Exclusive: Can Paul Russell reconcile the rift between Britain’s Princes ?
By Sarah Tetteh
TikTok Sensation Paul Russell knows a thing or two about bringing people together through the power of music –- and that’s exactly what he plans to do for London lads Prince William and Prince Harry.
In an exclusive chat with the US megastar, who has been in the capital to promote his fab new music, Paul, who has taken the world by storm with his viral hit Lil Boo Thang, opened up about how music could heal the rift between the two brothers.
He told South London Press: “I hope it brings them together.”
Paul, 26, said: “Shout out to the people of London. Lil Boo Thang is a cook-out song that reunites people. Could it reunite Prince William and Harry and get them back on that dance floor?
“Wow. Yeah! It will bring together people that need to, who you would assume or not would need to come together. We’ll see! Hope they’ve heard it. I hope it brings them together.”
Hit-maker Paul couldn’t believe the ripple effect of his music on fans too.
On his track going viral, he said: “I had no idea. When I first put a snippet of it online I didn’t have any feedback.
“I thought it would be a fun piece of content to put out.
“But by the time I actually released it, it was a really popular trending sound on reels and on TikTok. Then at that point I thought okay, people really like this song.
Still, I couldn’t have ever have imagined it being as big as it is now. I hear it everywhere.”
Paul has already fallen in love with South London – and for good reason.
He’s all about the restaurant scene. Picking out his favourites, he said: “Sweet1, I have been recommended – African fusion. Wow. Also Auntie Annie’s Caribbean food, rice and peas and jerk chicken, I’m all in on that.”
Like many big US stars including Drake and Beyonce, Paul was straight off the plane and off to his nearest Nando’s.
He smiled: “Of course I know Nando’s. I actually went to Nando’s yesterday – that was my dinner.
I had half chicken with medium peri-peri sauce, I had Mac n Cheese, and that long stem broccoli. Amazing. I hope I can run into Drake there next time.”
During his visit, Paul’s hit track was played during the Snog, Marry and Pie Game on Love Island.
He said: “I love Love Island. During Covid there was a time when I was doing nothing. So I watched three or four seasons. Like 50 episodes, all back to back. I would be seeing Love Island people more than I would be seeing my family. That’s all I had contact with so i absolutely love Love Island.
Should they do a celebrity version?
“If there’s a celebrity version, I’ll go on. I’d love to.”
So, what’s next for Paul? “I’m doing a bunch of US festivals this summer, but I’d love to do some London ones like Wireless. It would be amazing to reach out and do some London shows.”
Watch this space…
Pictured top: Paul Russell (Picture: Precious Awobokun)
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