Paul Russell Stars on DSCENE Magazine’s August 2024 Cover

In DSCENE Magazine‘s August 2024 cover story, we highlight the dynamic career of Paul Russell, the Los Angeles-based musician who rose to fame with his viral 2023 hit “Lil Boo Thang,” which peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. Born in 1997 and raised in the suburbs of Atlanta before moving to Allen, Texas, Russell’s early musical influences ranged from jazz and R&B to alternative rock and Christian hip-hop. After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in industrial relations, he worked in corporate advertising before pursuing music full-time. His early tracks on SoundCloud caught the attention of Christian hip-hop artist Ruslan, leading to a deal with Kings Dream Entertainment and the release of his debut solo album, “Once in a Dry Season.”

EXCLUSIVE

Russell’s career took off in 2023 when “Lil Boo Thang” went viral on TikTok, earning him a record deal with Arista Records. This success led to performances at major events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Reflecting on his journey, Russell shares how diverse musical influences shaped his path and how unexpected success led him to pursue music full-time. His latest single “Say Cheese” and a collaboration with Meghan Trainor titled “Slippin’” showcase his continued growth. This summer, he joins Trainor on The Timeless Tour, further cementing his influence in the music industry.

DSCENE Magazine’s Editor Pavle Banovic sits down with Paul to talk about inspirations, the impact of “Lil Boo Thang,” and his upcoming tour with Meghan Trainor. The feature is captured through the lens of photographer Philip Blythman, with styling by Rachel Davis and set design by Madeleine Hunter. Beauty is work of hair stylist Sharon Robinson, with grooming by Claudine Blythman.

When did you get interested in music? – Growing up, my dad was a huge jazz music fan and my sister listened to a lot of R&B so music was a big part of my life from a very young age. I remember the first album I ever bought was Lasers by Lupe Fiasco, which got me interested in hip hop. After that I’d participate in little rap battled in the middle school hallways until eventually I got the garageband app on my phone and started recording actual songs. For years I would make music and even release it but I was totally prepared to have it just be a hobby for the rest of my life.

So it wasn’t until then, about a year ago, that I started to really consider trying to be a musician full time. It was a huge blessing when a couple of my songs started to really take off and I got the opportunity to quit my job and try it out.

Did you always envision yourself as a musician? – Not at all, actually. When I graduated high school and started college I wanted to be a lawyer. So I took a law class my freshman year and I hated it so I decided I wanted to be a writer. Then I started picking up little freelance writing jobs and writing for the school newspaper. I really thought that’s what I wanted to do but then as I looked for jobs and internships in the writing world I realized that before I could get paid to write about the things that I cared about I’d have to spend a while trying to make money writing about whatever I was assigned. I didn’t like that so I started working in business once I graduated college. I moved out to LA and worked in the startup world for a little bit. Eventually I got to the point where I knew I liked building things and trying new ideas but I missed the creativity of writing. So it wasn’t until then, about a year ago, that I started to really consider trying to be a musician full time. It was a huge blessing when a couple of my songs started to really take off and I got the opportunity to quit my job and try it out.

You gained massive success with last year’s single “Lil Boo Thang.” How do you feel about it now? What do you see as the most important thing it brought you? – I love the song, I mean it gave me a career and it’s been so amazing to see how it’s come to take on its own meaning for so many different people. It’s a song that’s been in weddings and tv shows and big celebrations. I love that I’ve been able to create the soundtrack to the best moments of some people’s lives.

Tell us more about your single titled “Eat, Pray, Love.” and the inspiration behind it? – I wanted to write something lighthearted about spending money, and that’s really where the song came from. One of my favorite aspects of it is that the song takes a lot of inspiration from disco music, which is a genre that’s had a huge impact on me and on the history of music. Disco music was known for blending styles, blending communities, and creating so many cultural movements. But it was also a genre that was made to be lighthearted and fun, and the songs typically talked about simple, relatable topics like love. There’s something so fascinating to me about music that can change the world not because of what it says but because of the sorts of people it brings together.

How would you define the style of music that you make? – I’d say I make pop music that’s heavily inspired by funk, soul, and hip hop.

On stage, your job is to connect with people, not impress them.

What are some of the different influences and references that you recognize within it? – I love OutKast and the way they make music that tells a story and feels like it was fun to make. And I’m a huge fan of artists like James Brown who make music you can’t help but move to. I hope I can accomplish some of that in my music.

You are opening for Meghan Trainor on her tour this Fall. Are you excited about it? – I’m pumped! Meghan is an incredible artist and a great friend and I’m super grateful I get to share the stage with her this year. And I love her family! It’s gonna be a great tour.

What is the best advice you have been given so far as a performer? – On stage, your job is to connect with people, not impress them.

How would you describe your personal style? – I guess from a style perspective I like alot of colored and I like things that feel like they’re a riff on old classics. I guess my music feels like that sometimes too.

What is something that keeps inspiring you over the years? – Sitcoms inspire me a lot. When I sit down to make music sometimes I think about how I can create something that makes people people feel at home, like the TV shows I grew up on, like Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Everybody Hates Chris.

What’s next for you? – I just released a song called Slippin which features Meghan Trainor and I’m really excited about it. It’ll be one of the songs on my upcoming EP, which will be coming out this August!

Photographer – Philip Blythman
Stylist – Rachel Davis
Hair – Sharon Robinson using Curlsmith
Grooming – Claudine Blythman using Skin Rocks
Set Design – Madeleine Hunter
Location – @e5locationhouse
Retouching – Stefanie Schneeberger