W!LD (album)
Basic Information
Released: June 27, 2025
Recorded: 2024 – 2025
Genre: Hip-Hop / Rap
Background and Release
On May 21, 2025, Russ released the official album trailer for W!LD.[1] The album officially launched on June 27, 2025 via his independent label Diemon.[2][3][4] In media commentary, it was noted that the title and artwork reflect Russ’s intention to explore his “internal landscape” after years of external success.[5][6] Promotional singles released ahead of the album included “Movin’” (March 28, 2025)[7], “April 7” (April 4, 2025)[8] and “Crazy” (May 9, 2025)[9].
Artwork and Title
Russ explained that the title W!LD represents his “evolved perspective on life’s inherent unpredictability and the transitional phase between resisting life’s challenges and embracing them.”[11] The cover art features an ambiguous animal (possibly a wolf or horse hybrid) looking backwards, set against a clean background, symbolizing looking back at the comfort zone while stepping into unknown territory.[5] The album art was designed by James Coffman [12] with creative direction from KidSuper Studios [13].
Track Listing
- User Guide Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Russ & Grant Robertson Writers: Russ, Grant Robertson, Jake Jepson, Howard Lemon & Kiri Gerbs
- Go Up Background Vocals: Lauren Santi Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Mario Luciano & Russ Writers: Russ, Aaron Paris, Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs & Mario Luciano
- Movin’ Producers: Russ, Kiri Gerbs, Elyas, Kofo, Jake Jepson & Jake One Writers: Russ, Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Halfway, Kofo & Elyas)
- La La La Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Russ, Dycemadeit & Lodoni Writer: Russ
- April 7 Producers: Russ, Ari PenSmith, Kiri Gerbs, OZ & Jake Jepson Writers: Russ, Ari PenSmith, OZ, Kiri Gerbs, Jake Jepson & Halfway
- Crazy Producers: Russ, Malthe Them, Jake Jepson & Kiri Gerbs Writers: Russ, Halfway, Kiri Gerbs, Jake Jepson & Malthe Them
- Pent Up In a Penthouse Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Russ, Trustmelucien & Aaron Paris Writers: Russ, Trustmelucien, Kiri Gerbs, Jake Jepson & Aaron Paris)
- Gettin’ To It (featuring DJ Lucas) Producers: Jake Jepson, Jimmy Q, Kiri Gerbs & Russ Writers: Russ, DJ Lucas, Jake Jepson, Jimmy Q & Kiri Gerbs
- Trying Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Russ & Mihji Grey Writer: Russ
- Superman Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs & Russ Writer: Russ
- How’d You Do It Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs & Russ Writer: Russ
- Tell Me Who Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs & Russ Writer: Russ
- Worried Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Russ & Dycemadeit Writer: Russ
- Embrace Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs & Russ Writer: Russ
- Right Now Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs & Russ Writer: Russ
- Forever Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs & Russ Writer: Russ
- Cyclone Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Russ & Mihji Grey Writer: Russ
- West Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs & Russ Writers: Russ, Jake Jepson & Kiri Gerbs
- Lonely Road Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Mxnu & Russ Writer: Russ
W!LD Deluxe: The Elephant & The Rider (album)
Basic Information
Released: August 29, 2025 (lead single release) / full album rolling release
Recorded: 2025
Background and Concept
On August 26, 2025, Russ announced via Instagram that the deluxe version of the album would be titled The Elephant & The Rider. He described the title as coming from a psychology concept: “the elephant is your body (instincts, emotions, the nervous system) and the rider is your mind.” He said the album chapter is about learning to lead oneself through the unknown not with force but with understanding. He also said the rollout would be one song at a time, with vinyl pre-orders forthcoming and shipping once the full deluxe is complete. [14]
Artwork
Russ noted that the deluxe cover artworks (three versions: front, back, alternate) were made by visual artist Kills The Brand (@killkamau on Instagram), with graphic design by Radha (@radha) of Head Empty Co. He described this as the next chapter in the same story begun with W!LD: “W!LD was about breaking free from internal constraints, and this one is about navigating the uncertainty that follows.” [14]
Release Strategy
Russ indicated that he will “keep growing” the deluxe album over time, releasing tracks one at a time as part of the chapter. He commented: “I don’t know how long this chapter will last… could be four months, could be a year… but as long as I’m in it, the music will live here.” [14]
Track Listing (to date)
- Shut Me Up (featuring Big Sean) Release Date: September 19, 2025 Producers: Russ & Helluva Writers: Russ, Big Sean & Helluva Samples: “Come Wander With Me” by Jeff Alexander (featuring Bonnie Beecher)
- Recognize (featuring Jessy Blakemore) Release Date: August 29, 2025 Producers: Russ, Jake Jepson & Kiri Gerbs Writers: Russ, Jessy Blakemore, Jake Jepson & Kiri Gerbs Samples: “shiloh type beat” by Jessy Blakemore
- I Want You Release Date: October 10, 2025 Producers: Russ, Matt Cohn, Kai Gerbi, Kiri Gerbs, Jake Jepson & Steven Shaeffer Writer: Russ
- User Guide Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Russ & Grant Robertson Writers: Russ, Grant Robertson, Jake Jepson, Howard Lemon & Kiri Gerbs
- Go Up Background Vocals: Lauren Santi Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Mario Luciano & Russ Writers: Russ, Aaron Paris, Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs & Mario Luciano
- Movin’ Producers: Russ, Kiri Gerbs, Elyas, Kofo, Jake Jepson & Jake One Writers: Russ, Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Halfway, Kofo & Elyas)
- La La La Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Russ, Dycemadeit & Lodoni Writer: Russ
- April 7 Producers: Russ, Ari PenSmith, Kiri Gerbs, OZ & Jake Jepson Writers: Russ, Ari PenSmith, OZ, Kiri Gerbs, Jake Jepson & Halfway
- Crazy Producers: Russ, Malthe Them, Jake Jepson & Kiri Gerbs Writers: Russ, Halfway, Kiri Gerbs, Jake Jepson & Malthe Them
- Pent Up In a Penthouse Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Russ, Trustmelucien & Aaron Paris Writers: Russ, Trustmelucien, Kiri Gerbs, Jake Jepson & Aaron Paris)
- Gettin’ To It (featuring DJ Lucas) Producers: Jake Jepson, Jimmy Q, Kiri Gerbs & Russ Writers: Russ, DJ Lucas, Jake Jepson, Jimmy Q & Kiri Gerbs
- Trying Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Russ & Mihji Grey Writer: Russ
- Superman Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs & Russ Writer: Russ
- How’d You Do It Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs & Russ Writer: Russ
- Tell Me Who Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs & Russ Writer: Russ
- Worried Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Russ & Dycemadeit Writer: Russ
- Embrace Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs & Russ Writer: Russ
- Right Now Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs & Russ Writer: Russ
- Forever Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs & Russ Writer: Russ
- Cyclone Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Russ & Mihji Grey Writer: Russ
- West Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs & Russ Writers: Russ, Jake Jepson & Kiri Gerbs
- Lonely Road Producers: Jake Jepson, Kiri Gerbs, Mxnu & Russ Writer: Russ
Notes:
- The deluxe version integrates the original 19-track album with new material (at least three new songs).
- Pre-order vinyl editions are planned but shipping is deferred until the full deluxe version is complete.
2600:4040:5E9C:FE00:A1D4:D5EF:79D3:9ED1 (talk) 17:13, 23 October 2025 (UTC)
- Tracklists only go on separate album articles. The rest could be included but needs cutting down a bit, imv Atlantic306 (talk) 20:42, 24 October 2025 (UTC)
- There hasn't been a separate album article for it yet, and I'm new to formatting for Wiki, so I figured I'd put the info out there for someone who does it well ~2025-32643-41 (talk) 00:07, 11 November 2025 (UTC)