Paul Russell: 5 Things to Know About the Viral TikTok Star
The ‘aspiring two-hit wonder’ is set to perform at iHeartRadio’s 2023 ‘Jingle Ball’ holiday special spectacular. Get to know the rapper and social media personality here!
Paul Russell is going to make his “Jingle Ball” debut when he performs at the 2023 iHeartRadio holiday special on Thursday, December 21, 2023. The singer and rapper has really gotten huge this year, especially with his hit single “Lil Boo Thang.” Paul is sure to entertain with his set at the annual holiday concert, and he’s already performed at a few of the “Jingle Ball” concerts held all over the country. Before he takes the stage for the holiday special, get to know more about the rapper!
Paul’s Music Career Blew Up on TikTok
Paul has been making music for several years now, but his career really skyrocketed during the summer of 2023, when he released his latest single “Lil Boo Thang,” which samples “The Best of My Love” by The Emotions. He dropped the song in August 2023, and it became an instant hit with audiences on TikTok. He currently has over 400,000 followers on the social media platform, and he has garnered 8.5 million likes. He’s had a few videos go viral, hitting at least a million views on a few occasions.
He Released Two Albums on a Christian Label
While Paul is currently signed to Arista Records, which is owned by Sony. His first two releases were put out on Kings Dream Entertainment, which is owned by Christian rapper Ruslan KD. Paul put out the records Via Text in 2018 and Once in a Dry Season in 2019, on the label.
He Worked With the Partnership for Public Good
Outside of music, Paul worked with the Partnership for Public Good while he was a college student. He contributed to a project for ” community-oriented policing locally with the Buffalo Police Department” with the organization, according to a school announcement.
He Studied at Cornell University
Prior to his music career taking off, Paul was a student at the Ivy League school Cornell University in its School of Industrial and Labor Relations. He graduated in 2019 with a degree in labor relations.
He Grew Up in Georgia and Texas
Before going to school at Cornell, Paul grew up in the south. He spent his early years in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, and his family eventually moved to Allen, Texas, when he went to high school, according to an interview with the Cornell Claritas.