Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101＜限定盤/Fruit Punch Vinyl＞

A sequence of events juggled the release dates for Boyz N da Hood's first album (issued on Bad Boy) and Young Jeezy's own widely distributed breakout (issued on Def Jam). Boyz N da Hood hit the Top Five the week it was released, and Young Jeezy -- the group's most visible member -- wound up releasing Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 only a month later. His prominence has come hard and fast (and not without a fair share of controversy), but in truth, he has been active in the underground since the mid-'90s. More a businessman than a traditional MC, his boasts are either deliberately pronounced or mush-mouthed and are often stamped with a druggy "Aaaayy!" Far from the South's best MC, he nonetheless makes up for it with his storytelling ability and obvious desire to inspire hard work, even if the "million dollar dreams" are followed by "federal nightmares." His mentality is almost permanently stuck on monetary gain, whether he's talking about moving "white" (his nickname is Snowman) or doing whatever necessary to keep up appearances. A definite product of the South, it's apparent throughout Let's Get It that his claim of being raised by the group UGK and the label No Limit is no joke. Like Boyz N da Hood, the album was made as if crunk never happened. Partial list of benefactors: Mannie Fresh, Trick Daddy, Young Buck, Bun B, Akon, Shawty Redd, ColliPark, Jazze Pha. ~ Andy Kellman

ボーイズン・ダ・フッドのデビューに続いて、それ以前からローカルで活躍していた中心人物のヤング・ジーズィがデフ・ジャムからソロでメジャー・デビュー。〈南部のNWA〉という肩書きで登場した同グループの一員らしく、深南部特有のダラリとルーズなラップはサグな魅力たっぷりで貫禄十分だが、フロウは決して一辺倒になることなくトラックの変化に応じて柔軟に七変化。マニー・フレッシュがトラックを手掛けてラップでも参加した“And Then What”の掛け合いなどスリルたっぷり。同じサウスからトリック・ダディ、ヤング・バック、T.I.、リル・スクラッピー、バンBら大物ゲストが顔を並べ、日本でもヒットしたエイコンも歌を披露。粒の揃ったトラックの上で余裕のラップをかますこの男、“Gangsta Music”という曲名があるのもダテではない、不敵な存在感を漂わせる要チェックなアーティストである。
bounce (C)高橋 荒太郎