Zooty Zoo

First time I've heard about Zooty Zoo was when I listened to the Cypha Session Part II on the B-side of the Ecko Unlimited Mixtape - Underground Airplay Vol.II released in 1994, featuring two MCs from Brooklyn named Building Block & Herbal E who were part of this group. A bunch of other emcees also featured on this Nick Wiz-Produced track, like Vice Grip, Starchild, UG & Phantasm (Cella Dwellas) & Lord Digga.

 What a surprise for me a few years later when I've seen that some unreleased tracks recorded by the same group (tagged under the name of Zoodizoo) were on the Cellar Selections compilations dropped by Nick Wiz & Gentleman's Relief Records. 

01 - Jane Doe 

02 - The Zoodizoo Theme

03 - We On Beyond

04 - Wild Like A Zoo

05 - Physical Form

06 - Partners In Crime

If you're looking for more info about Zooty Zoo, you need to know that the crew originally consisted of Will Tell, Herbal E a.k.a Eddie P. (RIP) and Block McCloud a.k.a Building Block. 

Will Tell - Block & Herbal E - Photo courtesy of Will Tell 

Will Tell started the group around '89, then added Block and Herbal E (RIP). Later members included Red Jesus and Ben the Beyonder. They were all from the same hood, Park Slope Brooklyn, NY. Their first demo recorded in the early 90s featured Will Tell and Block only, and it was recorded in Mantronix Studio in Queens. The demo was produced by Alyasha, who was better known for being Phat Farm's creative director in 1993.  

Alyasha & John Forte - 1993 - Photo courtesy of Alyasha

At that time the members couldn’t afford to press anything up, they were just kids...After that, Will Tell bought his studio and started making all the beats for the group. They played majority of vocals at Nick Wiz basement in Teaneck New Jersey. Nick Wiz produced a few tracks as well, but Will Tell produced majority of all the Zooty Zoo records... Zooty Zoo eventually became Word A' Mouth, which turned into Brooklyn Academy a few years later, a crew consisting of Block McCloud, Will Tell, Pumpkinhead, Mr. Metaphor, Wordamouth... just to name a few. 

Herbal E. (RIP) &  Will Tell - Photo courtesy of Will Tell

Mad Props to Will Tell, thanks for your time. This is dedicated to Eddie Picket a.k.a Herbal E. who recently passed away... Rest In Peace