S. Samuel
Southern rapper Young Jeezy has re-entered into the hip-hop spotlight by teaming up with teen sensation Justin Bieber for an alleged upcoming collaboration.
While details are still surfacing, both artists were photographed in a Los Angeles studio a few days ago.
Vulture has previously pointed out how Young Jeezy — whose next album, Thug Motivation 103, is in a state of perma-delay — had his position of reigning gruff-but-charismatic-drug-dealer-rapper usurped by Rick Ross. What can Jeezy do to remedy the situation? Either drop 103 to universal critical and commercial acclaim — or do a song with the possibly omnipotent Justin Bieber. Looks like he’s going the latter route: In a grand coup for his career, Da Snowman was photographed in an L.A. studio with a pre-haircut JB over the weekend, presumably while working on a track. Okay, Jeezy’s back, everyone; go about your business. (NY Mag)
Prior to getting pushed back indefinitely, Jeezy’s long-delayed Thug Motivation 103 album was set to drop last December.
Young Jeezy has had a tough time motivating the thugs this year. The third installment of his Thug Motivation series, TM103, has been facing delays ever since last year, but reps for Def Jam have confirmed with XXLMag.com that the disc will finally hit shelves on December 14. The Atlanta-based rapper already dropped several singles from the album–“Jizzle,” “All White Everything” featuring Yo Gotti and “Lose My Mind” featuring Plies–to little fan fare. (XXL Mag)
In a 2010 GQ Magazine feature, Jeezy revealed the new work ethics he explored while working on the LP.
The album is like a hip-hop version of the Stones‘ Exile on Main St or Dylan‘s Basement Tapes: To make it, Jeezy went completely off the grid, descending in early 2010 into the basement studio in producer Shawty Redd‘s south Atlanta home. He didn’t come out for three months. The vibe was different from what the Stones had in the South of France, however. Redd had recently returned home from jail on a murder charge, posting $200,000 in bail. (A trial date is still pending.) Jeezy begins the story of the sessions like this: “I had just got off tour with Jay-Z when Shawty got home. I went to his crib, we chopped it up, and finally I said, ‘I’m gonna go home and grab my stuff.’ Shawty was like, ‘Grab what stuff?’ I came back with all my clothes and sh*t and moved in.” Jeezy hung a flat-screen in his new bedroom and even stocked the cupboard with his favorite cereal, Cinnamon Toast Crunch. (GQ Magazine)
Producer Drumma Boy previously talked about working on Jeezy’s new album.
“With Jeezy, it’s funny because when it comes to the music, I already know what he wants,” Drumma said in an interview. “We’ve never actually worked in the studio together. The first time I ever heard ‘Put On’ was on the radio. [Laughs] Just the other day, he called me as soon as I woke up. First call of the day. He was like, ‘Where you at? I need to get some more music.’ I’ll give him the intersection I’m at and he’ll just ride down right then, pick up a beat CD and keep it moving. It’s like a real dope deal. I really got crack! [Laughs] All our joints come that way. Even with [the album’s street single] ‘Lose My Mind,’ I didn’t hear that until we mixed it. So I can’t tell you exactly what I’ve got on there yet, but in addition to “Lose My Mind,” I’m gonna have two of three other joints on the album.” (VIBE)
Check out some past Young Jeezy footage down below:
