, deal with whatever that comes with, cause you only hurting yourself when you’re biting your tongue” -Russ

Shout out to the indies doing real numbers 🙌🏽

Nicki and cole been telling us since 2018

Look at all the “small” artists with less album sales and less streams performing at the same or bigger venues as “popular” artists. People are noticing.

Cardi B this is for you

While I’m not the biggest Russ fan, he still got my respect for what he does

It’s interesting to see how fast these most recent artist have been fleeting. Like have the labels not notice that their overhead going in the negative because people are starting to wake up and realize that these so called rappers are pushed down their throats. Something’s gotta give, and it’s always the artist before the label.

No wonder Cardi B hasn’t went on tour after all these years, all her streams and followers are fake to make her look poppin

This is why Russ is one of my favorite artists. Not only does his music have quality to it, but he’s stayed true to himself and his craft no matter how much money they offered him & knows his worth.

great video bro, its good explaination for people to open up their eyes to how the music industry really works.

The definition of the term “industry plant” just became legitimized even more than it was before

Frickin sick vid homie. Every time you post I feel like there is REAL advice for artists. Learned so much from your videos, always a pleasure 🙏🌹

6ix9ine told us 3 years ago and nobody cared

Russ is a different breed in the game but you cant deny that he knows his shit and takes the genre serious.

Everybody should know this by now.

Great video as usual man. So many people are attracted to the fake trophies they buy themselves over having a legit long term career.

I really appreciate your videos bro. Sometimes you'll say things that will have me like "nah he's trippin" but I appreciate that you're honest and will always stay true to you.

Props on him. The hero we needed with the way the industry is headed

Russ is such a whistleblower 😂😂😂😂 god damn

This might be the best video you ever posted, u exposed mad shi in this one - Great work!

Tbh I don’t like Russ music but I respect his hustle.

Summrs was mad at his label cause they put fake stream on his SoundCloud album. He made a story post about it a while back

fake comments are the worse all those emojis and fake name s

I know one of the companies you're talking about, they also have private lists of artists who KNOW the streams are fake and have NDA's around it.

Just a reminder like Russ doesn't have to do this. He's making his money, he's spreading his message in his music, he could just keep quiet and continue making his bag but he's choosing to explain all of this to us.

Love him or hate him, Russ is really on his shit when it comes to industry games.

This was a really informative vid, great job Blacky!

Russ needs more respect.

Tbh, I had no idea who this guy was until watching this video. I will say he's smart. Lss, I wanted to be an Entertainment Lawyer, that was my dream job. It was my dream job until I started working in the industry. I saw so many people getting f-ed over to the point that ditched going to law school at all. I'm still in the industry, just another compactly. My advice to any artists out there that may be reading this: Always, Always Own Your Masters! No matter how good the money looks, never give them up. I wish Russ good luck in the future and to keep fighting for what's right. ✌🏾

I be so in tune with your commentary & editing style. That I forget to comment You're an Awesome Artist

This is why I idolized, appreciate, and adore Russ. He is just genuine and relatable with his music and the way he exposes the industry for changing the rules to benefit something or someone. I will always support this man whatever circumstances that may be coming to his life, whether personal or his career. KEEP EXPOSING THEM RUSS!

Thing is Russ is not wrong wasnt like 4 months ago Atlantic got caught faking streams for there Artist on KZfaq?

nicki minaj talked about the same thing. billboard plays with particular artists numbers while lets other artists fake their ways to the top.

Dude, super informative. thank you. All the best with your YT Channel!

Can you make a video about MIA, I think she is the female version of ye but no one talks about her..

Very hypocritical of Russ when he literally purchased fake streams for "Are You Entertainted" LMAO. The video got 20 million views in a couple days, and then stopped getting views all of a sudden, with the like/comment ratio not matching the view count. The video still has around 20 million views to this day.

I hate fake streams with a passion fr, there's no since of accomplishment and you won't even get paid cause sites know what's users are real and which ones are bots so there really is no reason in boting plays nd views

Amazing video, appreciate you making it RS.

10:31 It's sad how I figured you were talking about Trippie Redd before I even looked him up to see if he canceled his tour. I'm a huge Trippie fan, but he's been fumbling hard recently.

he’s always been one to speak out on things in the industry being corrupt and about himself being self made and basically being a one man show since he does all aspects of his songs himself. the fact that any label, company, anyone in the industry would think he would stay quiet is foolish. he don’t care who’s against him, he’s not backing down

You have to overstand, sometimes the calling is bigger than our own lives.

Im only like a 3rd the way through so far but I gotta say man this is a pretty good video 🤷🏻‍♂️👍 very good production and the commentary is factual and to the point but also casual and very consumable. Just the right amount of in depth and explanation to everything without being too vague or overcomplicated. A good job explaining the industry in a simplified universally understandable way. Good job man keep up the good work. You're doing great work at these type of videos. I think videos like this are a great competition to traditional news style reporting. It feels more personal and more binge-able.. I think this style is the future for a lot of news media coverage and a comprehensive cataloging of a whole story vs single events. It's great having the whole story all put together so neat and informative like this with the casual personal touch 👍💯

Very good episode, Blacky 🔥🔥

I don’t get it with some of these Artois like lil baby and da baby because I hear everyone listening to their music they everywhere yet canceling shows is crazy

Not surprised. No wonder the media is the same. Once I’ve heard streaming farms I’m like 👀👀👀👀☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️

The point is for us not to only watch and join forces with people like Russ, cause we got more power than we actually think, I love the leadership he’s displaying

They wanna destroy artist like Russ cause they don’t want others following in his footsteps I salute him for fighting back I hope it goes well for him cause he is playing a dangerous game

Russ exposing that merch bundles only count for label artists is the real exposé

Blacky, you're right :) nail on the head as always (mostly always). It's sad, but even when artists incorporate it into their work, these 'fans' still don't realise. Also, it's blatant, always has been.

I remember Nicki Minaj said something along those lines when it came to Travis Scott and his bundle streams. Unfortunately, it was overlooked due to her delivery. But the message remains.

LETS GOOOOOOO!!!! I love our generation. Breaking all these industry formats and not bending to their whim. Making it much safer and accessible for newer artists. I gotta give Russ props

I can’t help but feel like Ice Spice is the perfect example of this. I genuinely cannot name ONE person that I know that actually enjoys her music. I’m sure they exist, but statistically given how big she’s gotten (and how fast) what are the odds that I can’t name one person that streams her stuff? It’s like she’s just being forced on everyone and the machine is working overtime to get her where she is.

"Take off them fabricated streams and them microwave memes, it's a real world outside (take that shit off)". - Kendrick

Love him or hate him you can’t deny Russ has been putting in consistent work for a minute

@everyone its wonderful to see that you all knew and see what is going on in the biz. I started on this journey during the transition from disc to digital. finally everyone is catching up and see what is going on. As if you said this in 2013 etc you would have been lookin like someone who is just talkin. plus as most of you know they were doin the same with physical since this whole thing started. propped up fake etc but they have enough people that are genuine to play within the numbers and no one looks twice. washing also is a big part of the puzzle. big ups. 1/4 mil lets hope this vid gets 1 mil

Thank you Blacky!!!

What Russ said is exactly what I’ve been thinking. Look at KEY GLOCK doesn’t get attention from mainstream but man constantly drops fire music and his shows sell out comparing to these wack ass rappers.

Russ is the goat, if you make music like me his audiobook "it's all in your head" is a must listen and available free on youtube

U put this video together very well, Bro!! I’d never fake anything!!

Believe in yourselves and each other and never give up on your dreams and aspirations and remember to be kind and uplifting to each other and open minded and genuine and respectful and humble. 💯❤️

Look at what Russ said about burna boy. Burna a Nigerian artist is selling out arenas in the US meanwhile a lot of these artists with 3 times the amount of monthly Listeners in the US can’t

Blacky look like he could be Stephen A. Smith's child

Very informative content, thank you. You are also a very goof storyteller 👍🏼

Dope video - always wondered about this

Respect Russ. His music is great and he preaches the artist's truth.

Doja cat is the perfect example, how is it her latest songs are blowing up when everyone has said they dislike her bc she’s ungrateful and entitled 💀 they’re tryna make it seem like everybody still loves her so ppl can like her again and its working because I’m not seeing as much backlash as before Just wanna add that some of yall will be the reason when we are in real life purge fending for our lives as middle age and old people because the next generation is gonna be a bunch of devil worshippers u cant tell what to do at all because we are letting the industry continue to push the demonic agenda with people like doja cat and she’s basically slapping yall “fans” in the face and laughing like i can do whatever I want with no consequence. Dont yall realize this is what the elites want? They want people doing whatever they want so it can be complete chaos and they can bring the new world order in and yall just letting it happen smh make sure yall keep the same energy for doja cat when u cant even walk to ur mailbox without a weapon

Question Blacky, what can we as fans do to go against billboard or the steaming companies but still support our favorite artist in general how can we help the artist not the industry? Maybe clarify also help put a stop to the industry doing this to the artist how can we as fans help stop the industry as well?

Russ, Nicki Minaj, and J-Cole been put us on game about that. Y’all just ignored Russ and let him get Blackballed while Nicki was called butter and delusional…

Very informative and well put together video shining a light on an important topic that flies beneath the radar. It explains why an artist like Da Baby, still manages to have such a high number of monthly listeners even after his fall from grace. My only nitpick is that unfortunately it's too idealistic to speak in absolute terms and say faking streams _"always"_ backfires. As many people seem to indulge in it, it's inevitable that there exist some well-established and successful artists who started out faking it until they made it, so to speak. Plus, isn't faking stream a part of the industry plant starter kit? And some plants end up doing very well for themselves.

Remember when Nicki Minaj spoke about this and Everyone called her bitter and a flop? It takes a man to say something for people to finally listen. So when Nicki speaks about music politics next time. LISTEN because she said this years ago

Thank you Russ for speaking up for independent artists.

I know an aspiring rapper who gets his fans to power up all their old devices and runs his streams 24 hrs a day, cuz he believes it will bring him success 😆

We need more videos on russ hes an indie god at this point

Well put together

It's also sad seeing smaller artist getting caught up in the chasing numbers game. They waste so much money trying to keep up an illusion, botted followers, botted plays, botted interactions. "Fake it til you make it" doesn't work with your artistry and when trying to building a community. These bigger label personalities are a perfect example of the smoke and mirrors.

Nicki Minaj did call this out but people thought she was just bitter and jealous of cardi b