Young Jeezy once said he is not a rapper, but rather a “motivational speaker.” Frankly, the Atlanta-based “trap artist,” whose tales of slinging coke have earned him the nickname “The Snowman” and spawned a line of controversial “Snowman” T-shirts, does not deserve to be referred to as a rapper. Although Young Jeezy’s sophomore album The Inspiration contains several head-nodding tracks, his rhymes and flow are unimpressive and fail to inspire.
Jeezy’s songs are saturated by his personality. His trademark ad-libs such as “yeaaaaaaah” are fan favorites, and his best asset is his charisma. However, Jeezy’s lyrics are shallow and only scratch the surface in describing the perils of street life. This is most evident by songs such as “Hypnotize.” One expects the song to be more powerful than it actually is because of an eerily screwed-and-chopped chorus, but the verses contain no noteworthy lines.
Much of the production on The Inspiration utilizes rapid drum patterns and looming synthesizers, a practice that allows Jeezy to avoid any actual rhyming – he merely talks instead. For example, on “U Know What It Is,” Jeezy settles for shouting his cliché lines. He clearly has passion for his music, but fails to execute any of his songs properly and has absolutely none of the fundamental skills necessary to be an emcee.
If Young Jeezy has so many musical faults, why is he so respected within the rap industry? Jeezy answers this question himself in the song “Streets on Lock”: “I got the streets on lock, Atlanta on my back/ I do it for the hood, got a problem with that?”
In a nutshell, Young Jeezy embodies the “soul survivor” whom people admire: A rebel who prospered against the odds. And the fact that he remains connected with the hoods in Atlanta solidifies his street cred, even though he lacks any rhyming ability.
And there are a few quality songs on The Inspiration: Although the first single, “I Luv It” sounds nearly identical to “Trap Star,” an earlier Jeezy hit, it is still a banger nonetheless.
Jeezy also shows why he is a ghetto superstar on “Bury Me a G,” the best track on the album. The beautifully melancholy beat was produced by North Carolina-coalition J.U.S.T.I.C.E. league, who proudly claims the critically acclaimed producer 9th Wonder as a member. On “Bury Me a G,” Jeezy graphically describes getting shot and thoughtfully accounts his near-death experience. He raps heartfelt lines such as “I should have hugged my son, should have kissed my mother/ Spent time with her and showed her I love her.”
Young Jeezy may actually be at his best when performing more sensitive songs because his voice can convey a wide range of emotions. On “Dreamin’,” another standout track, Young Jeezy exhibits the pain he experiences due to a roller coaster relationship, his gratitude to a loyal friend and his regret for past actions. And “Dreamin'” contains one of the best lines on The Inspiration: “I’m a predator, I prey/pray everyday.”
But after a while, The Inspiration became incredibly tiring to listen to. Despite a few songs that make an impact, The Inspiration fails to uplift and excite. Though this album is lackluster, Young Jeezy will remain an influential member of hip-hop culture for the one reason he so eloquently states: “I keep it gangsta, and they love that shit.”
Contact reporter Alex Rush at
diversions@dbk.umd.edu.
