Since the early 2000’s, Jeezy’s eleven studio albums, and twice
as many mixtapes, have been the soundtrack to the streets in
Southern Hip-Hop. As one of the pioneers of “Trap Music,” Da
Snowman went from a trapper-turned-rapper to a Hip-Hop
icon. From his Trap or Die tapes to his Thug Motivation series,
Jeezy has organically resonated with Hip-Hop fans across the
global. As an ode to the man who motivated thugs to “smoke
purp by the pound, Goose by the fifth/Re-up on the 1st and
again on the 5th,” OZONE takes a look back at the album releases
and standout mixtapes in Jeezy’s illustrious career.
44 // OZONE MAG
Lil J – Thuggin’ Under The Influence
(T.U.I.) (2001)
As legend has it, the man born Jay
Jenkins began his music career as a CEO.
But when the artists on his label didn’t
pan out, he jumped into the booth
himself, and released his independent
debut album, Thuggin’ Under The Influence
(T.U.I.), under the moniker Lil’ J. The
18-track album featured a guest appearance
by Lil Jon, and Lil’ J flashed enough
potential to give a career behind the mic
a go.
Lil’ J – Come Shop wit Me
(2003)
Two years later, Lil’ J returned with his
second album, Come Shop with Me.
The independent double disc featured
Pastor Troy, Bonecrusher, Lil Jon, and reportedly
sold an estimated 50,000 copies.
Not bad for a rapper who stepped
in the booth for the first time just two
years prior.
Young Jeezy – Tha Streets Iz
Watchin (2004)
By 2004, the rapper once known as Lil’
J switched his moniker to Young Jeezy,
and reappeared with an entire machine
behind him. By this time, Jeezy had
joined the rap group Boyz n Da Hood,
who signed a deal with Bad Boy Entertainment.
Young Jeezy subsequently
signed a solo deal with Def Jam Recordings,
and flooded the streets with the DJ Drama hosted mixtape, Tha Streets
Iz Watchin. The mixtape featured instant classics like “Over Here” with Bun
B, the club banger “Air Forces” and Boyz n da Hood’s lead single “Dem Boyz.”
The mixtape was a clear message that Young Jeezy was a bonafide trap
star.
Young Jeezy – Trap or Die
(2005)
In 2005, Jeezy wasted no time announcing
2005 would be his year. Just six
months after Tha Streetz Iz Watchin, “The
Trapper of the Year” double backed with
his second DJ Drama-hosted mixtape,
setting the streets on fire with Trap
or Die. Trap or Die, arguably the best
mixtape of 2005, was monumental in
Jeezy’s movement. Standouts like “Get
Ya Mind Right,” “Do Da Damn Thing”
featuring Fabolous and Jeezy’s major
label lead-single “And Then What” featuring Mannie Fresh, blared out of
every strip club, nightclub and Hip-Hop radio station from Atlanta to Miami.
Jeezy was setup to win, and the whole city of Atlanta was behind him.
Music Reviews
By Randy Roper