Jeezy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jeezy
Jeezy in 2019
Born	Jay Wayne Jenkins (1977-09-28) September 28, 1977 (age 47) Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Other names	Lil' J Young Jeezy The Snowman
Occupation	Rapper songwriter actor
Years active	1997–present
Spouse(s)	Jeannie Mai ​ ​ (m. 2021; sep. 2023)​
Children	4
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Origin	Hawkinsville, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop trap Southern hip hop gangsta rap
Labels	Island Def Jam Def Jam Corporate Thugz

Jay Wayne Jenkins (born September 28, 1977), known by his stage name Jeezy (or Young Jeezy), is an American rapper. He is credited, along with fellow Georgia-based rappers T.I. and Gucci Mane, for helping to pioneer the hip hop subgenre trap music for a mainstream audience. Jenkins began his career in 2001, releasing two independent albums until signing with Def Jam Recordings to release his major label debut, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 (2005). The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, sold 172,000 copies in its first week, and received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album also spawned his highest-charting single as a lead artist to date: "Soul Survivor" (featuring Akon), which peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

His second and third albums, Thug Motivation 102: The Inspiration (2006) and The Recession (2008) were met with continued success as both peaked on the Billboard 200; the latter earned Jenkins his first Grammy Award nomination for its lead single, "Put On" (featuring Kanye West). His other platinum-certified singles include "I Luv It", "Go Getta" (featuring R. Kelly), "My President" (featuring Nas), "Lose My Mind" (featuring Plies), and "Leave You Alone" (featuring Ne-Yo), among others.

Outside of his solo career, Jenkins is 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.

Biography

Early life and career beginnings (1977–2004)

Jay Wayne Jenkins was born on September 28, 1977, in Columbia, South Carolina. When he was a toddler, Jenkins relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he lived with different family members, as a result of his parents separating.

In 2001, under the name Lil J, Young Jeezy released his first independent album. In 2004, Jeezy signed with Bad Boy Records and joined the group Boyz n da Hood, whose self-titled album was released in June 2005 and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 album chart.

In May 2004, Jazze Pha's manager, Henry 'Noonie' Lee, showed Jeezy's demo to his friend Shakir Stewart, then Vice President Artist and Repertoire (VP A&R) at Def Jam. Stewart "fell in love with it [the demo] the first time [he] heard it" and took it to L.A. Reid. Reid recognized Jeezy's talent and gave Stewart the green light to sign him. However, due to Jeezy's rising popularity, other record labels began pursuing him simultaneously to sign with them, most notably, Warner and Interscope. Ultimately, Jeezy decided he wanted to be in business with Stewart and Reid and signed with Def Jam Records as a result.

Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 (2005)

Jeezy released his major label debut, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101, on July 26, 2005. The album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, selling 172,000 copies in its first week and was later certified Platinum by the RIAA. The debut single off his debut album, "And Then What" featured Mannie Fresh and reached No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single off the album, "Soul Survivor" featuring Akon, reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and would become Jeezy's highest-charting single of his career. The third single, "My Hood", reached No. 77 on the Billboard Hot 100. In an interview with HitQuarters, A&R Shakir Stewart said that Jeezy had recorded over 60 songs for the album.

In interviews and on several records, Jeezy has affirmed his resistance to commercialism in his music. According to Jeezy, maintaining his street credibility, is of the utmost concern to him as an artist. In 2005, Jeezy was featured in several popular hip hop songs including Gucci Mane's "Icy" and Boyz n da Hood's "Dem Boyz". He would later leave the group after successfully establishing himself as a solo artist.

The Inspiration and U.S.D.A. (2006–2007)

Young Jeezy in 2006

In 2006, Jeezy was featured in Christina Milian's single "Say I". Later that year, on December 12, he released his second major label album, The Inspiration. It topped the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 352,000 copies and would go on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA. The album's first single, "I Luv It", peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the second single, "Go Getta" featuring R. Kelly, peaked at No. 18.

Jeezy also extended himself into gaming, portraying himself in the 3D hip-hop fighting game Def Jam: Icon, released in March 2007. Also in 2007, Jeezy's group U.S.D.A (alongside Blood Raw and Slick Pulla) released their debut album, Cold Summer. The album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200, selling 95,000 copies in its first week.

On December 17, 2007, Jeezy and CTE started their week-long toy drive and charity event series called the Toyz N Da Hood Drive. The series presented 1,000 toys for 1,000 kids at various locations in Macon and Atlanta. The CTE Christmas Kickoff portion of the event ran from 10 pm to 5 am at Club Miami. The toy giveaway took place in the Unionville neighborhood of Macon and at the Old Fourth Ward Community in Atlanta.

The Recession (2008)

On September 2, 2008, Jeezy released The Recession, his third studio album and, what would be, his second consecutive number one album. It topped the Billboard 200, selling 260,000 copies in its first week and was later certified gold by the RIAA. The album's lead single, "Put On", featured Kanye West and reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Recession also earned Jeezy a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap performance by a duo. Other singles off the album included "Vacation", "Crazy World", "My President" featuring Nas, and "Who Dat" featuring Shawty Redd. Separately, Jeezy made appearances on Usher's "Love in This Club" and Akon's "I'm So Paid", which was also with Lil Wayne. "Love in This Club" peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Later, Jeezy performed on Ciara's single "Never Ever", from her album Fantasy Ride.

Boss Yo Life Up Gang, Seen It All: The Autobiography and Church in These Streets (2013–2015)

Young Jeezy Performs "Go Getta" and "Soul Survivor" in 2014

On August 13, 2013, Young Jeezy released a compilation mixtape titled Boss Yo Life Up Gang with CTE World artists, Doughboyz Cashout and YG.

On May 30, 2014, Jeezy released the first single "Me Ok" from his upcoming fifth studio album Seen It All: The Autobiography. On July 1, 2014, he released the second single, "Seen It All", featuring Jay-Z. On August 31, 2015, Jeezy announced that he would release a new project entitled Church in These Streets. Four singles were released and the project as a whole came on November 13, 2015. It debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200.

Trap or Die 3, Pressure, TM104: The Legend of the Snowman and retirement (2016–2019)

On October 28, 2016, Jeezy released his new album Trap or Die 3, which became available for pre-order on iTunes earlier that month. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming Jeezy's third album to top the chart.

On December 15, 2017, Jeezy released his eighth studio album Pressure (originally titled Snow Season).

On August 23, 2019, Jeezy released his ninth album, TM104: The Legend of the Snowman. It was planned to be his final album, as he wanted to venture into acting at the time.

The Recession 2 (2020–2022)

On November 20, 2020, Jeezy released his tenth studio album, The Recession 2. As with the original, The Recession, which was released 12 years prior, it is a reflection of the "current times", as Jeezy explained: "It just really inspired me to touch on some of that, but at the same time, motivate my people and give them something to help them through these times and to celebrate, because the shift is happening". The 15-track album features guest appearances from Rick Ross, Ne-Yo, Yo Gotti, E-40, and Demi Lovato, among others. The night before the album's release, Jeezy went live for a Verzuz against rival Gucci Mane. In addition to the album, he announced a limited series podcast called The (Re)Session Podcast.

Snofall and Def Jam departure (2022-present)

On September 30, 2022, Jeezy announced a mixtape to be released the following month to help fulfill his contract with Def Jam Recordings, the label that housed him for over eighteen years. On October 21, 2022, the mixtape, Snofall, hosted by Gangsta Grillz DJ Drama was released.

On Halloween 2023, Jeezy confirmed via Instagram that his contract with Def Jam has been fulfilled, while announcing a double album titled I Might Forgive, But I Don't Forget, which was released on November 3.

Personal life

After Hurricane Katrina, Jeezy opened his house to victims, offering those who had been displaced from their homes a place to call home.

Jeezy married Jeannie Mai in 2021. The birth of their first child and daughter was announced on January 11, 2022. He has three children from previous relationships.

On September 14, 2023, Jeezy filed for divorce from Mai. He is also seeking joint legal custody of their daughter.

Discography

Studio albums

• Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 (2005)
• The Inspiration: Thug Motivation 102 (2006)
• The Recession (2008)
• ... Ambition (2011)
• Seen It All: The Autobiography (2014)
• Church in These Streets (2015)
• Trap or Die 3 (2016)
• Pressure (2017)
• TM104: The Legend of the Snowman (2019)
• The Recession 2 (2020)
• I Might Forgive... But I Don't Forget (2023)

Collaborative albums

• Snofall with DJ Drama (2022)

Awards

American Music Awards

BET Awards

• Note: "I'm So Hood (Remix)" with DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross

BET Hip Hop Awards

• Note: "I'm So Hood (Remix)" with DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross

Grammy Award

Ozone Awards