Track Listing

1. Recession
2. Welcome Back
3. By The Way
4. Crazy World
5. What They Want
6. Amazin'
7. Hustlaz Ambition
8. Who Dat
9. Don't You Know
10. Circulate
11. Word Play
12. Vacation
13. Everything
14. Takin' It There
15. Don't Do It
16. Put On
17. Get Allot
18. My President

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39208 in Music
• Released on: 2008-09-08
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

CD Description
On album number three, ATL icon Young Jeezy spreads his wings-- flirting with radio-friendly R&B-influenced tracks and soul-tinged nostalgia-- while maintaining the same intense feel with his trademark slow-rap delivery and crack-peddling subject matter. THE RECESSION largely relies on the same stable of producers who've been with Jeezy since LET'S GET IT--Don Cannon, Midnight Black, Shawty Redd, Drumma Boy, and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. Thus the overall production sound is consistent with his first two solo albums--cinematic and brooding, built on seething synthesizers and frantic drum kits--while a handful of R&B hooks push THE RECESSION closer to commercial appeal. For the most part though, Jeezy keeps it gangsta as he reworks 2Pac's "Ambitions as a Ridah" on "HustlazAmbition", sneers at his enemies on "By the Way", and revisits his crackspot origins on "Crazy World". The biggest departure is undoubtedly the album's closer, "My President"--that sees Jeezy, alongside Nas, pondering the possibilities of a black president.

Customer Reviews

My president is black, my Lambo's blue
There will come a time when Jeezy's thug motivation raps about birdplay will sound redundant, uncreative and outdated. If one thinks back 10 plus years ago of groups like Mobb Deep, M.O.P., Wu-Tang Clan and artists like Redman, Smoothe Da Hustler etc. All these artists came out the gate with a sound that was so fresh that we could never foresee a time when they would become almost irrelevant to the game. But time catches up with everyone and sooner or later unless you can transform yourself like Madonna your star status will eventually fade.

This is certainly true for Jeezy because unlike some of his counterparts like T.I., Wayne & Kanye he cannot be everything to everyone. Jeezy is a "Thug" rapper and his appeal is solidly linked to the appeal of the trapper lifestyle and as long as we the fans fiend to hear more about that we will love Jeezy. There was a time when that grimey NY thug music or west coast gang banger sound was hitting.

The point of the above rant is simply that if you can't stand Rick Ross, Plies or Young's previous efforts then you need not apply. If, like me, you do then you'll probably agree that this is YJ at his best. He rides the beats better than he's ever done, lyrically there is a clear maturation as well.

The extended drug/sports metaphor on "What They Want" is very well constructed. "Crazy World" has a much wider appeal with chants of "I think Bush is tryin' to punish us...". It is by no means a political song but the reference makes it more relatable. The same is true for "My President" with Nas which is billed as a political track but turns out to be a celebration of the good life. "My president is black, my Lambo's (Lamborghini) blue..." what more could an African American ask for. "Vacation" also has a misleading title as it ends up being about out of town runs. But you have to give it to Young, by using pop culture references he manages to bring the streets to the world without selling out. Although the more discerning fans will complain that when it's all said and done its still nothing more than trap music.

Where he doesn't compromise is with the beats as "The Recession" is a strictly Dirty South affair and here again the haters will complain. The same haters who complained that on "The Inspiration" he was trying too hard to switch up. My verdict is that the beats alone are worth the admission price and I would go as far as saying that they are the best YJ beats since forever.

Finally, a YJ album will live and die on the strength of his choruses and believe me, he doesn't disappoint in this department either. Overall YJ easily makes the top 5 for 2008 so far.

great album period.
excellent album great tracks from start to finish. best southern rapper by far in my opinion. if you liked the first 2 albums then you defintely enjoy this get it you wont be dissapointed.

Very good album
If you're a fan of hiphop in general or of southern rap specifically, you should get this album, as jeezy has some sick rhymes, great lyrical content(which most of the time is absent from other rappers studio efforts) and very solid beats. A great all around album which mixes different styles into one nice package