Jeezy
Template:Infobox musical artist 2
Jay Jenkins (born September 28 1977[1] in Columbia, South Carolina), currently known as Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He was formerly known as "Lil' J" in his early rap career.
Early life
Jay Jenkins was born in Columbia, South Carolina. As an infant Jenkins and his family relocated to Duncan Block, a neighborhood in Macon, Georgia (80 miles south of Atlanta). He eventually moved to West Atlanta's 4th Ward.
Jeezy has described his childhood as "empty"[2]. He has made innumerable references in his music to his previous occupation as a cocaine dealer, although he rarely provides details of his childhood in interviews. Also, according to his lyrics, which may or may not be factual, he has or had an uncle named Grady. This portion of his life, as is often the case with rappers, remains highly veiled and subject to much exaggeration in order to increase his street reputation. However, there is no doubt that Young Jeezy was involved at least to some degree in the illegal cocaine trade, and he is affiliated somehow with the slightly defunct Black Mafia Family.
Music
Young Jeezy released his first independent album, Thuggin' Under the Influence (T.U.I.), in 2001 under the name Lil J.[3] It featured artists such as Kinky B, Fidank, and Lil Jon, who also produced some of the tracks. In 2003, Jeezy released (also independently) Come Shop Wit' Me, a two CD set featuring completely new tracks along with some songs from T.U.I. Come Shop Wit' Me sold 50000 copies world wide.[4] In 2004, he signed with Bad Boy Records and joined the Boyz N Da Hood group. Boyz N Da Hood's self-titled album was released on June 21 2005 and peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Young Jeezy also released a solo album around this time, which was his major label debut, with Def Jam Records. Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 was released on July 26 2005 and debuted at #2, selling 172,000 copies in its first week.[5] In interviews and on several records, Young Jeezy has affirmed his resistance to commercialism in his music.[6] Maintaining his street credibility, according to Jeezy, is of the utmost concern to him as an artist.[7] In 2005, Young Jeezy was featured in several popular hip-hop songs including Gucci Mane's "Icy"[8] and Boyz N Da Hood's "Dem Niggaz". In 2006, he was featured in Christina Milian's single "Say I". Jeezy's second major label album is The Inspiration, which features Project Pat, T.I., Keyshia Cole, Three 6 Mafia, R. Kelly, Bloodraw and Slick Pulla. The album's first single "I Luv It" has peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Jeezy's second highest single to date. The second single is "Bury Me a G". The 3rd single is the club banger "Go Getta" which features R. Kelly. It has already peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks, #11 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks and #18 on the Billboard Hot 100. Young Jeezy "I am the Street Dream" tour is set to kick off March 07'. He also appeared as himself in the hip-hop fighting themed game Def Jam: Icon that can be added to the player's record label.
Young Jeezy appeared on BET's Access Granted for his song "Dreamin" with Keyshia Cole on May 2 at 7:30PM
Music
Young Jeezy released his first independent album, Thuggin' Under the Influence (T.U.I.), in 2001 under the name Lil J.[9] It featured artists such as Kinky B, Fidank, and Lil Jon, who also produced some of the tracks. In 2003, Jeezy released (also independently) Come Shop Wit' Me, a two CD set featuring completely new tracks along with some songs from T.U.I. Come Shop Wit' Me sold 50000 copies world wide.[10] In 2004, he signed with Bad Boy Records and joined the Boyz N Da Hood group. Boyz N Da Hood's self-titled album was released on June 21 2005 and peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Young Jeezy also released a solo album around this time, which was his major label debut, with Def Jam Records. Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 was released on July 26 2005 and debuted at #2, selling 172,000 copies in its first week.[11] In interviews and on several records, Young Jeezy has affirmed his resistance to commercialism in his music.[12] Maintaining his street credibility, according to Jeezy, is of the utmost concern to him as an artist.[13] In 2005, Young Jeezy was featured in several popular hip-hop songs including Gucci Mane's "Icy"[14] and Boyz N Da Hood's "Dem Niggaz". In 2006, he was featured in Christina Milian's single "Say I". Jeezy's second major label album is The Inspiration, which features Project Pat, T.I., Keyshia Cole, Three 6 Mafia, R. Kelly, Bloodraw and Slick Pulla. The album's first single "I Luv It" has peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Jeezy's second highest single to date. The second single is "Bury Me a G". The 3rd single is the club banger "Go Getta" which features R. Kelly. It has already peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks, #11 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks and #18 on the Billboard Hot 100. Young Jeezy "I am the Street Dream" tour is set to kick off March 07'. He also appeared as himself in the hip-hop fighting themed game Def Jam: Icon that can be added to the player's record label.
Young Jeezy will appear on BET's Access Granted for his song "Dreamin" with Keyshia Cole on May 2 at 7:30PM
Feud
Young Jeezy partially wrote and performed on Gucci Mane's hit single, "Icy". Supposedly, Jeezy was never paid properly for his services. Those in Gucci Mane's camp have suggested that gang members from the Mechanisville area attacked Gucci Mane to defend Young Jeezy's honor.[15] Young Jeezy put out a track called "Stay Strapped" dissing Gucci Mane to the beat of T.I.'s song "A.S.A.P." Young Jeezy took a shot at Mane on the track, rapping "even his own momma know, Radric Davis a bitch". In a recent Cutmaster C mixtape, The Hood News Page 3: Jay-Z Boycotts Cristal, Mane disses Jeezy along with Jay Z in his track, "745". Jeezy also addresses Mane in the same mixtape, in the track "Break It Down", featuring Cmillz. Recently, Jeezy has become involved in a beef with his former BMF affiliate Bleu Da Vinci after Bleu dissed him on the song, 'Star in The Hood'.
In Jeezy's new video for the single, Go Getta, he can be seen wearing shoes with 'Gucci' on the bottom, visible when he rests his feet on the table. Apart from showing off his expensive clothing, it is a diss toward Gucci Mane as in the next scene, we see a close up of Jeezy walking, with the word 'Gucci' obviously being walked on. He also lists off people and record labels that owe him in Bury Me A G. Also dissing his former affiliate Bleu Da vinci as "what type of real nigga names himself after a bag, nigga yous a hoe a louis vuitton fag" in Streets On Lock.
In December of 2006, Young Jeezy appeared on Moni Luv's radio show. The two started arguing about how Hip Hop was dying and Young Jeezy dissed Nas.
Trivia
- Young Jeezy has a 10 year old son who is often mentioned in his lyrics, along with his son's mother, who is not on good terms with Jeezy.
- Young Jeezy was arrested after an alleged shootout involving some of his friends in Miami Beach, Florida on Sunday, March 12 2006. He was charged with two counts of carrying a concealed firearm without a permit, however, he was acquitted over lack of evidence.[16]
- He has made good friendship among many artists including Cam'ron,Fabolous, Akon, Bun B,Young Buck, Ludacris, The Game, & T.I. who considers Jeezy as his brother, as he says in the song "I'm Talkin' to You". Young Buck made a cameo appearance in Jeezy's "Go Getta". In return, Young Jeezy made a cameo appearance in Buck's "Get Buck".
- Though many people believed he is related to fellow rapper Yung Joc, he cleared the rumor up by telling the media that he is not related to the fellow Atlanta rapper, though they are friends. Both rappers are known for their slow, southern flow.[17]
- He calls himself the 'Snowman' as reference to his early days as a cocaine dealer alongside his lieutenants Ron and Jebron. (His most trusted allies and friends.)
- After Hurricane Katrina, Young Jeezy opened his house to the victims in an effort to help them have a place to stay.[18]
- It was rumored the he was dating Keyshia Cole, but he publicly dismissed this.
Discography
Studio Albums
Album cover | Album information |
---|---|
Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101
| |
The Inspiration
|
Singles
Year | Song | U.S. Hot 100 | U.S. R&B | U.S. Rap | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | "And Then What" (featuring Mannie Fresh) | 67 | 14 | 13 | Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 |
2005 | "Soul Survivor" (featuring Akon) | 4 | 1 | 1 | Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 |
2005 | "Go Crazy (Remix)" (featuring Jay-Z) | - | 22 | 22 | Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 |
2006 | "My Hood" | 77 | 30 | 19 | Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 |
2006 | "Trap Star" | - | 50 | - | Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 |
2006 | "Trap or Die" (featuring Bun B) | - | 77 | 77 | Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 |
2006 | "I Luv It" | 14 | 13 | 7 | The Inspiration |
2006 | "Bury Me a G" | - | - | - | The Inspiration |
2007 | "Go Getta" (featuring R. Kelly) | 18 | 9 | 3 | The Inspiration |
2007 | "Dreamin'" (featuring Keyshia Cole) | - | - | - | The Inspiration |
Featured Singles
Year | Song | U.S. Hot 100 | U.S. R&B | U.S. Rap | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | "Icy" (Gucci Mane featuring Young Jeezy) | - | 46 | 23 | Trap House |
2004 | "Make It Work for You" (Juelz Santana featuring Lil Wayne & Young Jeezy) | - | - | - | What the Game's Been Missing! |
2005 | "Diamonds (Remix)" (Slim Thug featuring Young Jeezy, Killa Kyleon, & Slick Pulla) | - | 90 | 32 | Already Platinum |
2005 | "Say I" (Christina Milian featuring Young Jeezy) | 21 | 13 | - | So Amazing |
2005 | "Get Throwed" (Bun B featuring Pimp C, Z-Ro, Young Jeezy, & Jay-Z) | - | 49 | 24 | Trill |
2006 | "Grew Up A Screw Up" (Ludacris featuring Young Jeezy) | - | - | - | Got Mine, Get Yours |
2006 | "Grey Goose (Remix)" (Allstar Cashville Prince featuring T.I. and Young Jeezy) | - | - | - | Release Therapy |
2006 | "Top Back (Remix)" (T.I. featuring Young Jeezy, Young Dro, Big Kuntry King, & BG) | 29 | 13 | 8 | Grand Hustle Presents: In Da Streetz Volume 4 |
2007 | "Diamonds" (Fabolous featuring Young Jeezy) | 83 | - | - | From Nothin To Somethin |
2007 | "Takin' Pictures" (DJ Drama featuring T.I., Young Jeezy, Willie Da Kidd, Jim Jones, Rick Ross, & Young Buck) | TBR | TBR | TBR | Gangsta Grillz: The Album |
Videos
- Over Here/Air Forces - (featuring Bun B)
- Trap Or Die - (featuring Bun B)
- Make It Work for You - Juelz Santana (featuring Lil Wayne & Young Jeezy)
- Dem Boyz - (With Boyz N Da Hood)
- Felonies - (With Boyz N Da Hood)
- And Then What - (featuring Mannie Fresh)
- Soul Suvivor - (featuring Akon)
- My Hood
- TrapStar/Go Crazy
- Say I - Christina Milian (featuring Young Jeezy)
- Grew Up A Screw Up - Ludacris (featuring Young Jeezy)
- I Luv It
- Bury Me A G
- Top Back (Remix) - T.I. (featuring Young Dro, Big Kuntry, B.G., & Young Jeezy)
- Go Getta - (featuring R. Kelly)
- Diamonds - Fabolous (featuring Young Jeezy)
- Feds Takin Pictures DJ Drama (Feat. Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Jim Jones, Young Buck & Willie Da Kidd)
References
- ^ Young Jeezy mentions his birthday in his new single "Dreamin"
- ^ XXL Magazine. "Jeezy wants street cred".
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