''Welcome to the Zoo'' is the debut studio album by American rapper

Gorilla Zoe Alonzo Keith Mathis Jr. (born January 27, 1981), better known by his stage name Gorilla Zoe (), is an American rapper originally from East Point, Georgia. He is best known for being a member of the rap group Boyz N Da Hood. His solo debut album ...

. It was released on September 25, 2007, by

Bad Boy South Bad Boy South was a southern hip hop spin-off label of Bad Boy Records. The label was founded by Sean Combs in 2003. History Bad Boy South was founded in 2003 after this signing of 8 Ball & MJG. The label was created to capitalize on the success ...

, which was distributed by

Block Entertainment Block Entertainment or Block Ent. Worldwide is a record label created by Russell "Block" Spencer and Andrew "Gotti" Couser. The label is known for creating southern group Boyz N Da Hood and releasing artist Yung Joc. In 2005 Block signed an excl ...

. The album debuted at number 18 on the ''Billboard'' 200, selling 35,000 copies in its first week in the United States. The album was supported by two

single Single may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Single (music), a song release Songs * "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004 * "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008 * "Single" (William Wei song), 2016 * "Single", by ...

s: "

Hood Figga "Hood Nigga" ( edited for radio as "Hood Figga") is a song by American hip hop recording artist Gorilla Zoe, released as the lead single from his debut album, ''Welcome to the Zoo''. It was officially released via iTunes, on April 24, 2007. The ...

" and "Juice Box" featuring

Yung Joc Jasiel Amon Robinson (born September 20, 1980), better known by his stage name Yung Joc, is an American rapper. He is best known for his 2006 hit single " It's Goin' Down". and as a feature on T-Pain's US number-one single "Buy U a Drank (Shawt ...

Critical reception

''Welcome to the Zoo'' received mixed reviews from critics. Steve 'Flash' Juon of ''RapReviews'' praised Gorilla for his voice and humorous lyrics but felt he was being dragged by the typical hip-hop clichés, concluding that "''Welcome to the Zoo'' proves that Zoe has star potential - it's just that he may have been shoved into the spotlight prematurely."

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...

's Jason Birchmeier said that the album was well-produced but criticized Zoe for being too similar to

Young Jeezy Jay Wayne Jenkins (born September 28, 1977), known by his stage name Jeezy (or Young Jeezy), is an American rapper. Signing to Def Jam Recordings in 2004, his major label debut, '' Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101'', was released the followin ...

, saying that "Jeezy can be witty and adorns his raps with a signature array of ad libs." Robert Christgau cited "Money Man", "Take Your Shoes Off" and "Do Something" as "choice cuts", indicating good songs on "an album that isn't worth your time or money."

Track listing

Chart positions

References

2007 debut albums Gorilla Zoe albums Bad Boy South albums Albums produced by Drumma Boy Albums produced by Fatboi Albums produced by Sha Money XL {{2007-hiphop-album-stub