Young Jeezy
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Young Jeezy (born Jay Jenkins on October 12, 1977) is a popular American rapper. Jenkins was born in Columbia, South Carolina, but as a toddler moved to Hawkinsville, Georgia and grew up in Macon, Georgia and now resides in Atlanta.[MTV Interview (undated)] URL accessed on May 15,2006 Formerly signed to Bad Boy Records a member of the hip-hop quartet Boyz N Da Hood, he is now signed as a solo artist to Def Jam Records.
Snowman
Young Jeezy is often referred to (by himself and others) as the "Snowman". Widely believed to be a reference to his previous occupation as a cocaine dealer, Jeezy states that the Snowman is just a nickname.Snowman T-Shirts
Young Jeezy has produced a popular line of "Snowman" t-shirts. These shirts depict a very simple snowman, with a menacing look. Due to their drug connotation, several high schools have banned these shirts [Article about 'Snowman' tees].
In a September 2005 interview with MTV, Jeezy explained that the Snowman "...symbolizes a young hustler. If a cat goes and gets fresh, hits the club or goes to an event and he has a Snowman shirt on, it's almost like a white tee... Everybody can't afford the Gucci and everything. It's the next best thing, the Snowman... Snowman is a cool dude. There's a Snowman in every 'hood, several Snowmen in the 'hood. You gotta be that dude to look up to with the car and the boy. Whatever you do, be the best at it, because that's what the Snowman is going to do."[MTV news article about the Snowman Tee-Shirts]
Young Jeezy
Black Mafia Family
Young Jeezy has been associated with a crew of criminal associates known as The Black Mafia Family that resides in Detroit, Michigan, Montréal,Québec and Atlanta, Georgia. The Black Mafia Family is currently under investigation by the FBI special task force for organized crime and their association with the Crips,the pink mafia gang. Jeezy maintains his association with the group but is not under direct investigation.Music
In interviews and on several records, Young Jeezy has affirmed his resistance to commercialism in his music. Maintaining his street credibility, according to Jeezy, is of the utmost concern to him as an artist.#redirectBoyz 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's major-label debut solo album, , was released on July 26, 2005 and debuted at #2, selling 172,000 copies in its first week.#redirect The release was under Def Jam, however, and not on Bad Boy Entertainment.
Young Jeezy has been featured in several popular 2005 hip-hop songs including And Then What (featuring Mannie Fresh), Soul Survivor (featuring Akon), Gucci Mane's So Icy, Boyz N Da Hood's Dem Boyz and Christina Milian's new single Say I.
In 2005, Young Jeezy recorded a remix of "Go Crazy" with artists Jay-Z and Fat Joe. The success of this song skyrocketed Young Jeezy to nation-wide status. Jeezy is currently planning to record Best of Both Hoods, a mixtape with Harlem rapper Juelz Santana.
Young Jeezy has several recognizable phrases, such as a long, drawn-out "That's Riiiight!!!," "Ay," "Ha-haaaa," "Daammnnn," "Yup," "Let's get it!," "Cheee-ahhh!," and "Yeeeeaaah."
Young Jeezy is known for his unusual work-ethic and deep appreciation for a hard day's work. This is represented in several of his songs and interviews.
Young Jeezy worked with producer Shwaty Redd on . Young Jeezy has also colaborated with artists such as T.I. and Juelz Santana. Young Jeezy has his own record label called Corporate Thugz Entertainment (CTE). Those signed include Young Jeezy, Slick Pulla, Lil Will, Bloodraw and a group by the name of U.S.D.A.
Discography
Albums
- 2005: #2 US (Certified: Platinum)
- 2006: (October 2006)
Mixtapes
- Gangsta Grillz: Streets Iz Watchin
- Hustle & Snow (w/ T.I.)
- Gangsta Grillz: Trap or Die
- Paid in Full (w/ T.I.)
- Self Motivation
- Best of Both Hoods (w/ Juelz Santana)
- Gangsta Grillz: Can't Ban The Snowman
- Strait Outta A-Town (w/ Boyz N Da Hood)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US R&B/Hip-Hop | US Rap | UK Singles Chart | |||
| 2005 | And Then What (feat. Mannie Fresh) | #67 | #14 | #13 | - | Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 |
| 2005 | ''Soul Survivor' (feat. Akon) | #4 (2x Platinum) | #1 (4 weeks) | #1 (3 weeks) | #16 | Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 |
| 2005 | Go Crazy (Remix) (feat. Jay-Z) | - | #22 | #22 | - | Go Crazy [Single] |
| 2005 | Trap or Die (feat. Bun B) | - | #77 | - | - | Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 |
| 2005 | My Hood | #77 | #30 | #19 | - | Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 |
| 2005 | Trap Star | - | #51 | - | - | Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 |
| 2006 | Say I (Christina Milian ft. Young Jeezy) | #21 | #13 | - | #4 | So Amazin' |
| 2006 | Ya Dig | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | Can't Ban the Snowman (Mixtape) |
| 2006 | I Do This | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | |
External links
References
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