Mixtape Review:

Reviewed by Loose Cannon. ----------------------- This reviewer ain’t even gonna front like I know who Young Jeezy is. I heard that Gucci Maine cut “So Icey” (who hasn’t) and I was instantly hooked; thankfully, it appears here as a bonus track. I also know Jeez’ a member of Bad Boy South’s Boyz N Da Hood. Despite the esteemed notoriety in reppin’ the Dirty South to the fullest, I had yet to hear an Aphilliates mixtape ‘til just now. Guess I was missing out on both parts. With the crunk subgenera blowin’, the resurrection of the Ghetto Boys and Luda, Flip, Buck and others bringing the lyrical skill from down bottom, not to mention the pop-off of Swishahouse, ain’t no better time than now for Jeezy to get exposed to the masses. If you don’t feel what I’m sayin’, then Trap Or Die is probly not for you; but if No Limit was your shit in it’s hey-day, then this ain’t far off. Like Flip, Young Jeezy is a mixtape vet, selling over 200,000 in his time, and his style would best describe a T.I./Lil’ Wayne meets Jae Millz/Juelz Santana. Even the intro got a haunting choir-led backdrop and some hot lines: “…Mighta saw the video, stickers and flyers / Most of these rappers are compulsive liars / They can’t help it, they need some help / Tell me what kinda nigga tell lies to his self,” and “I really lived it man / Got so much paper it’d a hurt ya hands.” So much of the topics are about the street’s ills and the hustle man’s game, but which mixtapes aren’t? Somehow when Young Jeezy let off, I believe him. His tentative style throughout Trap Or Die matches most of the lingering, synth-heavy production that supports him. The album exclusive “Get Ya Mind Right” is case in point. “Got a diarrhea flow, I shit on niggas.” Disgustingly simple, yea, but y’all know it’s just more of that south innovation. Those who’ve locked into the game for a minute know where all the catchy terms and trendy slang come from. One emcee that don’t rely on trends or none of that is Underground King Bun B, and his appearances on the title-track and “Rollaz and Ridaz” help change the pace a bit with his strong and steady flow. Fabolous and Trick Daddy tracks featuring Jeezy keep things interesting as well. Much like DJ Smallz, DJ Drama’s presentation doesn’t get annoying, with hardly any talkin’ or drops through the songs—at least on Trap Or Die. There’s even a lil’ cuttin’ and scratchin’. “Street Niggas” has a sleek, jazzy backdrop for Jeezy’s real talk: “Got two strikes, nigga dodge it one time / This is real life, ya got the nerve to call it punchlines / Well I got a punchline for ya / Yee ain’t talkin’ bout shit, I wanna see my lawyer.” Not feeling the all too simplistic formula in the raps, hooks, and beats on “Get Em Jeezy,” but it’s picked up with some snarl and substance on a snippet of “U Ain’t Perfect” and the high-energy, trunk-popping “Miss Me With That Rap Shit.” Some hard shit with some good humor is that “We Luv Ya.” The beat is average shit, but the rhymes are hilarious…I’mma save the quotin’ for ya ears. Nearly every bar on the track is dope or funny. The hook is original, with call and responses from three different sections. Check that. Willie D delivered “H-Town” and now it’s Young Jeezy pullin’ for his GA with the U.S.D.A. for an ill remake. “Gangsta” has some funky production, while the electric twangs of “Pussy Ass Niggas” and “AirForces” present Jeezy in full cinematic fashion. DJ Drama’s Trap Or Die never really comes down to skipping tracks; it comes down to whether this GA flav is for you. And hey yo, T.I…. don’t be claimin’ that crown just yet.

*** This review is copyright of Mixtape One, L.L.C. Unauthorized duplication or linking will be punished to the fullest extent of all applicable copyright laws.