Young Jeezy - The Inspiration: Album Review
Young Jeezy, The Inspiration (Def Jam, 2006)
Last year Young Jeezy's solo major label debut Thug Motivation 101 became a sort of runaway smash due in part to his hit collaboration with Akon. Since then he's been labeled the new King of New York by celebrity token black guy A&R Sickamore and had his steez ripped off wholesale by label mate Rick Rawls. Suffice it to say he's kind of a big deal. Nullus?
HYPNOTIZE
A rap song called "Hypnotize." How creative. This sounds like every other Young Jeezy song you ever heard, except slowed down quite a bit.
STILL ON IT
Like the first one except not quite as slow. Still pretty slow though.
YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS
So far the production is really generic-sounding, even by Young Jeezy standards. These beats are all somewhat shittier versions of the beats from Thug Motivation 101.
J.E.E.Z.Y.
Perhaps you've heard this one. Jeezy repeats his own name over and over again like MC Hammer used to do back in the day.
I LUV IT
Just like that I Like It song from the last album, except this time it's I Love (er, Luv) It. The beat by DJ Toomp though is the album's first real standout.
GO GETTA
I'm not as crazy about R. Kelly-as-shitty-R&B-hook-provider, but he's been on somewhat of a roll lately. I'm surprised Akon isn't on this though. Hmm. . .
3 A.M.
The increasingly rare Timbaland-produced rap record. Sounds like an afterthought compared to some of Tim's better work this year. I hope Jeezy didn't spend too much on this.
I'M THE REALEST
You see, all these other jigs rapping about dealing coke are lying. Or, at least they didn't sell as much as Young Jeezy.
STREETS ON LOCK
Um, I know the chords from Hall & Oates' "Out of Touch" when I hear 'em.
BURY ME A G
A sort of 'Pac tribute that doesn't actually sound anything like a 'Pac record, but does manage to incorporate a few of his catchphrases.
DREAMIN'
An R&B number by the guys who did "Everyday I'm Hustlin'." Probably not the best of ideas.
WHA YOU TALKIN' ABOUT
This album's "And Then What?" except much more grating. Chock full of bad musical ideas.
KEEP IT GANGSTA
This weed carriers track has a sort of Swizz Beatz "Down Bottom" vibe. In a bad way, of course.
MR.15
There's not a whole lot going on with this beat, but it does have a nice thump to it. Jeezy sounds relatively inspired.
I GOT MONEY
Another one of the money tracks - this time featuring T.I. and Kanye Tuda (on guest raps only). The beat by DJ Toomp doesn't really do anything for me though.
THE INSPIRATION
A gospel-ish number that seems based on that one Earth Wind & Fire song Jay sampled on the Blueprint 2. Ick!
COMMENTS: People who loved Thug Motivation 101 are going to love this. It's very, very similar. Still, I don't think it's as good. With one or two exceptions, almost any track on TM 101 > almost any track on the Inspiration. If you didn't even care for that first one, obviously there's nothing here for you.
BEST TRACKS: "J.E.E.Z.Y." "I Luv It" "Mr. 15"
