V.I.P. Suite: Gorilla Zoe

(photos taken by: Jami B, suiteSTL.com)

We’ve all heard the stereotypes of today’s rapper: Money, cars, clothes, sex, and sometimes vulgarity at its rawest form. Aside from his gear of sagging jeans, cocked hat, and oversize shirt Atlanta rapper Gorilla Zoe dispels those myths. His mannerism tonight is playful infused with a twang of southern charm, his answers are well thought out taking a pause before answering each question, and he is adamant about keeping it real at all times.

What are you bringing different to the table with your new album Please Don’t Feed the Animals?
I’ve done the club songs and the booty popping music you can only shake your ass so much. With this album I’m talking about real shit and real issues. This is something you never heard before from Zoe. This is album is about real life shit.

Were you surprised with this success of Hood Nigga?
I was surprised with success period. On the real this wasn’t guaranteed. I could’ve still been out there in the streets.

Where do you stand on the “hip hop is dead” issue?
Hip hop to me is just like dancing, it all evolves into something else. Saying hip hop is dead is just like Run DMC telling NWA they killing hip hop and NWA saying that to No Limit and No Limit to Cash Money and Cash Money to Soulja Boy. You have to adjust with change. Hip Hop is far from dead, it’s just changing.

Tell me one thing about you that people don’t know that you wish they understood about you?
I’m educated, well rounded, and just a real ass dude.

Pac or Biggie?
Pac, I could most definitely relate more to Pac, he was rapping about the type of stuff where I was at in my life, thugging.

Nas or Jay-Z?
Nas, and I say that because I love real shit!

Alonzo or Gorilla Zoe?
Alonzo, and I mean that because I am always Alonzo that is who I am and nothing will change that, but Gorilla Zoe is who I am at a certain time.

Gorilla Zoe was recently in St. Louis for the Lil Wayne concert in which he later offered the sound advice of “go hard and put your money together” to St. Louis rappers who are known for not working together (i.e. – New St. Louis vs Old New St. Louis). St. Louis has made a good impression on Zoe who says it reminds him of how Atlanta use to be, “down home”. Gorilla Zoe has worked with St. Louis’ own Jus Bleezy and is a fan of Kanye West, T.I., and Rick Ross. When talking with Zoe you can feel the humility and appreciation of the position he is in. It’s clear that he is aware that he is lucky to have the opportunity to go into the studio and pour out his heart through his passion for rapping. His video for his new single Lost just made is debut on 106 and Park last week, the song is also blazing the hip hop radio airwaves and is sure to be a top song of 2009. Make sure you grab a copy of his sophomore album Please Don’t Feed the Animals.

Cryssrenee, Gorilla Zoe and Jami B