Words by Francesca Djerejian Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
As is appropriate for the follow up to his game-changing debut, Young Jeezy's second offering, The Inspiration: Thug Motivation 102, is heavier on the fanfare and lighter on the baking soda. After all, the self-proclaimed "realest n---- in it, you already know" has now gone platinum, two times in a row, so it's fair to assume that he has left his bird flipping days behind him. Make no mistake, Jeezy's heart is still with the hustlers, his music knee-deep in the trap game.
A rapper who shines more on solo tracks than guest verses, Jeezy keeps the features at a minimum and lets his sometimes-questioned lyricism speak for itself. Outside his U.S.D.A. camp, only Keyshia Cole, R. Kelly, and a T.I./Kanye West joint make the cut. Shawty Redd, the production prodigy behind Jeezy's debut album, is joined by the Southern all-star cast of DJ Toomp, Timbaland, Cool & Dre, The Runners, Mr. Collipark, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and Don Cannon. It takes a lot of presence to not be overshadowed by a producer line-up of this caliber, and Jeezy has it in unlimited supply. On "3 AM," he maneuvers through the staggering force of Timbaland's production with effortless Snowman swag.
The bleak intensity of Jeezy's delivery, combined with arresting ad-libs and believable autobiographical claims, make him an ideal motivational rapper. The album opens with the aptly-titled "Hypnotize," where Shawty Redd intoxicates eardrums as Jeezy chants a command to money-getting. And for "You Know What It Is," Shawty Redd's dramatic soundtrack amplifies the gripping minimalism of the A-Town representative's words. Fresh off a recent gun charge, Jeezy straps up for the Don Cannon-produced "Mr. 15," spitting the rawness: "Whole life flash right before your eyes / See the state troopers and get butterflies / Got a thing for them Heckler & Koch's, Mini 14's, and Rolex watches / Somewhere in the back of my sick and deranged brain, I get a rush when I talk that 'caine."
Jeezy invites R. Kelly to reap the rewards of a hard day's grind on The Runners-produced "Go Getta," and Kells returns the favor by thuggin' out the club. And on "Dreamin'," Keyshia Cole accompanies Jeezy on an introspective glimpse into the gangsta-come-rapper's life journey.
While Snowman fans may be left nostalgic for the uncensored trap motion picture that was Jeezy's first album, it's hard to deny that his music remains as compelling as before. He takes the streets to church (and Gucci Mane to the grave) on the triumphant "Streets on Lock," accompanied by Cool & Dre's synthetic organs and Miami bass blows. In full victory mode, Jeezy reminds fans why he's the truth: "I got the streets on lock, Atlanta on my back / I do it for the hood, you got a problem with that? / Real n---- so this rap sh-- easy / When I speak, these n----s believe me / Cause bitch I'm Jeezy."
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