A sequence of events juggled the release dates for
Boyz N da Hood's first album (issued on Bad Boy) and
Young Jeezy's own widely distributed breakout (issued on Def Jam).
Boyz N da Hood hit the Top Five the week it was released, and
Young Jeezy -- the group's most visible member -- wound up releasing
Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 only a month later. His prominence has come hard and fast (and not without a fair share of controversy) but in truth, he has been active in the underground since the mid-'90s. More a businessman than a traditional MC, his boasts are either deliberately pronounced or mush-mouthed and are often stamped with a druggy "Aaaayy!" Far from the South's best MC, he nonetheless makes up for it with his storytelling ability and obvious desire to inspire hard work, even if the "million dollar dreams" are followed by "federal nightmares." His mentality is almost permanently stuck on monetary gain, whether he's talking about moving "white" (his nickname is "Snowman") or doing whatever is necessary to keep up appearances. A definite product of the South, it's apparent throughout
Let's Get It that his claim of being raised by the group
UGK and the label No Limit is no joke. Like
Boyz N da Hood, the album was made as if crunk never happened. Partial list of benefactors:
Mannie Fresh,
Trick Daddy,
Young Buck,
Bun B,
Akon,
Shawty Redd,
Mister Collipark, and
Jazze Pha. [A clean version of the album was also released.] ~ Andy Kellman