Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101

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 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, ColliPark, Jazze Pha. – Andy Kellman