Russ lets his emotions run wild in “ZOO.”

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TOP 5

5. Last Forever (Ft. Rick Ross & Snoop Dogg)

Well, would you look at that—Russ actually has friends! Who would’ve thought?

“Last Forever” brings together Russ, Snoop Dogg, and Rick Ross, resulting in a track smoother than Louis Gossett Jr.’s bald head. The instrumental is straight-up soap opera-level dramatic, setting the perfect tone for each rapper’s distinct vibe. Rick Ross flexes with his signature boastful flair, Russ keeps it grounded with humbling introspection, and Snoop Dogg delivers a competitive edge that only he can bring. The standout, though, is the hook—Russ delivers something soulful and inspiring that ties the whole track together beautifully.

4. Parkstone Drive

After listening to this track, I forgave Russ for all the s**t talk he’s been dishing out over the past few months.

You know that feeling when you visit a friend’s house and they start arguing with their parents? That’s exactly the vibe of this song. In it, Russ confronts his father, calling out his jealous behavior rooted in the fact that he’s no longer the family’s main provider. The raw, honest lyrics resonate deeply, shedding light on why Russ carries that chip on his shoulder.

3. Serious

Usually, when they start taking you seriously, the food starts tasting worse.

Russ’ versatility is one of his standout qualities. He not only raps and sings well but also embodies whichever persona he chooses with ease. In “Serious,” the New Jersey artist takes a romantic approach, delivering an R&B-infused track that centers around taking a few chances on love, no matter how successful you are in your career. The melody and harmonies he brings to the song are spot on, and his lyrics are straightforward enough for even R. Kelly to understand (alright, maybe that was a low blow).

2. The Flute Song

Wait, this song doesn’t feature André 3000?

“The Flute Song” is another track from Russ where he stirs things up, calling out his opps and flaunting his success. While his verses might make you want to throw a punch, it’s hard not to admire his strong rapping skills. He delivers catchy lines, switches up his flows seamlessly, and rides the flute-driven beat with impressive finesse.

I guess Russ can play that Jalen Ramsey role for now because he’s good at what he does.

1. Missing You Crazy

This track gave me “In My Feelings” vibes.

“Missing You Crazy” is truly something special. The track offers a mix of introspective lyrics and bold harmonies from Russ. But what stands out is the captivating melody in the hook. Russ pulls you into his story of recognizing love as he unabashedly admits his obsession with the woman with a firm grip on his heart.

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SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. The Flute Song (4/5)

2. Outlaw (3.5/5)

3. Kill Them All (4/5)

4. Missing You Crazy (5/5)

5. Voicemail (4/5)

6. Parkstone Drive (4/5)

7. Begging You (3.5/5)

8. Serious (4/5)

9. Keep My Wits (3/5)

10. Our Time (4/5)

11. From A Distance (4/5)

12. Last Forever (Ft. Rick Ross & Snoop Dogg) (4/5)

13. Keep It Pushin’ (Ft. Mahalia) (3.5/5)

14. Fuck That (3.5/5)

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OVERALL RATING

(C+) (77%)

In all honesty, I’ve never heard a rapper as consistently perturbed with the hip-hop industry as Russ. Right out the gate, Zoo opens with “The Flute Song,” where he chastises others in the game for being fake. This theme of calling out the industry’s flaws clearly fires Russ up, but on the flip side, I wonder if this mindset holds him back. Don’t get me wrong—his bars are sharp, and his punchlines hit hard; however, content-wise, I felt he missed an opportunity to capitalize on the production fully.

Russ stirred the pot when he claimed that many rappers recycle the same beats. With Zoo, he got his chance to set the standard—and he somewhat succeeded. The album features a variety of instrumentals that showcase his versatility. Russ harmonizes smoothly, raps with grit, and fuses the two approaches seamlessly when necessary. That said, the album lacks emotional impact. Despite his confidence, a lot of his words come across as hollow. Tracks like “Voicemail” and “Parkstone Drive,” where Russ opens up about his family and personal motivations, are standout moments of vulnerability.

You might wonder why I’m being so critical of Russ on this project. The answer is simple: Russ strives for greatness, and when you aim high, you have to deliver more than what Zoo offers. He’s undeniably talented, but his approach to this album feels oddly conflicted—like he’s pushing hard but failing to connect on a deeper level. I’d love to see him collaborate with other musicians in the future, as I think his sound could benefit from fresh perspectives. Russ isn’t bad—far from it—but his music could use a metaphorical software update to take it to the next level.

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