Todd Russaw spent much of his music career behind the scenes. He worked in A&R, production, management, and artist development. His credits date back to the 1990s. He later became known to a wider public through Faith Evans.

Their relationship mixed family life with music. Russaw helped manage parts of Evans’ career. He also worked on several of her albums. His name appears in production and executive credits.

Yet his work was not limited to Evans. He also worked with the R&B group 702. His career included projects tied to Motown Records. In later years, he moved into business and advisory work.

Quick Bio

Early Music Work

Russaw built his career away from the stage. His early credits go back to the 1990s. He worked in several parts of the recording process.

One early credit came through MC Brains in 1992. He later received a writing credit connected with Subway in 1995. These jobs came before his larger executive work.

By the middle of the decade, his duties had grown. He moved into A&R and executive production. Those jobs gave him more control over music projects.

A&R workers help find songs and develop artists. Producers focus more on the sound of a record. Executive producers often guide the whole project.

What Did Todd Russaw Do at Motown?

Russaw worked in A&R at Motown Records during the 1990s. That role placed him close to new R&B talent. One important act was the group 702.

The group released No Doubt in 1996. Russaw served as an executive producer on the album. He also received a mixing credit.

No Doubt included the song “Steelo.” The album later earned Gold status in the United States. That success gave 702 a strong start.

Russaw stayed linked to the group for years. He also worked on their 2003 album Star. Once again, he received an executive producer credit.

Working With Faith Evans

Russaw became closely involved in Faith Evans’ music. His credits appear on several of her albums. His duties changed from one project to another.

On Keep the Faith from 1998, he served as an associate executive producer. The album came during an important stage in Evans’ career. She was building a new chapter after her first album.

His role grew on Faithfully in 2001. He worked as both a producer and executive producer. The album mixed R&B with hip hop and soul sounds.

He later worked on The First Lady in 2005. His credits included production, management, and executive production. He also helped produce the single “Mesmerized.”

His work continued on A Faithful Christmas. He also received credits on Something About Faith in 2010. Those projects show a long professional link with Evans.

How Did Todd Russaw Meet Faith Evans?

Missy Elliott introduced Russaw to Faith Evans in early 1997. Evans had separated from her first husband, The Notorious B.I.G. Their marriage had faced serious strain before that point.

The Notorious B.I.G., whose real name was Christopher Wallace, died in March 1997. His death came only weeks after Evans met Russaw. It was a painful period for her family.

Evans and Russaw continued seeing each other. Their relationship soon became serious. They later started a family together.

The couple married in 1998. Their first son, Joshua Russaw, was born that year. A second son later joined the family.

Marriage and Family Life

Russaw and Evans shared both home life and music work. Evans already had two children before their marriage. They were Chyna Tahjere Griffin and C.J. Wallace.

C.J. was the son of Evans and The Notorious B.I.G. Russaw helped raise him. Later public profiles described him as an important father figure.

The couple then had two sons together. Joshua arrived in 1998. Ryder Evan Russaw was born in March 2007.

Music remained a large part of the household. Evans continued making albums and touring. Russaw often worked with her on the business side.

Their son Joshua later showed an interest in music. He has worked as a DJ, singer, writer, and producer. That path reflects the music around him while growing up.

What Happened to Their Marriage?

The marriage lasted for about 13 years. During that time, the couple raised children and worked together. Their names appeared together on several music projects.

In May 2011, Evans filed for divorce. Court reports said she cited irreconcilable differences. She also asked for joint legal and physical custody.

Public reports covered the legal filing. They did not give a clear reason for the split. Claims about private arguments should therefore be treated with care.

The facts are simpler. The couple married in 1998. They raised a family together. Their marriage later ended through divorce proceedings.

Music Work Beyond Faith Evans

Russaw had a music career before his marriage. His work with 702 is one clear example. It also shows that he had his own industry record.

His credits cover several types of work. They include production, mixing, A&R, management, and writing. Some projects list him as an executive producer.

He also worked with well known music names. These included Chucky Thompson, Sean Combs, and other R&B producers. His jobs often kept him out of the spotlight.

That style suited his role. Artists usually receive the public attention. Executives and managers often work in the background.

Russaw’s credits show years of steady industry work. They also explain why his name appears on many R&B records.

Work With Pedigree Multimedia

Russaw was also linked with Pedigree Multimedia. The company handled management and entertainment work. Evans was among the artists connected with the business.

This work gave Russaw another role outside production. Management deals with many parts of an artist’s career. It can include planning, deals, schedules, and creative choices.

His work with Evans often crossed these areas. On some albums, he received both management and production credits. That was common during their years together.

The mix of jobs made his role wider than one title. He could work on the business side. He could also take part in music decisions.

Todd Russaw and Think BIG

In later years, Todd Russaw became involved with Think BIG. The company lists him as a cofounder and strategic adviser. His role draws on his years in music and business.

Think BIG also has a link to C.J. Wallace. Wallace is the son of Faith Evans and The Notorious B.I.G. Russaw helped raise him from childhood.

That family link continued after Russaw’s marriage ended. It also connects his later work with people he knew for many years.

His work at Think BIG is more business focused. It fits his older career pattern. Most of his work has taken place behind the scenes.

Facts About Todd Russaw

• Music credits linked to Russaw date back to the early 1990s.
• Motown Records forms part of his A&R work.
• 702 worked with him on the album No Doubt.
• He served as an executive producer on No Doubt.
• The 2003 album Star also lists an executive producer credit.
• Keep the Faith includes an associate executive producer credit.
• Faithfully lists him as a producer and executive producer.
• The First Lady includes production and management work.
• “Mesmerized” is among the songs tied to his production work.
• Russaw and Faith Evans married in 1998.
• They share two sons, Joshua and Ryder.
• Evans filed for divorce in 2011.
• Think BIG lists him as a cofounder and strategic adviser.

His Place in R&B Music

Russaw rarely became the face of a music project. That does not mean his work was small. His name appears across several major album credits.

The 1990s were a busy time for modern R&B. Labels searched for new groups and singers. Producers also mixed R&B with hip hop sounds.

Russaw worked inside that system. His role with 702 placed him near a rising group. His later work with Evans kept him active into the 2000s.

His jobs also changed with time. Early credits included mixing and writing. Later credits focused more on management and executive work.

This pattern is common for experienced music workers. They may begin with direct studio duties. Later, they often guide larger parts of a project.

A Career Defined by Credits

Public interest often starts with Russaw’s marriage to Evans. Still, his album credits tell another part of the story. They show years of work in recorded music.

His work with 702 began before the marriage. He later worked on several Evans albums. Those credits continued for more than a decade.

The jobs also show range. He worked in A&R, production, management, and executive production. Each role required different skills.

Later business work added another part to his record. Think BIG brought together music, family links, and business ideas.

Russaw has never built his image around fame. His public record is mostly made of album credits and business roles. That is where his career is easiest to see.

FAQs

Who is Todd Russaw?

Todd Russaw is an American music executive, producer, manager, and A&R professional. He is also known as the former husband of Faith Evans.

Was Todd Russaw married to Faith Evans?

Yes. Russaw and Faith Evans married in 1998. Evans filed for divorce in 2011 after about 13 years of marriage.

How many children do Todd Russaw and Faith Evans have?

They share two sons. Joshua Russaw was born in 1998. Ryder Evan Russaw was born in 2007.

What music did Todd Russaw work on?

His credits include work with 702 and several Faith Evans albums. Those albums include Faithfully, The First Lady, and Something About Faith.

What does Todd Russaw do now?

His public profile at Think BIG lists him as a cofounder and strategic adviser. His work draws on his long background in music and business.