Gorilla Zoe: Slow Ride To The Top

When you first meet Gorilla Zoe, you see a very nonchalant individual, not worried about record sales or top of the charts singles. But so far, it seems to have worked for him. In fact, his humbleness and willingness to learn is what drew Block Entertainment CEO, Russell "Block" Spencer, to the Atlanta rapper, who was snatched up immediately after hearing the rough version of his hit single, "Hood Figga."

After signing to Block Ent., he began work on his solo debut, Welcome To The Zoo, which is in stores now. But, with Young Jeezy gone from Block's Boy N Da Hood group, Zoe was put into the studio with the rest of the group, which resulted in him joining the group.

Beginning his career similar to Jeezy's, Zoe is poised to make big moves in hip-hop, but he's not in a rush to do so. He realizes there is a long road to success and he is willing to take the steps to move toward that goal, but not if he has to compromise who he is as a person. In a conversation with Zoe, BallerStatus.com gets the 411 as to why he didn't drop a catchy dance song as his first single, how he got down with Block Entertainment and where he's headed in the future. As Zoe puts it, he's "just working partner."

BallerStatus.com: So, you replaced Young Jeezy in the Boyz N Da Hood project. Can you explain how that came about, and how you fit into the group over there?

Gorilla Zoe: Jeezy had a one album deal while I was over there recording for my solo project. Block wanted to know what we sounded like together, so we went in there, came out like magic. So, here we are, Boy N Da Hood.

BallerStatus.com: Right now, you are in a similar situation that Jeezy was when he first dropped. He had two albums out at the same time, his solo debut and the Boyz N Da Hood project. That's a crazy coincidence... especially since you're the second Boyz N Da Hood member to drop a solo record since Jeezy did. Do you have the same plan as he did, as far as moving on to pursue your solo career, after this run with the group?

Gorilla Zoe: Nah, nah, nah, we family. It's bigger than rap. Relationships are more important that that, but I do and I do it well. I'm thankful for it, but Boyz N Da Hood is more than a rap group, just like Block Entertainment is more than a label.

BallerStatus.com: It's got to be a little conflict of interest, as far as having two different things coming out so close together. What's different about your role in Boyz N Da Hood, compared to your role as a solo artist who just dropped his debut album?

Gorilla Zoe: I'll break it down. I was in Atlanta for three days for the "Table Dance" campaign (new single) with Boyz N Da Hood. We went around to all the strip clubs and threw a whole lot of money up. I flew into New York today and I'm back in the Zoo. I'm basically back and forth from the Chevy to the Zoo... from Boyz N Da Hood to Gorilla Zoe. I just keep it moving.

BallerStatus.com: For those unfamiliar with you before these two projects, tell me a little about what was going on with you before these two new albums?

Gorilla Zoe: I was in retail, put together a couple stores. Around in 2003, it was like, "Ok, let's put together a studio." We put it together and in 2005, we opened it up. We didn't really get any clientele because it was so close to Grand Hustle and The Aphilliates' studios. So, I was like, "Ok, I got all this equipment, so let me learn how to use this sh--." I learned to use it and started to record myself and there comes the first incarnation of "Hood Figga." Block got the CD during [Yung] Joc's album release party and immediately the deal came up.

BallerStatus.com: So you said you went from retail to doing music after you got the equipment, but did you try recording before any of that?

Gorilla Zoe: Everybody try doing that sh--, but I didn't know what I was doing. I bought the equipment because I thought I was gonna make a whole hell of a lot of money. But, it didn't work that way, babbbyyy. It didn't work that way.

BallerStatus.com: Your solo debut is called Welcome To The Zoo. Obviously it's a play off your name, so explain to us about the album's title and how it pertains to the album.

Gorilla Zoe: First break down is the Zoo. The Zoo is the concrete jungle, the streets. Everybody knows about the hood and what goes on, it's being monitored like a zoo. So, Welcome To The Zoo. The Zoo has all kind of different animals and different characters. Me, myself, I am the gorilla. I'm the strongest, smartest being or beast out here in the streets. I'm a beast in the streets, partner. That's how it is. Welcome To The Zoo, Gorilla Zoe, in stores now. Go cop that.

BallerStatus.com: "Hood Figga" has been getting a lot of love, how do you feel the single did, as far as introducing you to the masses?

Gorilla Zoe: It did great and I didn't how to compromise who I was. The world went for it babbbbyyy.

BallerStatus.com: When a new artist comes out, his debut has to hold its weight. How do you feel your debut will make its impact on the hip-hop industry and fans?

Gorilla Zoe: It's finna keep surprising motherf---ers 'cause I didn't have no... Let me tell you something. It wasn't no expectations on me anyway, for me to drop this year anyway. My street buzz is crazy. Everybody don't know the album out, but hopefully they do, so they can get it. I ain't got not one bad review on that motherf---er, so you know... not one. This is real man. I just gotta let everybody know it's out and I'm gonna do that, time after time (sings the chorus of the Cyndi Lauper single "Time After Time").

BallerStatus.com: Block Entertainment's track record has so far proven that they can find talent and make stars. What did they see in Gorilla Zoe and/or what made them pick you over all the other talent in the ATL?

Gorilla Zoe: I don't know man. Big Block said it was one thing that stood out more and it was my ability to listen and my humbleness. Other than that, I don't know.

BallerStatus.com: You are quoted as saying that you wanted to create an album like Dr. Dre's The Chronic because of how timeless it was. That's a huge weight to put on yourself. Do you feel like you succeeded in doing that?

Gorilla Zoe: Man, I created a Down South classic album. It's nobody coming out of Atlanta that is making music like this man. Real talk. It's the hottest album in the streets, nobody making music like this.

BallerStatus.com: So, what's different about it? That sets it apart?

Gorilla Zoe: Because I ain't worried about no record sales. I didn't compromise myself. I didn't make up no damn dance and stupid song to go with it. I kept it real and that's what I did with my whole album. That's me.

As a man, I understand it's not the sh-- that you say, it's the beat that make a motherf---er dance. I pick a hot beat and go hard over that motherf---er.

BallerStatus.com: A lot of people say the South make a lot of songs and dances, so do you feel that people concentrate too much on that instead of creating original music?

Gorilla Zoe: N----s just trying to get that check man. You don't wake up in the God damn morning dancing. I don't hate it and I don't knock it. It's for the kids. But it's real, when you wake up in the morning, you trying to figure out what you gonna do to get some money. Only time n---- was dancing in the clubs was when we was little, but once you get older, you got your drink and you got your two step, and it's on.

But, Gorilla Zoe, I'm a different breed man.

BallerStatus.com: The first week sales, Welcome To The Zoo came back at no. 18 on the Billboard 200. How did that make you feel?

Gorilla Zoe: I'm thankful, but I don't give a damn about numbers. There wasn't that much promotion done on me. I had 24 days to promote my album. I did "106 & Park," but never did "TRL." I don't care too much about that sh--. It's just hand to hand combat with me like I'm selling dope out here. As soon as I get on stage, that's where I'm telling everybody to go get my album.

But, that was that street buzz. My biggest following is in the West Coast man, and they don't even know my album is out. It's crazy. Let me tell you something. This is one of them album that will sell for a long, long, long time because I been out here on the road and I see how people f--- with me. I just know how many Gangsta Grillz we did.

BallerStatus.com: Yea, so you see first hand how people are grasping onto the music.

Gorilla Zoe: Yea, but you know how we did it? Nobody knew about it. It's like my album, nobody know about it. It went out and got 45 or 50,000 first week, but it ain't really about the first week to me.

BallerStatus.com: What's next for you? What else is on your plate right now?

Gorilla Zoe: Just working partner. Welcome To The Zoo in stores now.

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