BIG VENTI and LaRussell’s Wake Em Up Debuts at No. 6 on iTunes Rap Chart

BIG VENTI and LaRussell’s single “Wake Em Up” debuted at No. 6 on the iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap chart after its August 26, 2026 release through Party Hills Music. The collaboration spotlights two independent West Coast artist networks and is being submitted for Grammy consideration.

Why it matters: - “Wake Em Up” gives BIG VENTI and LaRussell a Top 10 iTunes Rap debut, putting an independent West Coast release alongside major-label names. - The track reinforces both artists’ rise through artist-built platforms rather than traditional industry channels. - The single is being submitted for Grammy consideration in Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance.

What happened: - BIG VENTI and LaRussell released “Wake Em Up” on August 26, 2026, through Party Hills Music. - The song debuted at No. 6 on the iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap chart. - The placement landed the song in Top 10 company with Drake’s “Janice STFU,” T.I.’s “LET ’EM KNOW,” Cardi B’s “AH HA,” and other major releases. - The release includes streaming access at Stream “Wake Em Up”.

The details: - LaRussell opens the song with an energized hook and a verse built around humor, flexes, and daily hustle. - One lyric, “It hurt every time I washed my hands, I got paper cuts,” captures the song’s mix of work ethic and success. - BIG VENTI follows with a double-time verse that centers on a traumatic car accident and recovery. - BIG VENTI says waking up in a hospital bed became the emotional engine of the track. - BIG VENTI raps, “They countin’ some sheep, I’m countin’ my blessings / I’m countin’ on me, so I’m not even stressin’,” framing the song around gratitude and self-reliance. - LaRussell’s contribution leans into refusing complacency, while BIG VENTI’s verse emphasizes responsibility and survival. - The track was created with Party Hills Music, the Hollywood home base for music, media, live events, and emerging artists. - LaRussell has built Good Compenny into an independent talent platform in Vallejo. - BIG VENTI has built Party Hills in Hollywood around a similar artist-led model. - The release follows LaRussell’s national television performances on America’s Got Talent. - The release also follows BIG VENTI’s appearance on a Sunset Boulevard billboard. - “Wake Em Up” is BIG VENTI’s latest major rap collaboration after “FAMOUS NEIGHBOR” with The Game. - BIG VENTI is currently recording PARTY HILLS 2, expected in early 2027. - BIG VENTI called the LaRussell verse his favorite LaRussell verse and one of his favorite rap verses of 2026.

Between the lines: - The collaboration shows how independent rap acts are using chart placements, media visibility and self-built ecosystems to compete with mainstream releases. - The song’s emphasis on gratitude and survival gives the project a personal angle that matches both artists’ public narratives. - The partnership also looks strategic: Bay Area momentum meets Los Angeles infrastructure, widening reach for both camps.

What's next: - BIG VENTI and LaRussell will continue pushing “Wake Em Up” as Grammy consideration moves forward. - BIG VENTI’s next project, PARTY HILLS 2, is expected in early 2027. - Both artists appear positioned to extend their independent platforms with more releases, performances and crossover visibility.

The bottom line: - “Wake Em Up” is a charting statement record for two West Coast independents who are turning momentum into proof of concept.