The DMV has always been a hub for originality, but right now two names are carrying that torch with serious intent: Rasta Tahj and JustRuss. Both rooted in the East Coast grind, both pushing their crafts beyond easy labels, they’re proving that hip-hop, soul, and production artistry are alive, evolving, and built for the long haul.
Rasta Tahj: More Than an Artist
When you listen to Rasta Tahj, you’re not just hearing an artist—you’re stepping into a carefully engineered world. His music isn’t accidental; it’s precise, layered, and meant to hit you in the chest and the head at the same time. That’s because Tahj wears multiple hats: rapper, songwriter, producer, and master-level audio engineer. Every verse and every mix is touched by his own hand.
His latest project, Roster for Life, Volume Two, is the clearest picture yet of who he is and where he’s headed. Inspired by a year of growth—including a stint writing alongside Kanye West—Tahj went into overdrive. From May to now, he cut more than 60 songs, narrowing them down to 11 essentials that carry weight and intention.
“This album is an update for my fans,” he said. “Working with Kanye, making my family proud—especially my grandfather—it all motivated me to speak on that. I wanted to inspire people with my story, to give them something to wake up to that gets them moving.”
The record features contributions from DMV producers like JustRuss and Forrest Gibbons, plus appearances from Kanye’s childhood friend Really Doe and lyricist Dave Thoughts. For Tahj, it’s not just about stacking songs; it’s about building a body of work that will last.
JustRuss: The Detail King
If Tahj is the architect, JustRuss (AyoRuss) is the engineer fine-tuning every bolt. With more than a decade in the game, he’s a producer who thrives on making beats that blend trap’s grit, R&B’s heart, pop’s bounce, and hip-hop’s storytelling. The Virginia native’s roots run deep in both church music and the wave-soaked Virginia Beach scene, and you can hear that spiritual undertone across his catalog.
Ask him about his favorite part of the creative process and his answer isn’t what you might expect—it’s not just about making the beat knock, but how the whole project breathes.
“I love adding little nuances—intros, outros, interludes,” Russ explained. “I’m big on how one song flows into the next. When an artist brings me a sample or vibe they’re searching for, and I can turn it into something real that we both feel, that’s the best part. That’s when it clicks.”
Russ’s production shows up across Roster for Life, Volume Two, giving the project a glue that holds the vision together. His sound moves easily between late-night mood music and high-energy anthems, always built with care and detail.
Why They Matter
Together, Rasta Tahj and JustRuss are proving that artistry still matters in 2025. They’re not in a rush to fit into playlists or chase trends. Instead, they’re focused on the harder path: creating work that reflects their stories, their roots, and their standards.
Tahj is carving out his name as one of the most disciplined sound engineers and songwriters in his lane. Russ is doubling down on the craft of production, sweating over transitions, arrangements, and details that most overlook.
The result? Music that doesn’t just sound good in the moment—it sticks. It feels like legacy.
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