Welcome to the Zoo

Welcome to the Zoo is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Gorilla Zoe. It was released on September 25, 2007, via Block Entertainment/Bad Boy Records. Recording sessions took place at McKoy St. Studios and Funkshop Studio in Atlanta, and the Hit Factory Criteria in Miami. Production was handled by Drumma Boy, Dee Jay Dana, Jay Mac, Canei Finch, Chris Flame, DOA, Fatboi, Flawda Water, Lazyboi, Mike The Track Blazer, Willie "Chuck" Shivers and Win. It features guest appearances from Boyz n da Hood, Yung Joc, Block, D. Woods and JC.
The album debuted at number 18 on the Billboard 200, number 8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 3 on the Top Rap Albums, selling 35,000 copies in its first week in the United States. The album was supported by two singles: "Hood Figga", which peaked at number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 13 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and "Juice Box", which made it to number 78 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

Critical reception

Welcome to the Zoo received mixed reviews from music critics. AllMusic's Jason Birchmeier said that the album was well-produced but criticized Zoe for being too similar to Young Jeezy, saying that "Jeezy can be witty and adorns his raps with a signature array of ad libs". 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". Maurice G. Garland of XXL stated: "unfortunately, Gorilla throws a monkey wrench in his trap jam with a barrage of frivolous fare". 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".