Gorilla Zoe burst on to the scene with his hood anthem Hood Nigga and instantly became a sensation in the city Atlanta. Signed to Block ENT and filling in the vacant slot left by Young Jeezy in the group Boyz N Da Hood, Gorilla Zoe as a newcomer had a big role to fill. With a unique voice and a blend of styles from others, Gorilla Zoe definitely delivered on his debut album.
When I say blend of styles, I don't mean that as a bad thing. He has elements of style from various rappers of the south such as Yung Joc, Jeezy, Young Dro, and others without really sounding like them. Gorilla Zoe also has a unique style and is clever with his rhymes. He proves to be a versatile rapper as well not just rapping about possessions and dope deals as some would have you believe.
Welcome To The Zoo is riding the whole way through. I admit that I didn't think it would be as good as it really is and that's part of the reason it took me such a long time to review it (other than laziness of course). But I can say with confidence that this is great album. The production is bumping and the rhymes "blowpop paint babygirl take a bite, say she only like girls, me too, we both dykes!" or "the whip go topless, the chevy's a stripper got another just like her I'm in love with sisters!" are entertaining. My favorite songs include Take Your Shoes Off, Tryna Make A Jug, Do Something, Hood Nigga, Count On Me, Juice Box (man that's a hot song!), You Don't Know Me ft. D Woods (Danity Kane), and Lil Shawty.
Gorilla Zoe has effectively filled the void over at Block ENT and definitely deserves to shine. Welcome To The Zoo is a great debut. Now hopefully he can continue to bring the hotness on his next cd.
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If you are not familiar with who Gorilla Zoe is consider yourself one of the lucky ones. He was the replacement for Jeezy for the group Boyz N Da Hood. I dont know why there is so much buzz around him. He sounds like Hitman Sammy Samm with laryngitis. He cant rap and he tries so hard to sound smooth like he's auditioning for a latenight position for radio station DJ in a slow jams hour(and tell the truth. Doesnt that album cover look just like David Banner's Mississippi: The Album? Exactly) Hood N***a is a weak first single and even though there isnt any song that is remotely decent on here he could have chose any other song to be a single except that. Yung Joc Jr shows you how much he wants to be like his idol by having him on tracks like Juice Box and Take Your Shoes Off. Anytime Jody Breeze sounds better than you on a track you need to retire immediately. Jody outshines Zoe on the repetitive Crack Muzik(This That Musik) and Count On Me(also feat JC). Big Gee is okay to me but he cant save Battle Field and Tryna Make A Jug from being completely wack. Gorilla Hoe also stinks at making tracks for the ladies as evidenced in You Dont Know Me feat D.Woods of Dannity Kane and Lil Shawty. Boyz N Da Hood show up on Real Motherf***a, a weak track that sounds like a leftover off of their rush job second LP Back Up N Da Chevy. Things are not good when Zoe raps by himself either. I Know, Money Man and Do Something are strong evidence of that statement. Bottom Line: Welcome To The Zoo is another certified frisbee from Sad Boy Records. The beats are cheap and mundane, the lyrics are weak(not to mention that Gorilla Zoe sounds like he needs to clear his throat badly) and the guest appearances didnt help matters much either. Its a shame. Puffy went from signing Biggie to signing Yung Joc(Nelly/Jeezy clone) to Gorilla Zoe(Yung Joc Jr--confusing isnt it?). Puffy's trying too hard to remain relevant by trying to sign everyone who could be trendy at the expense of making a huge fool of himself and his record label. I dont see how anybody can still have respect for him after seeing how pathetic he has become after Biggie's untimely departure. Standouts: fool please.
I was a little hesitant buying this album but finally i did and i have to say i have not been disappointed at all. I love it and i havent stopped listening to it. Im in my early 30's and have been wondering if all ganster rappers are full of it ... this guy brings me back to what gangster rap is about. he's for real... listen to is for yourself... heavy bass will wake you up . ( and if you are tired of hearing about "ho's and sh**" then this is your cd!!
i like this album, hood figga was good but i still wasnt all that convinced that his album would be serious but i heard it and i like it so im gonna grab it