Young Jeezy- Thug Motivation 101; The Snowman legendary ecological footprint in the Trap Music Scene

Young Jeezy The Snowman

Young Jeezy could be one of the founding fathers of trap, depends who you have on your list. From the T.I’s to Gucci Mane’s, Jeezy stood out because of his deep voice along with his double entendre’s which Rick Ross also does well in his music. Coming into the scene as Lil J in 2001, he dropped his album T.U.I (Thugging under influence) which Jeezy was trying to make a name for himself. He got to work with multiple people such as Lil Jon and Pastor Troy in his beginnings so you know he got something special going on with his career. Jeezy never gave up once he reinvented himself into making himself Young Jeezy in 2003 with his Cam’Ron inspired album, “Come Shop With Me” which gave Jeezy a little more exposure in Atlanta when T.I and Ludacris were the ones from the A who were handling work for those down south. Ever since the Lil Jon crunk take over, that exposed more people in Atlanta from the trap scene to come forward and deliver their own talents. Jeezy came up in the game through the dirty south scene full of dominant performers such as new comers like T.I and Bone Crusher at the time.

Young Jeezy drops Trap Or Die before his debut TM 101

The first time I listened to Young Jeezy was on Fabolous 2004 Lp, “Real Talk” (Fabolous best CD if you ask me) and he came on the song called “Do The Damn Thang”. Jeezy delivered his slow flow as he spits “ My phone is tapped so is my living room”. Those were simple lines but Jeezy’s voice made it special and catchy for me. Jeezy made his mark into the game with his melodic adlibs along with songs about the trap. Jeezy’s Trap or Die Mixtape made its way into my small town I grew up in Indiana like drugs being smuggled. The reason I say that is because I went to school and I had friends walk up to me and put their headphones on my head as I heard Get Em Jeezy, a mixtape track from the DJ Drama hosted mixtape. DJ Drama and Jeezy made audio dope of a free mixtape that sounded like an album. Coming from artist like 50 Cent and Lil Wayne who made mixtapes the way they were, Young Jeezy mixtape could of got him arrested but if that is the case, we would of never heard it and my summer would be missing. This was an important piece to my life because this was one of the last things I was bumping that year to help me get through things and situations that gave me a minor setback. The minor setbacks I had were heart breaking and had me in a state of mind where I was lost until I played this mixtape and realized that it was either Trap or Die.

Tha Streets iz watchin hosted by DJ Drama

Before hand, he dropped the mixtape called Tha streetz is Watching which included the 2005 spring banger, “Ova Here” feat. legendary Houston legend, Bun B. Jeezy’s performance on that song made me want to hear more and before Trap or Die dropped, he made guest appearances on Fabolous Real Talk and Trick Daddy Thug Matrimony. Jeezy made a name for himself in 2005 with his Snowman campaign along with naming himself Mr. 17.5 ( a special number that Jeezy and those that know Jeezy understand). He even went as far as hopping on Gucci Mane’s Icey song. Jeezy made such an impact with his Snowman campaign, his t-shirts and merchandise were banned from schools. I have not heard of that since ICP and their Juggalo shirts being banned in which I see nothing wrong with them either. There are people who rock Ozzy Ozbourne shirts and he done foul stuff along with other artist.

Jeezy Drops Trap Or Die in 2005

Controversy sells and Jeezy was the man at doing it at the time. First getting his shirts banned, next his beef with Gucci, Jeezy was a fearless underdog who stepped into the game as a rookie but rhymed like a vet. He delivered hits with his limited vocabulary but knew how to put words together to make it come together like a gathering. No piece was missing and he was ready to drop his debut Thug Motivation 101. Def Jam and Bad Boy Entertainment co-signed him making him one of the first rappers to sign two record deals in the same year. That same year, he and his 2005 group “Boyz In Da Hood” dropped their debut album setting the world on fire with four trappers who come to chase the bag together. Today, we will dive into the full track list and I will give my reasons why this album is monumental and important to our culture.

Lets Get It: Thug Motivation 101

1. Thug Motivation- Jeezy gives the world his introduction to what he does best. Spit the best trap bars in the booth. He starts off the song with his double entedre’s where he raps, “ Use to hit the kitchen lights, cock roaches everywhere/ Now I hit the kitchen lights, marble floors everywhere. Isn’t this every person who grew up in the slums to come up like Jeezy did? Jeezy delivered a dope intro into hearing what Thug Motivation is all about.
2. Standing Ovation- This is a song for the trappers in which those can feel this song in their veins. Even those who are not selling drugs can feel this song because the horns, synthesizers, and the bass makes it a trap classic trap to where it can be used for something theatrical, including an action movie.
3. Gangsta Music- Jeezy makes it known that “ hes a real nigga and he don’t like rappers”. Jeezy is known for making his hits and Gangsta Music defines his creativity and how he manages his time when he comes up with this masterpiece. Gangsta Music as track three keeps it an album you can play with no skips.
4. Lets Get It/ Sky’s The Limit- Jeezy killed it with his motivation speeches on the song in which he says “Men do what they want, boys do what they can/ it ain’t no secret I’m a grown ass man”. Jeezy coming off braggadocios and he is quite spontaneous with his word play. Jeezy is good a piecing words together and Sky’s The Limit is a great example of how he did it. Effortless and efficient is what Jeezy did on this song which makes this track four…. NO SKIPS
5. And Then What Feat. Mannie Fresh- This was the summer of 2005’s trap anthem to folks to ride to and mean mug anyone standing in the way
6. Go Crazy Feat. Jay-Z- Jeezy killed this sample and Hova blessed it. Jay-Z’s verse was important because around the time he was supposed to retire, he ends up doing guest verses. I think his retirement from rap was his getaway from the rap game to venture off into new things and him signing Young Jeezy was a great investment, not just for him but Def Jam as well.
7. Last Of A Dying Breed Feat. Trick Daddy, Young Buck, & Lil Will- The three dirty south rappers come on here and deliver some thug bars. Don’t forget, Young Buck was also one of those in 2005 who had their shine and delivered his excellent debut, Straight Outta Cashville and Trick Daddy giving his blessing shows the world Jeezy hangs with the real. Last of a Dying Breed, what more do you expect.
8. My Hood- A fun radio single for the kids with a playful instrumental for you to singalong to.
9. Bottom of The Map- An ode to Atlanta and a welcome to Young Jeezy as he showcases his hometown and helping the world recognize ATL at it’s finest.
10. Get Your Mind Right- Bragging rights in this. He got trapper of the year four times in a row. I’d brag to if I had that award
11. Trap Star- DJ Toomp’s horns brings the energy in making this sound like a movie. The soundtrack to life as Jeezy shines on this song with his wordplay and the music video was the introduction to Vida Guerrerro, a popular video vixen in the 2000's
12. Bang Feat. T.I & Lil Scrappy- Three ATL rappers put together to bring a banger. Twist your fingers up, Bang MF Bang
13. Don’t Get Caught- A message to the trappers out there. Don’t Get Caught
14. Soul Survivor Feat. Akon- A rap testimonial about surviving the streets. As you know, he is a soul survivor.
15. Trap Or Die Feat. Bun B- The original with Slick Pulla and Bun B was a classic. This song is a classic but when I bought the CD and Slick got taken off, I was mad but I understood because not too many people know how hard it is to be accepted in the industry. I love this song but was mad when Def Jam took Slick off the song
16. Tear It Up Feat. Lloyd- Lloyd’s raspy voice singing about thugs having a one night stand with local girls in their hood. Jeezy playing that player life saying he got one kid one wife but willing to smash these broads.
17. That’s how ya feel- A feel good song that makes you want to burn the streets up in your Chevy with a box of 12’s making your trunk jump.
18. Talk 2 Em- Over a soulful sample, Jeezy’s voice is giving out more advice on the trap and survival
19. Air Forces- This song is important to Jeezy’s career because of how many times he promoted this song before he dropped Trap Or Die or any of his monumental mixtapes. Jeezy proves he comes along way with his he went from old school Chevy’s to Drop Top Porsche's, this is every person in the hood’s dream to come up the way Young Jeezy to come up.

Overall

Young Jeezy has brought culture to another level with his trap trends. Jeezy taught the world how to Trap Or Die and made it seem like he a veteran with a rookie status. He still continues to flood the streets with his music carrying an enigma that puts trap in each and every one of us. Jeezy has made trap an art because of the picture he paints with his words over them trap synthesizers and made something special out of his debut album. There are other artist who made an impact with their music but Young Jeezy took Thug Motivation and made it an art piece for the world to frame.

Young Jeezy has dropped more mixtapes and albums. If there are people in the street, at home, or even those I work with ask me about Jeezy, All I have to do is play Trap or Die Mixtape or Thug Motivation 101. The album and mixtape has helped fans notice Young Jeezy and Jeezy is an influence for our culture because of the voice and the motivation. The voice of the streets and the motivation of the hood. This is a deadly combination that makes Young Jeezy.

Live From The Stove Top,

Andrew Kenekham AKA Druski Dru