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Young Jeezy’s album release concert
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The commanding Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy released a new album Tuesday, and to celebrate the next night he held an invitation-only concert at the Tabernacle featuring ice sculptures and Lamborghinis. The album is called “The Inspiration,” and if showpieces like those don’t inspire you to quit your job and start rapping, it’s hard to imagine what would.
Photos from the Tabernacle show and rehearsal
The show only ran for an hour — from 11 p.m. to midnight — but Jeezy accomplished a lot in a short amount of time. He played most of the best songs from his new album, revisited some cuts from his amazing 2005 record “Thug Motivation,” and held an intermission fashion show to promote his 8732 clothing line.
Although he’s not as dapper as fellow clothing entrepreneurs Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jay-Z, Jeezy is a striking man — thick in the chest, and with a swagger in his step — and it makes a surprising amount of sense that he’d find a business outlet through which to sell a look.
Anyway, back to the music. For most of the show, Jeezy had a full band behind him — a sax, a trumpet, guitar, bass drums, keyboards, the works. After the intermission, he rapped to a backing track. Both formats suited him fine. Although he had a few collaborators drop in, including the superproducer Timbaland, Jeezy was the clear star.
He had plenty of fresh material to choose from, including an existing hit from the new album (“I Luv It”), potential hits from the new album (“Go Getta” and “Dreamin’”) and some other new songs (like “Bury Me A G” and the Timbaland song “3 A.M.”) that have less radio potential but pack more punch.
In the context of this particular concert, the fashion show intermission did seem out of place — most rap do not set aside time for a stream of men to parade down a catwalk in polo shirts and jackets. But Jeezy picked things right back up afterwards, closing the show with “I Luv It” and, before that, the aptly named “Bottom of the Map,” a song that represents Jeezy’s local roots.
Before leaving the stage, Jeezy took a dig at his labelmate Nas, whose forthcoming album is called “Hip Hop Is Dead.” It’s not dead, Jeezy said, it just lives in the South.
That’s true, thanks in part to Jeezy himself.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Pop Music
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By rika
December 14, 2006 9:49 AM | Link to this
Listed along with “TI”, and “Lil Wayne” Jezzy is one of the best rapper from down south and “I Luv It”.
By B. Green
December 14, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this
* Hhhhheeeyyyyyyyy!!! :) *
Several hip hop heads told me that this CD wasn’t as good as his initial one. DDDaaaaaaaammmmm!!!!! They were wrong!! Jeezy is exploring new territory and “I LOVE IT”! The King of One-Liners is fun and it is great to hear him expand his universe a bit more with his sophomore effort. The Shawty Red cuts, of course, are banging as usual. I like the DJ Toomp and especially the Timbo track as well. So, should you cop this CD? Wellm, unless you’re only interested in classic lyricism I say a resounding CCHhhhhheeeaahhhh! There is indeed a place in rap music for CDs like this.
GENupe9@yahoo.com
By David
December 14, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this
I don’t know if im as infatuated witht he CD as these two ..fans..are. The first half of the album is banging, but then I seem to want to hit the next track button because it starts to get repetitive. Overall, the album is good, but I don’t think it is better than his previous album.
He is one of the best rappers (in the south) along with T.I. right now. His first album did 2…But, going to be hard to do 3..or even 2 again.
By killa
December 14, 2006 2:08 PM | Link to this
the album is cool. could be better. like most rappers nowadays, the effort to make GOOD music doesn’t exist. d*mn, i miss the old school. i don’t see how def jam could have two rappers that rap about the same thing and almost deliver their lyrics the same (Jeezy and Rick Ross). i just want to let y’all know to open your eyes and ears to some other forms of rap. change the game.
KILLA
By Wordchaser
December 14, 2006 4:21 PM | Link to this
Jezzy is an “inspiration” not to listen toSouthern Hip Hop. It has been taken over with simple minded topics. Will the Real Southern MC’s return to the stage. IE Goodie Mob, Ceelo, Scarface….