This summer, Russ tried to make himself the poster boy for the increasing anti-drug movement in Hip Hop when he wore a shirt that said only losers abuse Xanax and take lean.
Since then, his message has been bolstered by the death of Lil Peep and by the hospitalization of Fredo Santana -- who had initially criticized Russ's anti-drug stance.
Russ took to Twitter this weekend to make more remarks on drugs and the industry.
Abusing xanax and other pills drugs etc in private cuz your depressed/other mental issues is one thing(still not good)..constantly recording yourself doing drugs and putting up pics and videos of doing it is when you start CHOOSING to publicly glorify it and make it an image.
— Russ (@russdiemon) November 18, 2017
When you say you’re depressed and not tryna glorify drug use or pander to the public by making it an “image” that’s one thing. The second you start posting videos and pictures of you doing it is when your actions contradict your words. Period.
— Russ (@russdiemon) November 18, 2017
I’m not saying depression/anxiety/addiction aren’t real things. They are..just like posting videos and pictures of you doing drugs because a PART of you knows it works as an image is a real thing too. You can be both lol depressed AND posting drug abuse constantly as an image.
— Russ (@russdiemon) November 18, 2017
It would be naive to think that me wearing uptempos in every picture isn’t glorifying them or promoting them. Same goes with anything, drugs included. Be responsible with your platform. “Did he just compare shoes to drugs” - relax and use beneath the surface level thinking. ❤️
— Russ (@russdiemon) November 18, 2017
And I’m not saying that when they post drug abuse publicly that’s it’s not a cry for help. What I’m saying is that it’s not ALWAYS a cry for help. Some times posting drug use publicly IS for an image. This is the ENTERTAINMENT industry. Y’all needa wake up and question more shit.
— Russ (@russdiemon) November 18, 2017
Smokepurpp replied to Russ's remarks in a very direct manner.
Do you agree with Purpp or Russ? (Or both?)