Gorilla Zoe’s official video release for “Diamonds & Dope”. The LP King Kong is tentatively scheduled for release this year on Bad Boy South/Block Ent.

We had some unreleased music yesterday from Gorilla Zoe, now this track comes to us today from his upcoming project. The new album will be out later this year from Zoe.

Gorilla Zoe – “Day Dreamer” (MP3)

Here we go with a little softer track from Gorilla Zoe and Daron Jones of 112. This is a older unreleased track from a couple years ago. This is that pour out a little liquor kind of music. Check it out below.

Gorilla Zoe + Daron Jones (of 112) – “Heartbeat” (MP3)

Dat new new from your resident Hood Figga, produced by Illfonics.

What’s great about this clip is how Zoe uses the energy to refuel the rest of his performance. Captured in Hilton Head, South Carolina this weekend.

What makes this album disappointing is that it comes off as a poor man’s Young Jeezy’s Thug Motivation 101 with its overuse of tales of drug dealing, trap houses, and getting high.  This is a problem because Gorilla Zoe does not possess the wittiness or the ad-lib making ability that made Mr. 17.5 so entertaining on his first LP.  This is clearly evident on “Money Man,” a track that discusses cocaine by analogously using white celebrities as references.  Haven’t we heard this before?  Also, the guest appearances do not help take this album to the next level by that the only featured artists are those who are on Block Entertainment/Bad Boy Entertainment.  This does not add any variety or diversity to the album, which it desperately needs.  Adding to this problem is the fact that on most of the guest appearances Gorilla Zoe gets overshadowed (by Jody Breeze), sounds too similar to the featured artist (Yung Joc), or just falls in line with the rest of the pack (as in the case of “Real MotherFucker” with Boyz in the Hood).  The only positive aspect of this album, if it is to have one, is the production.  But beats with heavy bass and catchy rhythms are not enough to enhance this record; it only makes it that more tolerable.

On an artist’s first offering it is their job or better yet, their opportunity to let the mass public know who they are and what makes them that way.  Gorilla Zoe obviously does not seize upon this moment.  From what it seems he just takes the ever so familiar road to conformity so many artists take.  Because of this Welcome to the Zoo is in all actuality not that welcoming and just might not even be worth the visit. - Ryan Harrison