Young Jeezy – Pressure (Album Review)

WTF, Young Jeezy dropped another album? For someone that I would probably put in the rap hall of fame, it’s hard to believe that he could drop something that I had no clue was even coming out a few days ago. That doesn’t mean the music will be bad, right? I mean the features look good, the names of the songs look interesting…. (Uh oh, that little voice in my head has began to doubt the drug dealing underdog)

TOP 5

5. PRESSURE

There was once a time YG and Kodak were watching Jeezy do his thing from a far — Kodak probably in the cradle.

Doesn’t this track sound like some s–t that Pac would rap over? It’s fitting, because I can see the influence of Pac on each person featured on this song. Over this smooth instrumental, Jeezy starts it off by sorta hypnotizing the listeners with this snoozy hook. He does pick up his energy level on his verse though, as he denies hand outs and proclaims his self as the realest since the word was created.

Kodak responds really well to the beat by dropping this real ass verse that pays homage to both Jeezy and the dope boys that are currently sitting on the corner of his hood. Even though he raps with this pretty wacky style, you will still get some real ass words from him.

Someone gotta tell YG that this song isn’t necessarily on some party s–t, cause he sounds a little too upbeat. I don’t think he fits the song one bit, but then again, I don’t think he fits several songs these days.

Miami, Atlanta, and California all sound unified on this song.

4. LIKE THEM

Rick Ross and Jeezy’s repairing of their relationship is a lesson that Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump should take note of.

There isn’t many romantic songs on this album (If any), but this is the closest thing you will get to it. On ‘Like Them’, both Jeezy and Rozay give their own examples of hood love by letting their women know they appreciate them for their loyalty and willingness to enjoy the things they enjoy. As a result, they spoil them with a bunch of s–t that even the genie from Aladdin couldn’t get them.

Tory Lanez is 100% a singer now. I’ve only heard him use that high pitched voice that has him sounding like a trap Amazon Alexa lately. Anyway, the Canadian artist takes the song to another level — one that makes it capable of becoming a pop hit.

I guess we can all learn a few lessons on how we should treat are women by a few dudes that are 40, right?

3. THE LIFE

‘The Life’ provides perhaps the best example of vintage Jeezy: It has that down south feel to it, in addition to this gutter vibe that only the Snowman can navigate through.

I would’ve never guessed that Afro-pop artist WizKid would drop one of the toughest hooks on this album! Well it happened, as he channels his inner Akon, spitting with this very sly cadence. Trey Songz helps complete the hook by infusing a bit of soul into it.

Even though Jeezy is pretty entertaining on the track, I can definitely do without him.

2. BOTTLES UP

Who else is waiting on that new snow flavored Ciroc?

This song sounds very old school, but I truly don’t mind it. Over this piano-heavy instrumental, Jeezy gets the gloatin’, using the oh-so popular Big Tymers flow from ‘Get Your Roll On’ throughout (I predicted this flow will make a major comeback). As a result, you get this catchy ass tune that the dope boys everywhere will love.

I love me some Puff when he plays hype man! When he attempts to rap, I get the shakes.

1. AMERICAN DREAM

This track is 93 percent of the reason I felt like hearing this album…

At this point of his career, Jeezy can only play that conservative point guard for Kendrick and Cole, and I think he does that role pretty well. Over this mettlesome instrumental, the Snowman gets real, channeling both the old him that is unapologetic and the new him that has a wad of cash. I love how he mixes both worlds, as he aims to put all age ranges onto game.

There’s this competitive thing going on between Cole and Kendrick, but I think it’s more of a brotherly competition than anything. Well on this song, they are on the same page, as they both aim to deliver this message centered around hood success. Cole comes with it hard on his verse, but Kendrick is playing around too much on his.

This track is definitely worth the wait.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

SPYDER (4/5)
COLD SUMMER (3.8/5)
IN A MAJOR WAY (3.7/5)
FLOOR SEATS (3.8/5)
THIS IS IT (4/5)
BOTTLES UP (4.7/5)
VALET INTERLUDE (N/A)
RESPECT (4/5)
PRESSURE (4.3/5)
LIKE THEM (4.6/5)
THE LIFE (4.7/5)
AMERICAN DREAM (5/5)
SNOW SEASON (3.6/5)

OVERALL RATING

(7.5/10)

Surprisingly, Jeezy’s mentality hasn’t changed much, but the people around him definitely has. The Shawty Redd’s of the world didn’t have an impact on the production of this album, and has been replaced by up and coming producers like P.C and D.Rich. Though they provide the album with pretty decent instrumentals, the chemistry is lacking a bit, which I think shows in the music. But put yourself in his shoes: When you are trap legend like him, wouldn’t it be a little hard to work with people that were in elementary school when you were really poppin? (It’s sorta like watching Dirk Nowitzki play on the Mavs this year)

Despite my first paragraph, I think the album is at the minimum listenable. The bundles of features on it definitely makes it more explosive, and the overall tone of the record will give you a good change of environment when it comes to rap music.

Unfortunately, ‘Pressure’ isn’t the best thing since sliced bread, but it does have its highlights here and there. It’s not that Jeezy’s skills has diminished, I just think it’s become a bit stale in today’s music scene. However, Jeezy’s splash earlier in his career continues to drive his interest even after all these years, as his peers, fans, and corner boys still find solace in the music he makes.