#TBT: Young Jeezy

Young Jeezy has a new album out next month, and we're getting excited over here. The Atlanta rapper is entering legendary status after ten+ years of pushing influential rap music. The Snowman is coming back, but first we're going to throw it back.

With over five million records sold, Young Jeezy has no shortage of hot records. His Def Jam debut, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101, can be seen as a pinnacle for southern rap music, with cuts like "Trap Star," "Go Crazy," and "Soul Survivor" taking over the airwaves for lengthy periods of time. 

The next year Jeezy followed the success of that album with The Inspiration, and after that it was The Recession. These first three Def Jam releases are what we're going to focus on today for this week's TBT.

While Jeezy might be best known for his trap-leaning sound, he crushed the more hip-hoppity offerings on Let's Get It as well. Alongside Jay Z, "Go Crazy" still makes people do just that.

"These are more than words, this is more than rap, this is the streets and I am the trap...Standing ovation"

"Trap Star" could have been the mainstream's big introduction to the word trap, as it relates to the music and struggle. Over a funky beat, Jeezy proved why he's one of the most exciting rappers in the game.

Is this considered classic rap music by this point? We vote yes. 

This was The Inspiration's "Soul Survivor." From the way R. Kelly introduces the duo, to the catchy hook and bouncy tempo, "Go Getta" was another massive hit in Jeezy's arsenal.  

The synth-driven beat was a huge sound for the 2005-2010 era of rap, with the likes of Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy being two of the game's biggest names and proprietors of the style. "I Luv It," which was tackled by Wayne on Da Drought 3, is a time capsule for this style and era.

On the low, Young Jeezy has some of the best introductions in rap history. Track one always goes so hard, setting the mood for what is usually a great project. "Hypnotize" was a statement track that prefaced The Inspiration. 

This song still make us feel like we're warming up for the championship game though.

The lavish lifestyle, as told by Jeezy. 

Young Jeezy isn't exactly the kind of candidate you would expect to make the politically-charged single of the year. Nas maybe, but Jeezy, not so much. Anyways, he annihilated those expectations with "My President," the celebration cut for President Obama.