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 record executive record producer actor
Years active	1997–present
Spouse(s)	Jeannie Mai ​ ​ (m. 2021; div. 2024)​
Children	4
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Origin	Hawkinsville, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Southern hip hop trap gangsta rap
Labels	Island Def Jam Def Jam CTE World

Jay Wayne Jenkins (born September 28, 1977), known as Jeezy (or Young Jeezy), is an American rapper. He helped make a type of hip hop music called trap music popular. He did this alongside other rappers from Georgia, T.I. and Gucci Mane.

Jeezy started his music journey in 2001. He released two albums on his own. Then, he signed with Def Jam Recordings. His first big album, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101, came out in 2005. This album was very successful. It reached number two on the Billboard 200 music chart. It sold 172,000 copies in its first week. The album later became double platinum. This means it sold over two million copies. His song "Soul Survivor" with Akon was a big hit. It reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This is still his highest-charting song.

His next albums, Thug Motivation 102: The Inspiration (2006) and The Recession (2008), were also very popular. Both albums reached number one on the Billboard 200. The Recession even got a Grammy Award nomination. This was for its song "Put On" with Kanye West. After three more albums, his ninth album, Trap or Die 3 (2016), also topped the charts. Jeezy has many other popular songs. These include "I Luv It" and "My President" with Nas. He has also been featured on songs by other artists. These include "Hard" by Rihanna and "Love in This Club" by Usher. "Love in This Club" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2008.

Besides his solo music, Jeezy is a leader of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America (U.S.D.A.). He was also a member of the group Boyz n da Hood. Jeezy started his own record label, CTE World, in 2001. This label has signed artists like YG.

Jeezy's Early Life and Music Start

Growing Up and First Steps in Music (1977–2004)

Jay Wayne Jenkins was born on September 28, 1977. His birthplace was Columbia, South Carolina. When he was very young, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia. He lived with different family members there. This was because his parents had separated.

In 2001, Jeezy released his first independent album. He used the name Lil J back then. In 2004, Jeezy signed with Bad Boy Records. He joined the group Boyz n da Hood. Their album, Boyz n da Hood, came out in June 2005. It reached number 5 on the Billboard 200 album chart.

In May 2004, a manager named Henry 'Noonie' Lee showed Jeezy's music demo to Shakir Stewart. Stewart was a Vice President at Def Jam Records. Stewart loved the demo right away. He showed it to L.A. Reid, who also saw Jeezy's talent. Reid gave the go-ahead to sign Jeezy. Other record labels also wanted to sign him. But Jeezy chose to work with Stewart and Reid. He signed with Def Jam Records.

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

Jeezy released his first major album, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101, on July 26, 2005. The album started at number 2 on the Billboard 200. It sold 172,000 copies in its first week. It later became a Platinum album. The first song from the album was "And Then What". It featured Mannie Fresh. This song reached number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The second song, "Soul Survivor", featured Akon. It reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. This became Jeezy's most successful song. The third song, "My Hood", reached number 77. Jeezy recorded over 60 songs for this album.

Jeezy has always wanted to stay true to his roots in his music. He doesn't want his music to become too commercial. In 2005, Jeezy was featured in several popular hip hop songs. These included Gucci Mane's "Icy". He also appeared on Boyz n da Hood's "Dem Boyz". He later left the group. He wanted to focus on his solo career.

More Albums and Group Projects

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

Young Jeezy in 2006

In 2006, Jeezy was featured on Christina Milian's song "Say I". Later that year, on December 12, he released his second big album. It was called The Inspiration. This album reached number one on the Billboard 200. It sold 352,000 copies in its first week. It also became a Platinum album. The first song from the album, "I Luv It", reached number 14. The second song, "Go Getta" with R. Kelly, reached number 18.

Jeezy also appeared in the video game Def Jam: Icon in March 2007. In 2007, Jeezy's group U.S.D.A released their first album. It was called Cold Summer. This album reached number 4 on the Billboard 200. It sold 95,000 copies in its first week.

In December 2007, Jeezy and CTE World held a charity event. It was called the Toyz N Da Hood Drive. They gave 1,000 toys to 1,000 kids. This happened in Macon and Atlanta.

The Recession Album (2008)

On September 2, 2008, Jeezy released The Recession. This was his third studio album. It was his second album in a row to reach number one. It topped the Billboard 200. It sold 260,000 copies in its first week. The album later became gold certified. The main song, "Put On", featured Kanye West. It reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Recession also earned Jeezy a Grammy Award nomination. This was for Best Rap performance by a duo. Other songs from the album included "My President" with Nas. Jeezy also appeared on Usher's "Love in This Club". This song reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also featured on Akon's "I'm So Paid".

New Projects and Albums (2013–2015)

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

On August 13, 2013, Young Jeezy released a mixtape. It was called Boss Yo Life Up Gang. He made it with other CTE World artists.

On May 30, 2014, Jeezy released "Me Ok". This was the first song from his fifth album. The album was named Seen It All: The Autobiography. On July 1, 2014, he released the second song, "Seen It All". This song featured Jay-Z. On August 31, 2015, Jeezy announced a new project. It was called Church in These Streets. Four songs were released from it. The full project came out on November 13, 2015. It reached number 4 on the Billboard 200.

Trap or Die 3 and Other Albums (2016–2019)

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

On December 15, 2017, Jeezy released his eighth album. It was called Pressure. On August 23, 2019, Jeezy released his ninth album. It was named TM104: The Legend of the Snowman. This was planned to be his last album. He wanted to try acting at that time.

The Recession 2 and New Music (2020–Present)

On November 20, 2020, Jeezy released his tenth album. It was called The Recession 2. Like his earlier album, The Recession, it talks about "current times." Jeezy said it was meant to inspire and motivate people. The album has 15 songs. It features artists like Rick Ross and Demi Lovato. The night before the album came out, Jeezy had a music battle called Verzuz with Gucci Mane. He also announced a podcast called The (Re)Session Podcast.

On September 30, 2022, Jeezy announced a new mixtape. It was released the next month. This mixtape helped him finish his contract with Def Jam Recordings. He had been with Def Jam for over eighteen years. On October 21, 2022, the mixtape, Snofall, was released. It was hosted by DJ Drama.

On Halloween 2023, Jeezy shared on Instagram that his contract with Def Jam was finished. He also announced a double album. It was titled I Might Forgive, But I Don't Forget. This album was released on November 3.

Jeezy's Personal Life

After Hurricane Katrina, Jeezy opened his home to people who lost theirs. He offered them a place to stay.

Jeezy married Jeannie Mai in 2021. They announced the birth of their daughter on January 11, 2022. He has four children. Jeezy later filed for divorce from Mai in September 2023. He is seeking to share legal custody of their daughter.

Discography

Studio albums

• Come Shop Wit Me (2003)
• Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 (2005)
• Thug Motivation 102: The Inspiration (2006)
• The Recession (2008)
• 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)

Filmography

• 2009: Janky Promoters
• 2019: I Got the Hook Up 2

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