Some people just don’t get it. Or maybe some people just don’t understand or maybe even care about others or feel that they should be responsible for what they say. Take Young Jeezy, for example. Jeezy is well-known and liked in the world of hip-hop, and may even be a good person, but it is obvious that his mental prowess has yet to match or equal his creative acumen.
Recently, Jeezy released his latest mixtape titled, 1,000 Grams Vol.1. On the cover are stacks of what appear to be bricks of cocaine, stamped with a black scorpion logo. I was asked to listen to the mix tape by a friend via my blogtalk radio show and I have just finished. I have one phrase to describe this piece of garbage, which by definition is discarded or useless material and inaccurate or useless data. That phrase is “assimilation of criminality.”
Although it’s funky, with some semi-decent production, this mixtape gets an F on content, substance and usefulness. What is the value of 12 songs that all talk about selling cocaine and killing folks over cocaine and money? None. Has he looked out of his window lately and noticed that he isn’t living that life anymore, or does he still live in the poverty-stricken area he was raised in outside Macon, Ga.
If anything his name fits him. When I think of young anything, I think of a boy, which he obviously is, maybe even a “f— boy,” a term he uses frequently in his music. A man should have some desire to empower and be socially responsible to his community and put that above money and avarice. But not Jeezy. And I know he as well as his defenders would say he “just keeping it ‘hood” or is “telling what’s going on in the streets.” To this I say: nonsense. As for the claim that he is being “black,” that is equally nonsensical. Since when does proclaiming and keeping it gangster, thug or street mean being black? If it does, tell that to 13-year-old Robert Freeman Jr who was shot 22 times last week in Chicago or 8-year-old Tanaja Stokes who was shot while playing jump rope outside her home Tuesday.
This CD reflects what is wrong in our community and basically reinforces sociopathic behavior. You cannot promote this type of behavior in 2010 when on very corner in urban neighborhoods DEA agents are watching and waiting to reach their quota. Young Jeezy needs to become a man and stop preaching ignorance and placing greed over substance. Grow up and stop acting like Mel Gibson and Dr. Laura. –torrance stephens, ph.d.
