Russ Nobles on Rap, Owning Your Voice, and the Sherman Prize
In Episode 26 of The Late Start Show, Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson sit down with David “Russ” Nobles, University School rapper, track athlete, and winner of the Sherman Prize Speaking Contest, for a funny, honest, and surprisingly deep conversation about identity, confidence, and chasing what you actually love. Starting with Russ shadowing Charlie back in 5th grade (and famously being most impressed by the buffet lunch), the episode traces how Russ found community at US, started rapping young, and learned to trust his voice, especially once classmates supported his first songs and beats instead of boxing him into stereotypes. Russ also breaks down what he wishes people understood about rap: that it’s not just “loud” or “vulgar,” but an art form tied to storytelling, social justice, and real change, shaped by artists he respects like J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Tupac, and more.
The conversation then dives into the Sherman Prize journey: what the contest is, how he chose a message “only he could tell,” why he had to rap on that stage, and the behind-the-scenes grind of making every line land out loud. Russ relives the nerves right before he went on (“don’t mess it up”), the surreal moment his name got called as the winner, and the bigger takeaway he hopes people remember, your dream isn’t “less important” just because it doesn’t fit the typical path. Along the way, he shouts out the teachers who’ve had his back (especially Dr. Matthew Foulds), shares what track taught him about resilience and “quick memory,” and looks ahead to what’s next musically, songs in the vault, visuals, and a dream of rapping on a Tyler, the Creator beat. The episode closes with Russ’s “why”: showing up for the kids who feel like outcasts, and proving that being unapologetically yourself is more than a vibe, it’s the whole point.
Credits to Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.
David Russ Nobles is a junior at University School, known as a rapper, track athlete, and the winner of the Sherman Prize Speaking Contest. He won the 122nd Annual Sherman Prize in 2026 for his rap, "Afraid to Follow Dreams," which explored overcoming his fear of pursuing his dream of becoming a rapper. Nobles has been connected to University School since shadowing in the fourth grade and is a member of the Class of 2027. He advocates for rap as an art form for storytelling and social justice, aiming to inspire other students to embrace their authentic selves.