Image via Complex Original
Jeezy recently dropped his fifth major label album, Seen It All: The Autobiography, a project that added another layer to his already prolific career as one of the most revered lyricists from the South. At this point it's become expected for Jeezy to share his story of the grind, and just like his drug-dealing past, he's been able to flip it in his favor, turning his tales from the block into anthems for the streets, clubs, and yes, even the strip clubs.
As much as Jeezy talks about his past and the moments that have shaped him as an artist and person, there's still a lot to discover about the 37-year-old rapper. Like what are the origins of his name? Or how did he get discovered? We did some digging on Mr. 17.5, so you didn't have to. Here are 20 Things You Didn't Know About Jeezy.
While at boot camp, he met Demetrius “Kinky B” Ellerbee. The two eventually founded Young Gunz Entertainment, and later CTE World.
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Before Jeezy was a rapper, he worked construction for his uncle.
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He use to promote Cash Money Records music through his CTE imprint before picking up the mic himself.
The late Shakir Stewart signed Jeezy to Def Jam in 2004 after receiving his demo from Henry "Noonie" Lee, Jazze Pha's manager. Stewart said he “fell in love with [the music] the first time I heard him.”
He underwent throat surgery in 2005 to remove polyps, a vocal disorder that almost left him unable to speak normally.
His feud with Gucci Mane began in 2005, when Gucci took their collaboration “Icy” for his own debut album instead of letting Jeezy have it for Thug Motivation 101.
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One of his favorite movies is Paid in Full, which was inspiration for his “Soul Survivor” video featuring Akon.
In 2005, schools started banning kids from wearing his infamous “Snowman” T-shirt because of its perceived reference to cocaine.
Following the disaster of Hurricane Katrina, Jeezy opened up his Atlanta home to over a dozen victims.
Jeezy changed his clothing line name from U.S.D.A. to 8732 after the U.S. Department of Agriculture prevented him from using the acronym for his brand.
Eight years later, he paid an undisclosed settlement to the Hells Angels after the motorcycle club sued him for allegedly using their Death Head logo for his clothing line.
Keyshia Cole proposed to Jeezy back when they were dating in 2008; she even bought him a ring. He said no.
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