Todd Russaw has spent much of his career working behind the scenes in the music industry. As a music executive, manager and producer, he has contributed to projects involving Faith Evans and the R&B group 702. His public profile also grew through his marriage to Evans, bringing attention to a life that combined music, business and family.
Over the years, his professional interests expanded into brand development through Think BIG, a company he co-founded with C.J. Wallace and Willie Mack. Looking at these different chapters helps explain his place in the entertainment world and the relationships that shaped his career.
Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Todd Russaw |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Music executive, talent manager and producer |
| Music Background | R&B and hip-hop |
| Former Label Position | A&R Director at Motown Records |
| Associated Artists | Faith Evans and 702 |
| Selected Early Project | No Doubt by 702 |
| Notable Faith Evans Project | Faithfully |
| Former Wife | Faith Evans |
| Children With Faith Evans | Joshua Russaw and Ryder Russaw |
| Family Connection | Helped raise C.J. Wallace |
| Business Venture | Think BIG |
| Business Partners | C.J. Wallace and Willie Mack |
| Think BIG Position | Co-founder and strategic advisor |
Who Is Todd Russaw?
Todd Russaw is an American entertainment professional with experience in talent management, record production and artist development. His career includes work within a major record label, contributions to R&B albums and involvement in independent business ventures.
Much of his work falls into areas that listeners may not immediately notice. A finished album usually carries the name and face of its performer, but many people contribute to getting it made. Managers, producers and label executives help bring together the creative and business sides of that process.
Russaw’s credits place him among those professionals. His work has involved supporting artists and helping guide projects through different stages of their development.
Building a Career in the Music Industry
During the mid-1990s, Russaw worked as an A&R Director at Motown Records. A&R stands for artists and repertoire, a part of the music business concerned with talent, songs and the direction of recording projects.
The role requires an understanding of both music and people. An artist may have a strong voice or a clear idea, but a project also needs suitable collaborators and a workable plan. A&R professionals help make those connections while keeping the wider goals of the release in view.
This background provides useful context for Russaw’s later work. His career moved across several responsibilities, including executive production, management and creative contributions. Those roles overlap in some areas, but each carries its own purpose.
His Work With the R&B Group 702
One of Russaw’s early documented connections was with 702, the R&B group known for its vocal harmonies and place in the sound of the 1990s. He worked on the group’s debut album, No Doubt, which was released in 1996.
His credits on that project include executive production and mixing. His official professional biography also connects this period with work alongside Missy Elliott, whose contributions helped shape the group’s early recordings.
Russaw later received an executive producer credit on 702’s 2003 album, Star. These projects show that his involvement with the group extended across different releases and stages of its recording career.
Working Alongside Faith Evans
A major part of Todd Russaw’s professional story involves Faith Evans. Their working relationship included several albums, giving him a place in both the creative and business teams supporting her music.
On Faithfully, released in 2001, Russaw received producer and executive producer credits. He also contributed to The First Lady in 2005, with credits covering production, executive production, management and composition.
His name appears in connection with A Faithful Christmas and Something About Faith as well. The range of these projects reflects a working partnership that continued over several years.
These credits help explain the different ways someone can contribute to an artist’s career. Producing a recording may involve shaping its sound, while executive production can involve broader decisions about an album. Management brings another set of responsibilities, including coordinating the artist’s professional interests.
His Marriage to Faith Evans
Russaw became more familiar to the wider public through his marriage to Evans. The pair were introduced through Missy Elliott, connecting their personal story with the music world they both knew.
Their marriage brought family life and professional work into the same relationship. Evans continued recording and performing, while Russaw remained involved in her career through management and album projects.
In 2011, Evans filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Reports at the time stated that they had separated several years earlier. Evans also said during that period that Russaw would continue as her manager.
That detail offers a glimpse into how closely their personal and professional lives had been connected. Their marriage ended, while their shared responsibilities as parents remained part of their family story.
Todd Russaw’s Children and Family Connections
Russaw and Evans have two sons together, Joshua Russaw and Ryder Russaw. Joshua was born in 1998, followed by Ryder in 2007.
Joshua developed his own interest in entertainment and works professionally under the name Jahad. His activities include DJing, songwriting, singing and production. His career adds another musical connection to a family already closely linked with recording and performance.
Russaw also helped raise C.J. Wallace, Evans’ son with The Notorious B.I.G. That relationship became an important part of his life and later developed into a business partnership.
Their shared work is especially interesting because the family connection came first. Before they became co-founders of a company, Russaw had already played a role in C.J.’s upbringing.
Starting a New Chapter With Think BIG
In 2019, Russaw joined C.J. Wallace and Willie Mack in launching Think BIG. The venture brought together interests in cannabis, creativity, culture and business.
C.J. has described conversations with Russaw about his future, including whether he wanted to continue acting or explore another direction. Those discussions helped open the door to a business idea that developed into a shared venture.
Think BIG lists Russaw as a co-founder and strategic advisor. His responsibilities include supporting partnerships and business development, areas that connect naturally with his experience working with artists and entertainment projects.
The move expanded the range of his public work. Skills built around music projects—such as developing relationships, understanding an audience and coordinating collaborators—also have a place in building a brand.
The Connection With Frank White
The founding team behind Think BIG has also been associated with Frank White, a lifestyle brand whose name comes from one of The Notorious B.I.G.’s aliases.
The brand connects business with the late rapper’s cultural legacy. Through C.J.’s involvement, it also carries a family perspective on the person behind the famous music.
Willie Mack has discussed goals involving creative expression, community interests and greater opportunity within the cannabis industry. These ideas form part of the team’s stated direction.
For Russaw, this chapter links his background in entertainment with a business built around culture, identity and partnerships.
Conclusion
Todd Russaw’s career covers several connected areas: music management, record production, artist development and business. His work with 702 and Faith Evans provides a clear record of his involvement in R&B, while Think BIG adds a later chapter alongside C.J. Wallace and Willie Mack.
His family relationships are also central to understanding his story. From raising children with Evans to building a company with C.J., his personal and professional paths have often crossed. Together, these experiences explain the different roles he has held beyond the public attention surrounding his former marriage.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Todd Russaw known for?
Todd Russaw is known for his work as a music executive, manager and producer, his former marriage to Faith Evans, and his involvement in Think BIG.
2. Did Todd Russaw work at Motown Records?
Yes. He served as an A&R Director at Motown during the mid-1990s and worked on projects connected with the R&B group 702.
3. How many children does he share with Faith Evans?
Russaw and Evans have two sons together, Joshua and Ryder. He also helped raise her son C.J. Wallace.
4. Which Faith Evans albums include his credits?
His credits include Faithfully, The First Lady, A Faithful Christmas and Something About Faith. His responsibilities varied across the releases.
5. Who founded Think BIG with Todd Russaw?
Russaw co-founded Think BIG with C.J. Wallace and entrepreneur Willie Mack. The company identifies him as a strategic advisor as well as a co-founder.
