ATL RAPPER OPENS THE CAGE AND SETS DEBUT ALBUM FREE;
COLLECTION FEATURES HIT SINGLE, “HOOD FIGGA”;
STAR-STUDDED ROSTER OF SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDES
YUNG JOC, DANITY KANE’S D. WOODS, BOYZ N DA HOOD;
“WELCOME TO THE ZOO” UNLEASHED ON SEPTEMBER 25TH
Block Entertainment/Bad Boy South recording artist Gorilla Zoe has announced details of his upcoming new album, “WELCOME TO THE ZOO.” The ATL-based rapper’s eagerly awaited debut collection - which features the banging hit single, “Hood Figga” - lands in stores and online on September 25th.
Zoe is quickly marking himself as one of the hottest, most original new voices in hip-hop, via his featured role on Block Entertainment/Bad Boy South labelmate Yung Joc’s current hit single, “Coffee Shop,” as well as by his recent membership in superstar rap combo Boyz N Da Hood (whose highly anticipated second album, “BACK UP N DA CHEVY,” drops on October 2nd). He is also featured on “Bottle Poppin’,” the latest single from Yung Joc’s top-charting second album, “HUSTLENOMICS,” which has just arrived at multi-format radio outlets across the country.
“I’ve been in the game for a while,” says CEO of Block Entertainment, Russell “Block” Spencer. “I knew Zoe had the talent and ability to bring the Block Entertainment Movement to the next level.”
“WELCOME TO THE ZOO” confirms Zoe’s status as a major artist in his own right, chronicling the rapper’s life experiences in Atlanta’s concrete jungle. The album sees Zoe joined by such major-league special guests as Yung Joc, Block, D. Woods of Danity Kane, and his fellow Boyz N Da Hood (Duke, Big Gee, and Jody Breeze), with production from a incredible line-up of studio superstars, including Sha Money XL (50 Cent, Slim Thug, Paul Wall), Chris Flame (Yung Joc), Dee Jay Dana (Boyz N Da Hood, Yung Joc), and Drumma Boy (Juvenile, Young Jeezy, Paul Wall).
“One of my favorite albums is Dr. Dre’s ‘THE CHRONIC,’” says Zoe. “That’s the kind of album I wanted to create. Something that can stand the test of time.”
A true hip-hop anthem, “Hood Figga” is rapidly rising up the charts in multiple formats. The track is now #14 with-a-bullet at Urban radio outlets nationwide, while scoring top 30 play at Rhythmic. “Hood Figga” is also shaping up as a blockbuster ringtone, climbing to #13 on Billboard’s latest “Hot RingMasters” ranking.
The song’s companion video is currently blowing up at BET, where it is now in “Heavy” rotation on BET’s Rap City. A special installment of Rap City focusing on the extraordinary Block Entertainment roster - which includes Zoe, Yung Joc, and Boyz N Da Hood - is stated to air on September 22nd (check local listings).
Gorilla Zoe and “Hood Figga” are also exploding across the MTV spectrum. “WELCOME TO THE ZOO” is currently streaming in its entirety - for one week only, through next week’s official release date - as part of MTV.com’s “The Leak” (located at www.mtv.com/music/the_leak). Meanwhile, the “Hood Figga” video is a current rotation favorite at MTV2, where it received an “Unleashed” all-day premiere earlier this summer. In addition, “Hood Figga” can be seen in “Sizzlin” rotation at MTV Jams, with additional cable airplay on Music Choice.
Zoe spent much of his summer paving the way for “WELCOME TO THE ZOO” by joining Yung Joc on stage for a number of dates on BET and Scream Star Entertainment’s “Screamfest ‘07.” The ATL-based rapper also teamed with Joc for a series of high-profile TV appearances, including visits to ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, and MTV’s Making The Band 4.
