Young Jeezy - The Inspiration
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.55 You Save: $6.44 (59%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.38 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for The Inspiration
Free Music Review: Bangin
Hit: 5 Stars
Jeezy is sick, especially the joint Mr. 17.5 and Hypnotize are hot. Buy the albumFree Music Review: J.E.E.Z.Y. a star!
Hit: 4 Stars
No one can deny that Young Jeezy's rise to stardom proved to be quick and a little out of nowhere. Sure, his first single "And Then What" feat. Mannie Fresh got some airplay, but it wasn't really a bonafide hit by any means. Despite this, the album (LET'S GET: THUG MOTIVATION 101) dropped on the Billboard Album Charts at #2 with 172,000 its first week and consistently remained in the top ten for several weeks. Jeezy's star status was confirmed when the Akon featured/produced track "Soul Survivor" which went on to be a #4 pop hit and a #1 R&B/Hip-Hop hit. Jeezy went on to have minor hits with "Go Crazy" and "My Hood", but they failed to be as potent as "Soul Survivor", which sealed a nearly double platinum album for Jeezy. If THUG MOTIVATION 101 opened the doors of Jeezy's career (especially after the bomb of the short-lived Boys N Da Hood), then THE INSPIRATION leaves the door ajar without messing with the formula that Jeezy had on his debut. Sure, there is nothing incredibly innovative, but the synth lines are whackier than ever and Jeezy sounds as if he is in his zone; even his clumsiest rhymes are some how endearing.
The album opens with the intro "Hypnotize" where the synths are as whacky as ever. While it is just an intro, it sets the tone of THE INSPIRATION- grimy as anything Jeezy has ever done. Jeezy rhymes through "Still On It" and "U Know What It Is" following "Hypnotize", but they aren't truly memorable or incredibly potent. The potency is saved up for Jeezy's great "J.E.E.Z.Y." in which Jeezy barrels over crazy, dark, malicious sounding synths rapping: "Jeezy like to smoke/ Jeezy like to drink/ Jeezy like to mix arm & hammer with his...". Sure, it is as gangsta and ghetto as anything, but "J.E.E.Z.Y." proves to be very irresistable to any listener. "J.E.E.Z.Y." is followed up by the exceptional first single "I Luv It" where Jeezy raps: "ride til I die/ ride til I die/ and i luv it/ and I luv it". It doesn't trump any of Jeezy's past hits per say, but it is nearly, if not just as good and proves to be an excellent choice for a first single.
While "Go Getta" featuring R. Kelly isn't my favorite track on the album, it is above average and it is good to see "Kells" back in the collaboration game. Lately R. Kelly has been a prominent collaborator (he's also featured on Snoop Dogg's "That's That"). If nothing else, the production work is great here, continuing the use of whacky sounding synths laced with Jeezy's hardcore, gangsta-heavy rhymes. "3 A.M." produced and featuring Timbaland steals the show. Tim's production is top rate and Jeezy is as fired up as ever. His catchiest line might just be "I ad lib here and I ad lib there... ad libs everywhere". Timbo's vocal contribution add the cherry on top, as they usually do via Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, and most recently Omarion on his hit "Icebox".
"The Realest" again features some of the "sickest" synth sounds on a rap album in 2006, only rivaled by T.I.'s KING. The brassy-"syntastic" production is great and Jeezy is once again doing his thing. You have to question when Jeezy rhymes "and I'm the muthaf*****' realest" if Jeezy really is, especially with a lack of filler material for the most part on THE INSPIRATION. "Street On A Lock" is a bonafide hit with its anthemic sounding grinding organ and its brassy sounding synth work. "Bury Me A G" is strong as well but perhaps most worth noting is the great "Dreaming" featuring R&B standout diva Keyshia Cole, who is truly beginning to hold her own in the R&B game. The track is gorgeous where production is concerned using the sample "Dreamin'". Keyshia kills it, Jeezy kills it, period.
"What You Talkin' Bout" is strong as well, and the hook on "Keep It Gangsta" will remain stuck in your head ("I keep it gangsta and they love that s***"). "Mr. 17.5" is perhaps one of the strongest selections on THE INSPIRATION. "I Got Money" is good as well and the album ends with the title track "The Inspiration(Follow Me)" which features lush string-production work in the introduction and then features a funky soul sample. It proves a strong enough way to end a strong album.
Overall, Jeezy has done everything correctly with THE INSPIRATION making it one of the very best rap albums of 2006, period. I personally think that Jeezy is here to stay and with an album as strong as THE INSPIRATION he should. 4 Stars.
Free Music Review: I LUV IT. It's better than his last one.
Hit: 4 Stars
Let me start off by saying that Young Jeezy is indeed a horrible lyricist, but his flo at the same time is set in a way that still makes you think for a second. What I like about him is that his songs are catchy. I first heard of him on a song called "Over Here" which featured Bun B and I wasn't impressed by it. I thought this would be another one-hit wonder elementary rapper but I was Damn wrong. If you are into good grimey lyrics that are on point then this is not for you. If you bought "Let's Get It" then buy this too cause it's better. On this album he really improves lyrically and there is less ad-libing and he's not always repeating the same words for rhymes. And the production is better too. Here is my overall product description.
The album starts off with "Hypnotize". This song was a good choice for this CD as it sets the tone for what the rest of the album has to offer. Track 2 is "Still On It". This is a tight street joint. The beat is very good and he doesn't dissapoint lyrically. Track 3 is called "U Know What It Is". This is decent at best. The beat is good but the lyrics and the whole song itself sounds like a re-do of "Standing Ovation" from his last album. Track 4 is titled "J.E.E.Z.Y." It's one of Jeezy's usual anthem tracks. He tells a hood story and once again the production doesn't dissapoint. Track 5 is the DJ Toomp prodeuced "I Luv It". An exceptional first single and one of his best singles so far. Track 6 is "Go Getta". It features R. Kelly and it will be the 2nd single. It has a nice sample and it's a very good track to blast in the car. Track 7 is titled "3 A.M."
Anyone with half a brain knows that this track stands out more than anything. It features Timbaland and if I'm not mistaken it is supposed to be the 3rd single. Production is great and it's very catchy. The best song on this release for me right now is track 8 "The Realest". He absolutely slaughters this track. The bass and synth sounds are great. It sounds like music that would be played at the end of an action movie after the bad guy dies. Track 9 is "Streets On Lock" which is another one of my favorites. He raps about how no one has the right to criticize his way of flowing and cool & dre provide another good beat to blast out of the car. Track 10 is a very deep song called "Bury Me A G". This is another stand out track and the producer does a great job in sampling "A Child Of God (It's Hard To Believe)". Track 11 is "Dreamin". It features Keyshia Cole which is the only reason I can't stand it because I hate her voice. But it's another deep song and Jeezy spaeks from the heart on this one. Track 12, "What You Talkin Bout" is the best song lyrically. It samples an old song called "Close The Door". He delivers great on this track explaining that he's gonna keep making the streets happy. Track 13 is "Keep It Gangsta". It's a CTE posse cut that features new artists Slick Pulla & Blood Raw. The beat and horns are excellent and the chorus speaks for itself. It will be stuck in your head throughout the rst of the CD. Track 14, "Mr. 17.5" I think should be a single. It samples the song "Give Me Just Another Day". Jeezy provides another anthem. And yes it sounds like a re-do of "Go Crazy" from his last album but who cares. It's better and it doesn't feature the whack hip-pop fool Jay-Z. Track 15 is called "I Got Money" and it features T.I. which was a strong selection. This song has "ATL get ya hands up" written all over it. Production is good. What else is there to say. The 16th and last track is "The Inspiration (Follow Me)". A great way to close the album and an overall good song.
My Top 6 (This wasn't easy)
1. The Realest
2. I Luv It
3. Mr. 17.5
4. What You Talkin Bout
5. I Got Money feat. T.I.
6. Streets On Lock
Honorable Mention Tracks: "Bury Me A G" & "3 A.M." feat. Timbaland
I recommend this to any Jeezy fan. It's a close race between this album, The Game's new one, and Nas's new one for album of the year. Don't sleep on this
Free Music Review: Jeezy in the trap
Hit: 4 Stars
Young Jeezy took a page out of T.I.P.'s book with this release. Basically he took everything that was great about his Def Jam debut and repeated & where possible improved on it. "Bury Me A G" sounds like a follow up to "Soul Survivor", "Mr 17.5" is a redo of "Go Crazy". Why fix it if it ain't broken, right?
Unfortunately that is what stops this album from being a classic. On his 1st album he had the surprise factor. Few thought he could deliver an album that hot although the Trap Or Die mixtape should have served as a warning. This time around the expectations are very high because he's shown that he can easily overcome his shortcomings (I'll let you fill this part in).
For the most part he delivers, although his a bit slow out the gate this time. "You know What It Is" is the true opener and it is classic Jeezy. "I Luv It" is hot but it does comes off a little too much like T.I.'s summer anthem (NO surprise since it is the same producer - The underrated DJ Toomp). "Go Getta" shows off R. Kelly's versatility as this is not a typical Kels track. "3 AM" is Timbaland reminding us that he is still hip-hop.
On the second half of the album Jeezy does try to give the album a more universal appeal by employing beats that are less 'southern bounce'. see "Dreamin", "The Inspiration (Follow Me)" & "Bury Me A G"
Recording 100 plus tracks for a CD has its advantages as there is very little of what you would call filler material. Even the opening track which is not hard hitting still has some appeal largely because of the chorus and the nice concept.
Speaking of choruses, there are a few missteps here, "J.E.E.Z.Y", "I Got Money" & "Still On It" all suffer from lame choruses but they are still hot tracks.
Lyrically Jeezy continues right where he left off on 101, he shows off a little more hunger on this CD and less swagger though. The humour is still there and the adlibs are placed strategically to let you know where the punchlines are 'ha haaa'. The theme of thug motivation is continued and it ties the album together quite nicely. He gets a bit more personal than we are used to on "Dreamin" but he never strays outside the trap.
In many ways this album is better than his last one, more polished, more hunger in the lyrics, more universal etc. However the content, although a bit deeper is still trapped in the trap. Jeezy should take a chance and let us in on where he currently is and not just relating his past life.
Free Music Review: Encouragement: Class In Session
Hit: 4 Stars
After seperating from former group Boyz N Da Hood, Young Jeezy's slow Godfather-like flow inspired by hustlers proved not to be a gimmick or fluke. Sophmore release The Inspiration: Thug Motivation 102 continues where his debut solo release left off. "...Class in session, when I talk they listen / but you know how it goes, real n*gg*s pay attention..." is the opening words on "Hypnotize (Intro)" as a declaration of a lyrical role model of how it should be done. Sticking to the street corners out of which he came "Still On It" has Jeezy giving out deals from his grind. "U Know What It Is" is where he proclaims himself as the governor of Georgia accompanied with a horn section perfectly arranged for his honor. One of the three produced by Shawty Redd, "J.E.E.Z.Y." explains his vices and his mentality for rookies to follow these steps to getting paid. "I Luv It" is just the feelings of the Snowman's lifestyle as a simple feel good song with the perfect arrangement to compliment the mood of a new day as "What You Talkin' Bout" with its harmony. Moving up on financial status and getting everything in reach is the subject matter of "Go Getta" featuring R. Kelly as does the heartfelt song "Dreamin'" featuring Keyshia Cole about reaching goals. Featuring and produced by Timbaland "3 A.M." is one of the highlights of The Inspiration where the scene is set after the club. Containing a blend of horns and a rock driven guitar riffs, "The Realest" attacks those who claim the game but never played. To Jeezy the game is a breeze as he represent Atlanta where he has the "Streets On Lock". Having visions of his death on "Bury Me A G" facilitate the idea of his burial. "Keep It Gangsta" featuring Slick Pulla & Blood Raw and "Mr. 17.5" are concrete additions for more street anthems for thugs. Having bragging rights on "I Got Money" featuring T.I. is where they both boast on the verses. The title track is an attempt to inspire those with nothing and the youth to chase their dreams in a sense. The Snowman Young Jeezy delivers a solid effort over a variety of tracks and subjects where this entire package emerge from the thickest of fog of doubt for critics. The Inspiration: Thug Motivation 102 highlights Young Jeezy's talents to be taken seriously. That's right!