Russ becomes latest US rapper to launch his own cannabis line

Sign up to Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy New Jersey-based rapper Russell James Vitale, who performs under the name Russ, has joined the flourishing cannabis industry in a collaboration with the leading West Coast brand Wonderbrett. I’m not a heavy smoker who’s just gonna sit around and smoke all day but often times in the studio I enjoy experiencing an alternative yet still tuned in perspective, so keeping a joint of something productive nearby comes in handy…I might as well control what’s in the joint so that’s what I’ve done here with Wonderbrett.” Russ joins a rich heritage of associations between the music industry and the business of making and selling weed. Three years after him, American rapper and basketball player 2 Chainz brought out a line of pre-rolls and flower eighths called Gas Cannabis Co. Jay-Z, Beyonce’s beau and one of the most influential hip-hop artists in history, was welcomed on board as chief strategist of the cannabis brand Caliva in 2019. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial Sign up Canadian rapper Drake also partnered with Canadian cannabis goliath Canopy Growth to launch the More Life Growth Company in his hometown of Toronto in 2019.