Russ, the artist best known for his eight-times-platinum single “Losin Control,” was honored for his achievements as a songwriter at the just-concluded Music Biz conference in Atlanta on Thursday (May 14). At the event, he was presented with an NMPA Gold & Platinum Recognition plaque — commemorating his 26 RIAA-certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum songs as a songwriter — by the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA).
“Russ represents exactly what the NMPA Gold & Platinum program was created to celebrate: exceptional songwriting that creates a lasting connection with audiences around the world,” said NMPA president and CEO David Israelite in a statement. “Today we are recognizing an extraordinary body of work spanning 26 certified songs across Gold, Platinum, Multi Platinum, and major milestone certifications, including ‘Best on Earth,’ ‘What They Want,’ and the 8x Platinum ‘Losin Control.’ These certifications are the most definitive measurement of a songwriter’s success, and Russ’s catalog reflects not only remarkable commercial achievement, but years of consistency, vision, and dedication to his craft.”
Over his career, Russ has scooped up 12 gold records, eight platinum records, three double-platinum records, a triple-platinum certification for “Best on Earth,” a five-times platinum certification for “What They Want” and an eight-times platinum certification for “Losin Control.” The awards were presented to Russ on stage after a fireside chat between Israelite and Sound Royalties founder and CEO Alex Heche.
According to Luminate, Russ’ catalog has garnered 8.2 million album consumption units and nearly 11 billion streams in the U.S. On a global basis, his streams total 24 billion.
“Russ’s career is a testament to what can happen when artistry, discipline, and long term vision come together,” said former Tunecore CEO Andreea Gleeson — who currently heads up her own Andreea Gleeson Advisory but has worked with Russ, who has some of his music distributed by Tunecore — in a statement. “What has always stood out to me from working with him over the years is not just that he is an exceptional artist, but that he is a truly exceptional songwriter and creative thinker across every part of his work. Whether it’s music, storytelling, live experiences, or the way he builds connection with fans, everything is approached with incredible intention. This recognition is such a meaningful reflection of the depth, consistency, and impact of his songwriting over time.”
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Besides working as a songwriter and recording artist, Russ also serves as a record producer, entrepreneur, author and actor. He’s slated to star in the upcoming feature film Don’t Move.
“We’re incredibly proud to celebrate Russ and his many songwriting achievements,” said Sony Music Publishing senior director of creative Omar Grant in a statement. “He has built a catalog that continues to resonate with audiences around the world and across generations, and we are thrilled to see him receive this well-deserved recognition.”
“We’re especially excited to celebrate Russ at Music Biz this year because the conference is taking place in Atlanta, a city that has had such an enormous impact on global music and culture,” said Music Business Association president Portia Sabin in a statement. “Russ represents so much of what is shaping the future of the industry today through his artistry, songwriting, entrepreneurship, and direct connection with audiences. It felt incredibly fitting to recognize one of Atlanta’s most impactful artists in his hometown during this year’s conference.”
