51黑料

Alongside rappers like T.I. and Gucci Mane, Jeezy became a pioneer of trap rap, a subgenre of hip-hop, when it first emerged in the early 2000s. The Atlanta-based rapper achieved mainstream notoriety after releasing his 2005 label debut 鈥淟et鈥檚 Get It: Thug Motivation 101.鈥�

Twenty years later, Jeezy brings 鈥淟et鈥檚 Get It: TM101鈥� back to the stage, with the Color of Noize Orchestra, for a symphonic performance of his chart-topping album. His street motivation and trap-rap flair arrive at the Stifel Theatre on Aug. 8.

Trap rap is one of the most misunderstood subgenres of American music. It gets its name from trap houses, a slang term used to describe an abandoned building where drugs are sold. The music involves a bleak narrative that describes the poorest neighborhoods.

Many say trap rap glorifies crime and violence. But it also shares stories depicting a reality experienced by many Black men growing up in the United States. When it was released, 鈥淭M 101鈥� skyrocketed to the top of the charts, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and selling 172,000 copies just one week after its release.

The album鈥檚 songs helped establish trap rap as the dominant subgenre of hip-hop. It spawned a generation of new Atlanta rappers who wanted to be like Jeezy. But some songs from Jeezy鈥檚 2005 album were more impactful than others.

Here are the five best songs from 鈥淟et鈥檚 Get It: TM 101.鈥�

鈥淪tanding Ovation鈥�

A fan favorite track from 鈥淭M 101,鈥� 鈥淪tanding Ovation鈥� introduces Jeezy to the mainstream as a bold, lyrical voice. He describes himself as 鈥測our favorite rapper鈥檚 favorite trapper鈥� as he breaks down what defines his music and drug-dealing lifestyle.

This song is characterized by its prominent drums with bass melodies, the foundations of high-energy trap rap. Jeezy calls for applause for his pursuits, saying that the records he鈥檚 creating are bigger than rap. Like the rest of his songs, 鈥淪tanding Ovation鈥� tells stories of his time in the streets.

Expect to hear a strong horn presence from the orchestra when Jeezy performs this song.

鈥淎nd Then What鈥� with Mannie Fresh

The lead single from 鈥淭M 101,鈥� 鈥淎nd Then What鈥� features the legendary Mannie Fresh, from the Big Tymers, on the hook and as the song鈥檚 producer. With a star-studded music video with cameos from rappers like 2Chainz, Dr. Dre and Bun B, the record peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart.

The braggadocious rap track is full of self-affirming bars with a chant-like chorus and thumping beat that created an anthem for the summer of 2005. The song was a blueprint for the trap rap genre.

The best part of this song is the duality of Jeezy鈥檚 lyricism. He describes the woes of a trap stardom while celebrating being on top of his game as the street life and rap world collide.

鈥淪oul Survivor鈥� with Akon

Jeezy鈥檚 鈥淪oul Survivor鈥� was a smash hit. The song featured 51黑料 native Akon, who rose to fame the previous year after releasing his single 鈥淟ocked Up.鈥� Akon and Jeezy proved to be the ultimate duo on wax. With a 鈥淧aid in Full鈥� inspired music video directed by Benny Boom, 鈥淪oul Survivor鈥� starts with Akon crooning on beat before he and Jeezy dive into the dangers of surviving the street life.

The second single from 鈥淭M 101,鈥� 鈥淪oul Survivor,鈥� skyrocketed to the top of the charts. It peaked at No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. As Jeezy takes listeners through the anxiety-inducing experiences of being a drug dealer, he reminds them, 鈥淭his ain鈥檛 a rap song... this is my life鈥� and compares his neighborhood to a battlefield.

Both Jeezy and Akon bare their souls on 鈥淪oul Survivor.鈥� Its title is a homonym, showcasing that one鈥檚 soul can survive a life full of crimes while also acknowledging the remorse of being the sole survivor from drug and violence-infested communities.

鈥淎ir Forces鈥�

Three years after Nelly and the St. Lunatics stomped up the charts with 鈥淎ir Force Ones,鈥� Jeezy doubled back to the sneaker-loving vibes with 鈥淎ir Forces.鈥� The record is a trap testimonial describing how Jeezy went from 鈥渙ld school Chevys to drop top Porsche鈥檚鈥� as he transitioned from trapper to rapper.

From Run DMC鈥檚 鈥淢y Adidas鈥� to Tupac rapping about Converse鈥檚 Chuck Taylors on 鈥淐alifornia Love,鈥� sneakers have always been a part of hip-hop culture. Jeezy uses the Air Force shoe as a metaphor for the rough life he has lived. He questions if the listener can walk a mile in his shoes, the age-old saying found new meaning in Jeezy鈥檚 trap lyricism.

鈥淭alk to Em鈥�

Expect to hear radiant, gospel choir-like voices and funky bass lines when Jeezy performs 鈥淭alk to Em.鈥� A sentimental and reflective song, 鈥淭alk to Em鈥� is a vulnerable pause on the album. The lyrics begin by talking about two friends in Jeezy鈥檚 life, GoldMouf and Mel-Man, as he raps about the grief of losing them to death and incarceration.

On the final verse, Jeezy raps about his deceased grandmother, Mattie Lou. He describes lying to her about storing drugs in her home while she was alive, how he turned his life around through music and hopes she鈥檚 proud of him from heaven鈥檚 gates.

There鈥檚 a 鈥淭alk to Em鈥�-like song on most hip-hop albums. These tracks are often overlooked in favor of the upbeat, dancable songs, but they are just as important as hit singles. Songs like these humanize rappers. They show the real pain behind the struggle and the losses associated with choosing the street life, giving an honest glimpse into the sadness hidden under the music.