Zoo York (song)
{{for|the Oakenfold song|Bunkka}}
{{short description|2020 song by Lil Tjay featuring Fivio Foreign and Pop Smoke}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Zoo York
| type = song
| artist = Lil Tjay featuring Fivio Foreign and Pop Smoke
| EP = State of Emergency
| released = May 8, 2020
| recorded =
| genre = Brooklyn drill
| length = 3:34
| label = Columbia
| writer = {{hlist|Tione Merritt|Maxie Ryles III|Bashar Jackson|Brendan Walsh|Luis Campozano Jr.}}
| producer = {{hlist|Non Native|Bordeaux}}
| misc = {{External music video|type=song|{{YouTube|ToRiflECtU8|"Zoo York"}}}}
}}
"Zoo York" is a song by American rapper Lil Tjay, released on May 8, 2020 from his third EP State of Emergency. It features American rappers Fivio Foreign and Pop Smoke, and was produced by Non Native and Bordeaux.
Composition
"Zoo York" is a drill song that finds the three rappers detailing the features of New York City, where they all come from.{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Jon |title=Lil Tjay delivers new visual for “Zoo York” featuring Fivio Foreign and Pop Smoke |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2020-05-13/76745/lil-tjay-delivers-new-visual-for-zoo-york-featuring-fivio-foreign-and-pop-smoke |website=Revolt |access-date=12 April 2024 |date=May 13, 2020}} Lil Tjay performs in his signature melodic sound, while the beat is influenced by the UK drill style.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Aaron |title=Lil Tjay’s Moody ‘Zoo York’ Video With Fivio Foreign And Pop Smoke Sets The Street On Fire |url=https://uproxx.com/music/lil-tjay-zoo-york-video-fivio-foreign-pop-smoke/ |website=Uproxx |access-date=12 April 2024 |date=May 11, 2020}}
Critical reception
Reviewing State of Emergency for NME, Kyann-Sian Williams wrote "you might expect their collaboration 'Zoo York' to be the standout track here. True, Tjay's hook is as catchy as ever, but the song – like the EP as a whole – comes off as a transparent attempt to jump on the current hype around New York drill. The UK drill-inspired instrumental is impactful and menacing but seems at odds with Tjay's sweet auto-tune. Smoke's verse sounds worked in over an instrumental; it's tough to listen to because he'd clearly have slain the track if he'd been around to master it."{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Kyann-Sian |title=Lil Tjay – ‘State Of Emergency’ EP review: trap’n’b star makes cynical grab for New York drill hype |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/lil-tjay-state-of-emergency-review-2661573 |website=NME |access-date=12 April 2024 |date=May 7, 2020}} Aaron Williams of Uproxx praised Lil Tjay's performance, stating he "proves equally adept at the more rambunctious approach, demonstrating his versatility as a rapper and justifying his growing hype alongside some of the city's other burgeoning superstars like Foreign, Smoke, and Jay Critch."
Music video
The music video was directed by JL Shot That and released alongside the song. It sees the rappers and their crews dancing and partying in crowds in different locations of New York City,{{cite web |last1=Caraan |first1=Sophie |title=Lil Tjay and Fivio Foreign Show Love to New York and Pop Smoke in "Zoo York" Music Video |url=https://hypebeast.com/2020/5/lil-tjay-fivio-foreign-pop-smoke-zoo-york-music-video |website=Hypebeast |access-date=12 April 2024 |date=May 12, 2020}} including the streets and highway, with police appearing on the streets as well. The celebrations feature moshing and the use of flamethrowers. Some attendees wear face masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The clip contains footage of Pop Smoke performing in places such as onstage, in the studio and in clubs, as well as appearing on the street alongside rapper Calboy, and that of people wearing Meet the Woo merchandise.
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for "Zoo York" ! scope="col"| Chart (2020) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{single chart|Canada|38|artist=Lil Tjay|rowheader=true|access-date=April 12, 2024}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland3|91|artist=Lil Tjay|rowheader=true|access-date=April 12, 2024}} |
| {{single chart|UK|65|date=20200517|rowheader=true|access-date=April 12, 2024}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|65|artist=Lil Tjay|rowheader=true|access-date=April 12, 2024}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|28|artist=Lil Tjay|rowheader=true|access-date=April 12, 2024}} |
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Zoo York"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Lil Tjay|title=Zoo York|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2022|access-date=April 13, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Lil Tjay/Fivio Foreign/Smoke|title=Zoo York|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2025|id=20992-7154-1|access-date=April 26, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Lil Tjay|title=Zoo York|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2022|access-date=April 13, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Lil Tjay}}
{{Fivio Foreign}}
{{Pop Smoke}}
Category:Songs written by Lil Tjay
Category:Songs written by Fivio Foreign