UB Anniversary ReVisit: The Debut of Jeezy | Rollout UB Interview

Over the next few months, we’ll be spotlighting features from our e-zines from the last 25 years. T M H Entertainment, T M Hxone and Urban Bridgez.

As the longest running website for R&B online, since 1999 – We’ve been able to conduct some amazing interviews with R&B Royalty, as well Hip Hop Legends.

Born into poverty and raised in a small town in the middle of South Georgia’s so-called “Black belt,” Jeezy realized at an early age that nothing was going to come easy, there were no handouts headed his way, and if he ever wanted anything in life, he was going to have to get out there and get it on his own. So that’s what he did.

Jeezy, born Jay Jenkins, originally planned to be a businessman instead of an MC. Before he signed with Def Jam in 2004, he had already built a brand: Two mixtapes and his independently released 2003 album “Come With Me,” made him a celebrity at home in Atlanta.

Jeezy began his music career in 2001 as Lil J with the release of “Thuggin’ Under the Influence (T.U.I.).” In total, Jeezy has released eleven studio albums, as well as numerous successful singles, including the top ten hit “Soul Survivor,” featuring Akon, and the top 40 hits “I Luv It,” and “Put On” featuring Kanye West.

Along with his own singles, Jeezy has also been featured on numerous hip hop and R&B hit singles, including “Say I” by Christina Milian, “I’m So Paid” by Akon, “Hard” by Rihanna and “Love in This Club” by Usher, the latter of which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Outside of his solo career, Jeezy was also the de facto leader of the southern hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America (U.S.D.A), and a former member of the Bad Boy Records‘ rap group Boyz n da Hood.

In 2005, JDot. spoke to at the time Young Jeezy for UB, about his upcoming debut album “Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101.” Jeezy speaks on where his name came from, signing to Def Jam and his influences.

Jeezy also told UB at the time, his favorite lyricists and much more!

UrbanBridgez.com: Tell me a lil bit about Young Jeezy and where the name came from?
Jeezy: The name actually came up from the hood. When I was younger all the lil’ kats in the hood used to always call me Jeezy. I was the youngest one in the hood who used to hang out with all the older kats. So they would always call me young. And then when I started rapping they just put the shit together. A promoter kinda put the name together for me about 8 years ago because I wasn’t really using a name back then. So when it came time for me to perform he was like “Young Jeezy.”

UrbanBridgez.com: So how old are you now?
Jeezy: I’m 24 now.

UrbanBridgez.com: So tell me about your upcoming album and why you think everyone needs to pick it up?
Jeezy: I mean basically I get into the streets, the hustling, and being an entrepreneur. That’s what I talk about on the album. If you’re not really into that then the album might not be for you. So it might not be for everyone, but if you’re trying to get motivated and you need that something to get through your day, then you will definitely want to pick the album up. I feel the same pain that a lot of people on the streets feel everyday.

UrbanBridgez.com: Talk to me about your new track called “Over Here.” Why was this song released?
Jeezy: Right now it’s the introductory song. Since the DJ’s fuck with me, they needed something to play, I recorded that track. Now they are playin it in the clubs a lot.

UrbanBridgez.com: Are there any other tracks on the album that you consider your favorites?
Jeezy: To be honest with you dawg a lot of that shit is my favorite because it’s all me. It’s a couple of songs that are being chosen as singles that I’m not too keen on, but I guess it’s all good because we gotta sell records. So basically I’m doing the 50 Cent thing, but it’s a down South thing ya feel me?

UrbanBridgez.com: Alright, definitely. So what part of the South are you from?
Jeezy: I’m from GA homie. I’m down with the best. I don’t give a particular part of the South because I been all through Georgia, so I just tell people I’m a Georgia nigga.

UrbanBridgez.com: Speaking of that whole movement, how do you feel about the South just dominating radio, and dominating music right now?
Jeezy: I feel like it’s a good thing because it’s a chance for us to really be heard. A lot of times people thought kats from the South couldn’t rap. I take it very seriously because I feel like it’s the best thing that could happen because everyone from the South has the chance to put out there what we’ve been doing for a minute.

UrbanBridgez.com: Your “Trap or Die” Mix Tape and DVD’s have sold over 250,000 CD’s and 700 DVD’s sold. How does that feel?
Jeezy: I mean it feels good because it’s like people are feelin my pain through mix-tapes and I haven’t even dropped an album yet. I’m still that same kat when you were coming to see me at my local shows. It’s good because it shows that people are messing with me by supporting me like that.

UrbanBridgez.com: To have over 1,000 fans show up to an in-store for a new artist like you is a great feat. What is your response to such great feedback form the public?
Jeezy: For a nigga who has no video and no promo I feel like that’s good. That was for a mix-tape. I did a release party and I had more people there than some established artists do.

UrbanBridgez.com: Talk to me about being signed to Def Jam. How is it so far especially with the take over from Jay Z, the new CEO at Def Jam Records?
Jeezy: To be honest with you dawg, when I get up in the morning I don’t even think Def Jam. I think Corporate Thugs Entertainment. I just move and let them follow and it’s like they ain’t in the streets but I’m in the streets everyday. I think the deal with Jay is good, but I gotta prove myself to him too. I gotta show and prove to him too and I have to get on my grind. No matter how they feel, I’m making a difference out here. You put me at a venue and niggas are gonna show up to see me.

UrbanBridgez.com: Who are some of the artists who have definitely influenced your style and which one of these artists do you look up to for inspiration?
Jeezy: I fuck with my nigga Bun B from UGK. That’s my nigga. I mess with Trick and I’ve always been a big fan of his. Jay Z, most definitely. I don’t really mess with a lot of rap niggas because a lot of them are not who they say they are. I fuck with them Dip Set niggaz, I’m feelin that movement. I also fuck with Fabolous. He was there when I was on the grind and tryin to come up.

UrbanBridgez.com: Do you have any upcoming collaboration with any artists?
Jeezy: I got some shit coming out with Fabolous, Trick, Bun B and different people like that who I mess with.

UrbanBridgez.com: Let’s get personal. How do you feel about the Michael Jackson case?
Jeezy: I mean personally, I don’t really get into that. I wasn’t there so I don’t know what happened. I mean, everybody is innocent until proven guilty. At the same time, if he did the shit then he’s wrong and he needs to punished. But if he didn’t just leave the man alone. No doubt.

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s your take on Lil’ Kim? I know she’s not signed to Def Jam, but she definitely pioneered some things for female rappers. What’s your take on her situation?
Jeezy: I mean I heard about the shit and people gotta do what they gotta do to survive and sometime you get caught up in the shit. I wish her the best. You don’t wanna see nobody in no box. I don’t wish to see nobody messed up. Shit is real.

UrbanBridgez.com: Give me your 3 top lyricists:
Jeezy: I would definitely say Bun B, Fab & Lil’ Wayne.

UrbanBridgez.com: Who are 3 females in the entertainment business that you would love to get with right now?
Jeezy: You mean get with as far as kickin it?

UrbanBridgez.com: Yeah.
Jeezy: Awwh shit, that’s a good question yo. I mean on some real shit, I’m a real nigga and I don’t really fuck with industry chicks cause they have too much going on. I see em’ now but I’ve always been a cool nigga since day one so a lot of that don’t phase me. To deal with someone in the industry is a whole lot of ugly stress.

UrbanBridgez.com: That’s definitely real talk right there.
Jeezy: No doubt.

UrbanBridgez.com: If you were asked 5 years from now to pick an artist to do a Best of Both Worlds album with, who would you choose?
Jeezy: Hmmm. That’s another good question. Damn, that’s a good one. I gotta think. I would say definitely that nigga Camron and Jim Jones. I fuck with them niggas. Their whole swagger and everything is wassup.

UrbanBridgez.com: Any last words for your fans?
Jeezy: Trap or Die is in stores right now. Let’s get this on the way, if you ain’t with it don’t fuck with me. If you are, let’s get it started.