Rvssian

Not to be confused with Russia or Russian people.

Rvssian
Background information
Birth nameTarik Johnston
Born (1988-04-12) 12 April 1988 (age 36)
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • entrepreneur
Instruments
  • Piano
  • drums
  • guitar
  • vocals
Years active2007–present
LabelsHead Concussion Records

Tarik Luke Johnston (born 12 April 1988), commonly known as Rvssian, is a white Jamaican record producer, singer, songwriter and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Head Concussion, a music production company situated in Kingston, Jamaica.

He rose to popularity[2] shortly after producing Vybz Kartel's "Life Sweet" in 2010. He produced for other artists including Konshens and J Capri, Sean Paul and Farruko. The Sean Paul and Farruko single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on October 3, 2014.[3]

Early life and education

[edit]

Tarik 'Rvssian' Johnston, is from the wealthy upper class Johnston Family which has stake in Jamaica Producers Group Limited (known for its St. Mary's Banana Chips), Seaboard Freight & Shipping Co. Limited and T.S. Crane Services.[4]

Rvssian learned to play the piano and drums from his father Michael 'Micron' Johnston, the founder of Micron Music Limited.[5] In December 2007, Rvssian founded Head Concussion Records, a music production studio located in Kingston, Jamaica.

After graduating from Ardenne High School, Rvssian enrolled in the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. It was during this period that he met Vybz Kartel through fellow producers Jordan McClure (Chimney Records) and Stephen 'Di Genius' McGregor. In 2008, Rvssian created his first rhythm "Liberty Riddim", which featured Konshens' "Ago Kill Me" and Vybz Kartel's "Nah Hold We Down".

Two years later, Rvssian produced "Life Sweet" for Vybz Kartel. To develop his music career further, Rvssian decided to leave the Edna Manley College for Visual and Performing Arts.[2]

Career

[edit]

In 2010, Rvssian and Vybz Kartel teamed up on the single "Straight Jeans and Fitted." The song received over 25 million views on YouTube and went on to win "Favorite Music Collaboration" in the February 2011 Youth View Awards.[6] In 2010, rumors of a dispute between Rvssian and Vybz Kartel surfaced but the two artists were quick to dispel the reports.[7]

The duo also worked together on "Get Gyal Anywhere", "Cure Fi Badmind", "Look Pon We" and "New Jordans" (feat. Rvssian). The latter was released in 2014 and was recorded before Vybz Kartel went to prison for a murder conviction.[8][9]

The two have since continued to work together and Rvssian has released a series of singles by Vybz Kartel including "Ever Blessed", "Kremlin", "Hi" and "Mamacita" (featuring J Capri), all released after Kartel's incarceration.[10]

Shortly after forming Head Concussion Records in December 2007, Rvssian released a number of songs, working with dancehall acts like Demarco, Tarrus Riley and Blak Ryno. He released Kartel's hit single "Life Sweet", which was followed by dancehall rhythms such as "Go Go Club", "Remedy" and "Nuh Fear".[11] These rhythms became hits, with the "Go Go Club" rhythm introducing new artistes like Merital Family to the musical scene.

Under his label Head Concussion Records, Rvssian went on to release Tarrus Riley's hit single "Good Girl, Gone Bad" which featured Konshens, Vybz Kartel's "Lyricist" and Chan Dizzy's "Nuh Strange Face."

After the arrest and conviction of Vybz Kartel, Rvssian, whose career growth had been attributed to working with the "Dancehall Hero", kept Head Concussion Records on the global map, launching J Capri, a new female dancehall artiste. The platinum-selling producer released "Pull Up To Mi Bumper" (featuring Konshens and J Capri), "Whine 'n' Kotch" (featuring J Capri and Charly Black), "Reverse It" and "Boom 'n" Bend Over" by J Capri. J Capri's "Pull Up To Mi Bumper" and "Whine 'n' Kotch" received over 25 and 50 million YouTube views, respectively.[12]

Awards and recognition

[edit]

At the Youth View Awards in February 2011, Rvssian won the award for Favorite Local Music Video for the Year alongside Vybz Kartel for their hit single "Straight Jeans and Fitted". Rvssian also won Favorite Producer at the 2015 YVA Awards.[13]

In 2014, Rvssian won a platinum plaque for his reggaeton single "Passion Whine".[14] He was also recognized at the 21st Digital Awards for his musical contributions.

In 2022, Rvssian was nominated for crossover artist of the year at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards.[15]

Discography

[edit]

Extended plays

[edit]
List of extended plays
Title EP details
Italiano
(with Sfera Ebbasta)

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[17] 		US
Latin
[18] 		ARG
[19] 		ITA
[20] 		SPA
[21]
"Privado"
(featuring Nicky Jam, Farruko, Arcángel and Konshens) 		2016 — — — — — Non-album singles
"Si Tu Lo Dejas"
(featuring Bad Bunny, Farruko, Nicky Jam and Kosa) 		2017 — — — — —
  • RIAA: 6× Platinum (Latin)[22]
  • PROMUSICAE: Gold[23]
"Pablo"
(with Sfera Ebbasta) 		2018 — — — 1 —
  • FIMI: 3× Platinum+Gold[24]
"Ponle"
(with Farruko and J Balvin) 		— 23 — — 74
"B11"
(with Darell and Zion & Lennox featuring Myke Towers) 		— 40 — — 29
  • PROMUSICAE: 2× Platinum[27]
"No Me Ame"
(with Anuel AA and Juice Wrld) 		2020 — 15 — — 25
"Nostálgico"
(with Rauw Alejandro and Chris Brown) 		2021 — 8 48 — 3
  • AMPROFON: 2× Platinum[25]
  • RIAA: 5× Platinum (Latin)[22]
  • PROMUSICAE: 4× Platinum[28]
"Italiano Anthem"
(with Sfera Ebbasta) 		2022 — — — 2 — Italiano
"Mamma Mia"
(with Sfera Ebbasta) 		— — — 2 —
  • FIMI: 3× Platinum[24]
"Santa"
(with with Rauw Alejandro and Ayra Starr) 		2024 —[A] 8 15 46 1
  • AMPROFON: Platinum+Gold[25]
  • FIMI: Gold[24]
  • PROMUSICAE: 3× Platinum[30]
 The Year I Turned 21
[edit]
List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[17] 		US
Latin
[18] 		SPA[21]
"Krippy Kush"
(Farruko and Bad Bunny featuring Rvssian or remix with Nicki Minaj featuring 21 Savage or Travis Scott) 		2017 75 5 20
  • AMPROFON: 4× Platinum[25]
  • RIAA: 16× Platinum (Latin)[22]
  • PROMUSICAE: Platinum[31]
 TrapXFicante
"Writing on the Wall"
(French Montana featuring Post Malone, Cardi B and Rvssian) 		2019 56 — —
  • RIAA: Gold (Latin)[22]
 Montana

Other songs

[edit]
List of other songs, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ARG
[19] 		ITA
[20]
"X6"
(with Sferra Ebbasta featuring Bia) 		2022 — 17 Italiano
"Easy"
(with Sferra Ebbasta featuring Fivio Foreign) 		— 5
"Sola"
(with Sferra Ebbasta featuring Myke Towers) 		— 20
"Sex & Love"
(with Tiago PZK) 		44 — Portales
"Soli"
(Shiva featuring Tiago PZK and Rvssian 		2023 — 80 Santana Season

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Santa" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 5 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[29]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Rvssian Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic.
  2. ^ a b RUSSIAN'S MUSICAL REVOLUTION – Entertainment. JamaicaObserver.com (21 February 2014). Retrieved on 9 December 2015.
  3. ^ RVSSIAN GOES PLATINUM – Entertainment. JamaicaObserver.com (30 October 2014). Retrieved on 9 December 2015.
  4. ^ "CHARLES Johnston C.D."
  5. ^ Jamming with Michael Johnston | Lifestyle. Jamaica Gleaner (7 June 2011). Retrieved on 9 December 2015.
  6. ^ Vybz Kartel & Russian – Youth View Awards Archived 5 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Davibejamaica.com. Retrieved on 9 December 2015.
  7. ^ Vybz Kartel Breaks Silence On Russian Rift, “Russian A Mi Pickney” – Urban Islandz. Urbanislandz.com (12 October 2010). Retrieved on 9 December 2015.
  8. ^ VIDEO: Vybz Kartel & Rvssian – New Jordans – Urban Islandz. Urbanislandz.com (18 December 2014). Retrieved on 9 December 2015.
  9. ^ "Not over for Vybz Kartel after Privy Council denial | Loop Caribbean News". Loop News. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  10. ^ Yo, Rvssian! An Interview with Vybz Kartel's Favorite Producer. LargeUp (14 March 2014). Retrieved on 9 December 2015.
  11. ^ Producer Russian of Head Concussion Records. Dancehallreggaeworld.com. Retrieved on 9 December 2015.
  12. ^ J Capri – Teenage – Jamaica Observer Mobile. M.jamaicaobserver.com (20 January 2015). Retrieved on 9 December 2015.
  13. ^ YOUTH VIEW AWARDS 2015 – Spice, Vybz Kartel take favourite local artiste awards – Latest News. JamaicaObserver.com (21 February 2015). Retrieved on 9 December 2015.
  14. ^ Jamaican producer, Tarik 'Rvssian' Johnston goes platinum for single featuring Sean Paul Archived 29 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine. 876411.com. 31 October 2014
  15. ^ Flores, Griselda (18 August 2022). "Bad Bunny Tops 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists: Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  16. ^ "Italiano by Sfera Ebbasta & Rvssian on Apple Music". Apple Music. Apple Inc.
  17. ^ a b "Rvssian Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  18. ^ a b "Rvssian Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)". Billboard.
  19. ^ a b "Rvssian Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)". Billboard.
  20. ^ a b "Rvssian Chart History (FIMI)". italiancharts.com. Hung Medien.
  21. ^ a b "Spanish charts portal – Rvssian singles". spanishcharts.com. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  22. ^ a b c d e "American certifications – Rvssian". Recording Industry Association of America.
  23. ^ "Spanish certifications – Rvssian / Bad Bunny / Farruko / Nicky Jam & King Kosa". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  24. ^ a b c d e "FIMI: Certificazioni". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2024. Note: To retrieve the certifications, 1) type in "Rvssian" in the box of "Filtra", 2) select years in the box of "Anno", 3) select "Singoli online" in the box of "Sezione", 4) click Enter
  25. ^ a b c d "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 6 July 2020.Type "Rvssian" in the box under the "ARTISTA" column heading.
  26. ^ "Rvssian / Farruko / J Balvin – Ponle". el portal de musica. Productores de Música de España.
  27. ^ "Spanish single certifications – B11". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  28. ^ "Rvssian / Rauw Alejandro / Chris Brown – Nostalgico". el portal de musica. Productores de Música de España.
  29. ^ "Rvssian Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Rvssian / Rauw Alejandro / Ayra Starr – Santa". el portal de musica. Productores de Música de España.
  31. ^ "Farruko / Bad Bunny / Rvssian – Krippy Kush". el portal de musica. Productores de Música de España.
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