Rittz

Jonathan Matthew McCollum, known professionally as Rittz, is a rapper from Gwinnett County, Georgia, recognized for his rapid lyrical delivery and personal storytelling within the hip-hop industry. Rittz is noted for his double-time flows, multisyllabic rhymes, and Southern drawl, blending intricate wordplay and internal rhyme schemes that emphasize rhythm. Influenced by Southern rap pioneers such as OutKast and Goodie Mob, he developed a style that explores lyricism and regional identity.

After early challenges in his music career, including setbacks despite winning Battlegrounds on Hot 107.9, Rittz gained wider attention through his appearance on Yelawolf's track "Box Chevy" and subsequent participation in the Slumerican Tour. He is known for the mixtape "White Jesus" and its re-release, "White Jesus: Revival." The success of these projects contributed to his signing with Strange Music, where he collaborated with Tech N9ne on the remix of "Bloody Murdah."

Rittz's debut album, "The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant," reached number 8 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. His following albums, "Next to Nothing" and "Top of the Line," peaked at number 3 on the same chart, while "Last Call" reached number 43 on the Billboard 200. After completing his contract with Strange Music, Rittz established CNT Entertainment and released "Put a Crown on It," which addresses his experiences with addiction and reached number 6 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart.

His discography includes 10 studio albums, two mixtapes, several EPs and singles, and numerous collaborations. Rittz has appeared as a featured artist on more than 19 tracks by other performers, frequently working with artists associated with Strange Music, such as Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko, as well as Southern hip-hop acts like Yelawolf.

Rittz has spoken publicly about his journey in hip-hop and his struggles with alcoholism and substance abuse. He has disclosed his experiences with serious health conditions, including cirrhosis, acute kidney failure, and anemia, which were related to excessive alcohol consumption. Rittz's openness about his personal challenges has contributed to his reputation as an authentic and resilient voice in independent hip-hop.