Rapper Russ' album, “Zoo,” released Sept. 7. The lyrics are fueled less by the arrogant attitude that filled his previous music and more by his anger at hate he has received from the rap community.

I told him frankly that he was terrible at texting. “I know,” he said, hiding mischief in his smile, something I would both fall for and fall out of favor with. “I’ll call you tonight.” Calling?...