At times I just want to sit back and relax, listening to some slow hood-esque music. This is one of the albums I am going to put on. This is Young Jeezy’s major-label debut, “Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101”. Prior to this major-label debut, he released two independent albums since 2001. He then got taken under the wing of Puff Daddy, who actually thinks he still got street cred. He was part of the rap quartet Boyz N Da Hood. He shortly left that group to release this album.
The length of the album is about seventy-five minutes and it is littered with Jeezy’s slow raspy rapping. It usually has a slow “Yeaaaah” or an “Ayeeee!” and even a “Thaaats Riiight” accompanying his flow. He actually pulls out the slow flow is pretty good most of the time. His lyricism is enough to label him above average lyricist. His lyrics are usually about the usual stuff; money, drugs, alittle about girls, drugs, bling, and drugs. They don’t call him the snowman for nothing. The instrumentals are mainly focused on the synths and bass thumps which actually give some of the tracks an epic feeling. The guest appearances include; Mannie Fresh, Jay-Z, Trick Daddy, Young Buck, T.I., Lil Scrappy, Akon, and a few others.
The album opens with a piano melody and Jeezy going with a Soft “heeey”. Once the verse starts, Young Jeezy is already in the kitchen working two pots. The title track (also opening track) has a stop and go motion, he says his verse then everything goes soft, with audio from a microwave in the background further explain why he is dubbed the snow man. Afterwards, “Standing Ovation” starts up with a synth-based instrumentals and the sound of an audience clapping while throughout the track Jeezy claims he is the trap. The tracks leading up to “And then What” is strong, honestly who didn’t like this track. It utilizes the classic stomp, stomp, clap rhythm at parts, with a pretty catchy chorus.
“Trap Star” is a trumpet based song, and is one of the strongest tracks on the album. The instrumental on this track is great; it has an uplifting type atmosphere to it that you can hum to, it also induces slow head bobbing. The next track “Bang” features T.I. and Lil Scrappy which also has a nice nicely produced military-esque beat to it. “Air Forces” closes the album. It is basically stating that you couldn’t walk a mile in his Air forces. The beat changes from a keyboard to a scrunchy type section, then the beat drops for the chorus and a heavy synth picks up leaving you in an eerie place. While the track is good on its own, it isn’t that worthy of an album closer.
The main flaw of this album is that it is seventy-five minute long with nineteen tracks. If he would have cut out the five-six filler tracks, it would have made a bigger impact. Another flaw with the album is the use of over dubbing. Almost every 2 lines he has to throw in a “yeeeaah” or something else to that effect making the album seem very polished and less raw. Other than that, this is a great listen. The beats are very well produced and Jeezy’s flow is unique compared to a lot of the other MCs out there.
Recommendees:
Trap Star
Let’s get it: Thug Movtivation 101
Standing Ovation
Bang
Trap Or Die
Less Stellar Tracks:
My Hood
Last of a Dying Breed
Tear It Up
That’s How ya Feel
Don’t Get Caught
