Kidd Russell Gear
Kip “Kidd” Russell used to freestyle on roof tops with professional wrestler Colt Cabana (WWE, ROH, AEW) while in high school. Colt encouraged Kidd to pursue his music career and even booked his first show at a wrestling/rap concert in Cleveland, Ohio. Kidd turned his college radio production class into music business 101. Instead of completing assignments he used his studio time to record songs that spread around his APU campus. After leaving college and returning to Chicago he built a reputation as one of the hardest working artists in the region.
Self releasing, promoting and managing his career Kidd has had his music videos played on MTV2, MTV Jams, placed over 50 songs on TV including the TV theme song to Ring of Honor Wrestling "Rush RockRemix." That same music video caught the attention of Sonja Norwood mother/manager of Brandy & Ray J. Her guidance led Kidd to working with Cisco Adler. Together with collaborator Ross Golan they crafted several epic singles such as "Pulaski Day” that took over Chicago in 2012. Kidd followed Pulaski day with his catchy album “The Sweet Spot of Life” which featured singles like “Morning Coffee” that was featured on WGN Radio and music videos sponsored by Chicago staple brands Beaver Donuts and Lawrence Fish and Shrimp. Kidd often collaborates with Southside Jake and together they have crafted catchy singles “Slow Motion” and “Rolling Rock”.
After taking a hiatus from music to raise his daughter Riley, Kidd is back in 2022 focused on dropping new singles every month starting with “Fresh Air” that captures the singer's move to Tampa, Fl. Kidd’s new music captures his love for drinking beers on a beach and boat rides while sun sipping. Kidd’s music sounds like a mix of Tai Verdes, Jack Johnson, and Chance The Rapper. Kidd’s laid-back pop fuses elements of pop, reggae, and hip hop. Follow him on Spotify or Vevo for his upcoming monthly releases or on TikTok where he has amassed over 650,000 followers.
Kidd's songs have been seen on Oxygen's Bad Girls Club, Food Networks Anthony Bordains No Reservations, ESPN and many more. Kidd has shared the stage with some of today's biggest artists including Logic, Gnash, Mod Sun, Shwayze, Cisco Adler Mike Stud, Jake Miller, The Roots, Common, The Flobots, Nappy Roots, Chris Webby, G Love, and many more.
