Young age that I love knowledge and I love wisdom, no matter what form it came in, and from
there, you know, a star was
born, you feel me?
There, you know, a star was born, you feel me? Like, I was just, like, I
understood the streets.
I understood how to delegate.
Understood the streets. I understood how to delegate. I understand how to be a sponge,
and that's when I started to
figure out who I really was.
And that's when I started to figure out who I really was. When you look at me and you see
me right now, this has always
when you look at me and you see me right now, this has always been my vision for myself.
Me right now, this has always been my vision for myself. 1,000 per--
only thing, and, you know, I've
got a little ice on 'cause I'm
running around today, but plain
jane watch, wedding band, plain
jane.
Jane watch, wedding band, plain jane. Clean shirt, you know?
Jane. Clean shirt, you know? Nice slacks.
That's what I wanted to be
nice slacks. That's what I wanted to be because that's what I respected.
I've been around, you know,
every gangster you can name, you
know what I'm saying?
Every gangster you can name, you know what I'm saying? I've been in every hood there
was, but I understood one
thing -- the people that we
couldn't understand was the
people that were smart enough to
create these fortune 500
companies for themselves and be
able to do it legitimately,
and that's what that symbolized
to me.
And that's what that symbolized to me. I always wanted to be a black
man that, you know, understood
what his passion and what --
what his -- what drives him,
you know what I'm saying?
What his -- what drives him, you know what I'm saying? Like, my purpose.
You know what I'm saying? Like, my purpose. And a lot of people don't know
like, my purpose. And a lot of people don't know that, like, music is my
and a lot of people don't know that, like, music is my talent -- and I'll get into that
later -- but business has always
been my passion because I want
to walk in the room and I wanted
that respect, not just being the
hustler to beat, you know, the
gangster, to be the person who
put in the work, you know what
I'm saying?
But, I mean, like, when you walk
in the rooms, people respect you
because they know you know how
to make moves and you know how
to put, you know, the community
together so everybody plays a
position, and that's what I
want.
♪
you know, being an entrepreneur, that's what hustling taught me, because I ran it like a
business.
Because I ran it like a business. I understood it like a business.
Business. I understood it like a business. I treated my people that worked
for me and with me like
employees.
For me and with me like employees. You know what I'm saying?
Employees. You know what I'm saying? Because that's what I was
you know what I'm saying? Because that's what I was mocking it after.
I didn't know any better.
Mocking it after. I didn't know any better. I just knew how business was
ran.
And for me, wanting to be that
guy is almost like you took a
and for me, wanting to be that guy is almost like you took a position of leadership without
even knowing it yet.
Position of leadership without even knowing it yet. You know, I was a natural-born
leader, you know, when I was
you know, I was a natural-born leader, you know, when I was birthed.
Leader, you know, when I was birthed. But instead of leading my
cousins, you know, to break in
but instead of leading my cousins, you know, to break in to the neighbor's swimming pool,
I was leading my -- my -- my
hood to actually, like, you
know, living a better life,
and that entailed being a ceo on
the low, you know what I'm
saying?
The low, you know what I'm saying? And handle it like that, 'cause
a lot of things that I didn't do
and handle it like that, 'cause a lot of things that I didn't do around people that was getting
busy with me.
Around people that was getting busy with me. Like, I didn't drink, I didn't
smoke.
You know what I'm saying?
Smoke. You know what I'm saying? I didn't let them see me
you know what I'm saying? I didn't let them see me indulging in things because I
just wanted to always keep that
respect.
Just wanted to always keep that respect. I talked to them, but I kept it
on the surface, you know what
I'm saying?
On the surface, you know what I'm saying? I didn't let my right hand or my
left hand was doing.
For a long time, if I'm
keeping honest -- I don't even
for a long time, if I'm keeping honest -- I don't even think I told people this --
but my whole scheme was I was
always the man, but I would run
the game on the ogs and the
big homies like, "okay, y'all
give me y'all money, and I'll
go get it for you."
you know what I'm saying?
Go get it for you." you know what I'm saying? But I already had it.
You know what I'm saying? But I already had it. So they just give me they money,
but I already had it. So they just give me they money, you know, and I go, you know,
so they just give me they money, you know, and I go, you know, to my grandma's house, eat some
cereal, chill out for a minute,
and then, I come back with the
bag, you know what I mean?
And then, I come back with the bag, you know what I mean? That was my hustle.
Bag, you know what I mean? That was my hustle. But I already had it, you know,
that was my hustle. But I already had it, you know, 'cause the people that was older
but I already had it, you know, 'cause the people that was older than me that was looking out for
me, they trusted me enough to
let me do whatever.
Me, they trusted me enough to let me do whatever. In the beginning, it was like I
was with my parents, of course.
My father was in the military.
Was with my parents, of course. My father was in the military. A lot of people don't know that.
You know, he married my mom
a lot of people don't know that. You know, he married my mom young.
They was both out of the hood.
Young. They was both out of the hood. My father went to the military
they was both out of the hood. My father went to the military to kind of take care of the fam.
I was already born, of course.
To kind of take care of the fam. I was already born, of course. So, at a young age, I moved
around.
I lived in hawaii for a few.
Around. I lived in hawaii for a few. And I lived in japan.
And as I got a little older,
and I lived in japan. And as I got a little older, I would go off base to, like,
and as I got a little older, I would go off base to, like, steal things to send them back
to the states to make money.
Steal things to send them back to the states to make money. I was, you know, maybe 9, 10.
To the states to make money. I was, you know, maybe 9, 10. And I got kicked off the island,
so I had to go back to live with
and I got kicked off the island, so I had to go back to live with my grandmother.
So I had to go back to live with my grandmother. So when I went back to my
grandmother in the hood, you
so when I went back to my grandmother in the hood, you know, reality kicked in because
I'm back in the hood now, and I
was just living with my dad and
everything was, you know,
it was cool.
Everything was, you know, it was cool. My dad and my mom separated and
I had to live with my --
my dad and my mom separated and I had to live with my -- I went back to live with my mom.
But at the time, we just bumped
heads a lot because I was
but at the time, we just bumped heads a lot because I was learning who I was, and I was in
the streets at a young age.
Learning who I was, and I was in the streets at a young age. So she wasn't cool with that.
The streets at a young age. So she wasn't cool with that. And me and my mom lived in a
so she wasn't cool with that. And me and my mom lived in a single-wide trailer with my
and me and my mom lived in a single-wide trailer with my sister.
Single-wide trailer with my sister. It was like a single-wide
trailer, like, it's, you know.
Probably all of, you know,
1,000 square feet.
And the trailer was basically
$3,500, and I had already
and the trailer was basically $3,500, and I had already hustled up the money to give her
for the trailer, and I basically
paid for it, and she wondered
where I got the money from, but
I was helping my uncle, at the
time, do roofing.
And I was acting like I was
saving the money, but I was
and I was acting like I was saving the money, but I was going out and I was hustling.
Saving the money, but I was going out and I was hustling. And she basically gave me an
ultimatum, like, you know,
and she basically gave me an ultimatum, like, you know, "if you're not going to abide by
my rules, you got to go live
with your grandmother."
and I went back to live with my
grandmother, and that's when
reality just hit, you know what
I mean?
Reality just hit, you know what I mean? Like, it was like I got to fend
for myself.
♪
people are born with a set of
talents and skills that they
might not know until they
practice it.
Might not know until they practice it. I think, for me, I was born with
discipline.
I was born with ambition.
Discipline. I was born with ambition. Like, I feel it.
Like, I still have a fire in my
like, I feel it. Like, I still have a fire in my stomach to this day because I
like, I still have a fire in my stomach to this day because I know I get up every day and give
it everything I got, and I don't
have a product to sell.
It everything I got, and I don't have a product to sell. I'm basically going out here
with my ideas and making things
happen, and that's what you do
when you ambitious.
Happen, and that's what you do when you ambitious. The discipline comes in because
I seen so many people lose it
the discipline comes in because I seen so many people lose it all, including their freedom and
their life.
All, including their freedom and their life. I done paid for my funerals than
you can even count.
It got to one point, like, you
know, everybody around me was
it got to one point, like, you know, everybody around me was pretty much dead or in jail.
Know, everybody around me was pretty much dead or in jail. So, to me, I understood the
consequences of what I was doing
so, to me, I understood the consequences of what I was doing was death or jail.
Consequences of what I was doing was death or jail. I didn't want either, so that
entailed for me to be smart,
that entailed for me to be a
learner, that entailed for me to
be a listener, and that entailed
for me to be go into a room and
be able to just play the
position of, you know, a
follower and not let everybody
know that you the head of the
table.
Know that you the head of the table. You know what I'm saying?
Table. You know what I'm saying? It really took that.
♪
it really took that. ♪ it dawned me on me just, like,
you know, when I started to see
a lot of my friends go to
prison, I'm just sitting back
and I'm like, "what can I do
with my life that I can honestly
do and I can do it well?"
because I wanted to put my
sisters through school, through
college, which I did, and I
wanted to get my mom out the
hood and buy her a house, which
I did.
Hood and buy her a house, which I did. I bought my mom like three
houses.
And the only thing I could think
of was music because it came
and the only thing I could think of was music because it came from the hood.
Of was music because it came from the hood. The hood basically championed
whoever was the realest, and I
the hood basically championed whoever was the realest, and I understand that I had the tools
to let people know that this is
the life I'm really living if
you guys want the real.
The life I'm really living if you guys want the real. So it was a real risk because
the things that I was speaking
so it was a real risk because the things that I was speaking on was actually the truth, and a
lot of people thought I was dry
snitching or I was saying too
much, but I'm not a carpenter.
Snitching or I was saying too much, but I'm not a carpenter. I can't tell you about fixing
no roofs.
I'm not a mechanic.
No roofs. I'm not a mechanic. I can't tell you about the cars.
But I'm a hustler.
I can tell you everything you
but I'm a hustler. I can tell you everything you want to know about the streets,
and what I entailed was I took a
little bit out of tupac's book.
And what I entailed was I took a little bit out of tupac's book. So instead of me just saying,
you know, ignorant things, I
so instead of me just saying, you know, ignorant things, I would talk about things that I
really believed in, and that's
where the "thug motivation"
album came from, because I
actually felt like I was giving
back and helping people that
didn't see life like that.
Back and helping people that didn't see life like that. You know what I'm saying?
>> jeezy: When I grew up in this single-wide trailer with my mother, all of $3,500, the one
thing I did have is a radio.
Mother, all of $3,500, the one thing I did have is a radio. And every morning before school,
I would play master p, tupac,
and every morning before school, I would play master p, tupac, da brat.
It was like a religion.
Da brat. It was like a religion. That's the only thing that got
it was like a religion. That's the only thing that got me going in the morning was
that's the only thing that got me going in the morning was music.
Me going in the morning was music. I was actually learning from the
music, which is one reason why I
really loved tupac shakur
because he was ahead of his
time.
Because he was ahead of his time. He was a revolutionary.
Time. He was a revolutionary. So the things that he said to
he was a revolutionary. So the things that he said to me, they resonated well because
so the things that he said to me, they resonated well because he had morals and integrity.
Me, they resonated well because he had morals and integrity. Like, he was willing to die for
what he believed in.
And to me, I found that
fascinating because everybody
and to me, I found that fascinating because everybody where I was at was just living
to die.
Where I was at was just living to die. For nothing.
To die. For nothing. And it was just like, he took a
for nothing. And it was just like, he took a stand, saying, "this is what I
and it was just like, he took a stand, saying, "this is what I believe in."
and I never heard that before
because, coming from where I
came from, nobody believed in...
Because, coming from where I came from, nobody believed in... You know what I'm saying?
Came from, nobody believed in... You know what I'm saying? You know, nobody really had
you know what I'm saying? You know, nobody really had jobs.
Nobody really had money.
Jobs. Nobody really had money. Nobody really was thinking
nobody really had money. Nobody really was thinking about, you know, the community
nobody really was thinking about, you know, the community or the culture.
About, you know, the community or the culture. Like, I never heard that from my
parents or my uncle, like, "you
like, I never heard that from my parents or my uncle, like, "you got to take care of your
people.
Got to take care of your people. You got to stand for something."
like, it wasn't that.
Everybody was just so happy they
had the little bit they had and
everybody was just so happy they had the little bit they had and to be able to live, that they
didn't -- they didn't want to
fight for it.
Didn't -- they didn't want to fight for it. And I loved that he fought for
it.
So I learned what I learned
through music.
♪
actually, tupac died, that was
the last time I ever cried.
Actually, tupac died, that was the last time I ever cried. I'll never forget it.
The last time I ever cried. I'll never forget it. My cousin gold mouth came in the
room, I'm at my grandmother's
my cousin gold mouth came in the room, I'm at my grandmother's house, I'm sleeping in the back
room.
House, I'm sleeping in the back room. I finally got my money up.
Room. I finally got my money up. I got a safe in the closet, you
know.
I got my own, you know, thing
going, 'cause she built an
extension onto her house with
some money I gave her, of
course.
Some money I gave her, of course. And my cousin knocked on the
door, he's like, "yo, you heard
and my cousin knocked on the door, he's like, "yo, you heard what happened to your boy?"
and I was like, "who?"
he's like, "turn on the news."
and I saw it, and I was just,
like, you know, I never felt
like that.
Like, you know, I never felt like that. I felt like, you know, like --
like my brother had died.
You know what I mean?
Like my brother had died. You know what I mean? Because I believed everything he
you know what I mean? Because I believed everything he stood for, and I was just like,
because I believed everything he stood for, and I was just like, "why would they kill someone
that was for the people?"
and it's so crazy, like, you
know, not to jump -- not jump
on, but everybody that I've
known that's gotten killed in
this game that we in, they were
always for the people.
This game that we in, they were always for the people. You know, they the ones that end
up getting taken out, and not to
you know, they the ones that end up getting taken out, and not to compare, but I never felt
nothing like that before.
Compare, but I never felt nothing like that before. And it almost made me heartless,
you know what I'm saying?
It's like that's where my heart
froze.
You know, and tupac's morals and
rules still in my head today.
Like, I told my son, he was
like, "I want to rap," I said,
like, I told my son, he was like, "I want to rap," I said, "but are you willing to die for
it?
'cause it takes that.
It? 'cause it takes that. Like, you not just doing this
for money.
You have to know that,"
you know?
>> jeezy!
You know? >> jeezy! >> hey, jeezy, straight ahead.
[ indistinct speaking ]
nice, solid.
>> hold up right there.
Nice, solid. >> hold up right there. >> jeezy: It starts that I have
influence, and that's what it's
really about -- influence.
Influence, and that's what it's really about -- influence. I had influence because I was a
stand-up guy and people know
that I was really getting money.
Stand-up guy and people know that I was really getting money. You know what I'm saying?
That I was really getting money. You know what I'm saying? I was really in the hood.
I was really on the block, you
know what I mean?
And I had influence because I
was helping other people get
and I had influence because I was helping other people get money.
Was helping other people get money. So I'm showing them all this
stuff, and this is how it
so I'm showing them all this stuff, and this is how it starts.
Stuff, and this is how it starts. It starts with me believing in
myself, you know?
Starts --
and I model myself after cash
starts -- and I model myself after cash money, and then I had some
homeboys who ended up going to
the feds.
Homeboys who ended up going to the feds. They was from fort lauderdale.
The feds. They was from fort lauderdale. They had a group call s.O.P.
And, you know, it was basically
they had a group call s.O.P. And, you know, it was basically street guys, and they was trying
and, you know, it was basically street guys, and they was trying to rap.
Street guys, and they was trying to rap. And then I went to their studio
and they had this dope studio,
and then I went to their studio and they had this dope studio, and I'm just like, "man, I could
get one of these," so I went
back to atlanta and bought me a
studio.
Back to atlanta and bought me a studio. So then I went back and grabbed
some homies from the hood and
so then I went back and grabbed some homies from the hood and made a group.
Some homies from the hood and made a group. And then just sure enough, I was
investing all my money in it.
One guy locked up for murder.
Investing all my money in it. One guy locked up for murder. The other one got locked up for
one guy locked up for murder. The other one got locked up for something else.
And then the other one was just
really strung out on drugs real
and then the other one was just really strung out on drugs real bad, so I basically was stuck
with a studio with no artists,
and I had tied all my money up
in it.
And I had tied all my money up in it. I was really...Out.
In it. I was really...Out. And the thing was, I was always
sitting in the studio with them.
I would be in there more than
they would be.
You know what I'm saying?
They would be. You know what I'm saying? Like, I was more dedicated to
you know what I'm saying? Like, I was more dedicated to them than them.
So I started doing songs, but I
was a little shy at first.
And I remember telling myself,
"I'm gonna figure this out," so
and I remember telling myself, "I'm gonna figure this out," so my first couple projects was,
you know, they was -- they was
what I heard other people do.
You know, they was -- they was what I heard other people do. Like, I didn't have my own
identity.
And I just remember one day
going to partner's, was just
and I just remember one day going to partner's, was just like, "man, why don't you just
tell them about what you got
going on in real life?"
so I just went in the studio and
I just really sat down and did
some just -- some reflecting and
was like, "yo, man, I'm just
gonna talk about my life and
everything I got going on."
and I knew that what I had that
people didn't have was I really
had the streets, so I had all
the chicks in magic city and all
these strip clubs, because I
knew them personally.
These strip clubs, because I knew them personally. And I just was going there,
standing on the corner.
God bless the dead.
Standing on the corner. God bless the dead. My partner dj fernando was the
god bless the dead. My partner dj fernando was the dj there, and me and him got
my partner dj fernando was the dj there, and me and him got cool, you know what I'm saying?
Dj there, and me and him got cool, you know what I'm saying? Later on, he ended up getting
killed.
Somebody killed him at his house
when he was getting outside his
somebody killed him at his house when he was getting outside his car, and he told me one time
before, he was like, "yo, be
cool, 'cause somebody gonna kill
you out here."
and then he ended up getting
killed before me.
And then he ended up getting killed before me. Long story short, and I would go
in the club and he would just,
long story short, and I would go in the club and he would just, like, champion what I was doing.
In the club and he would just, like, champion what I was doing. You know what I'm saying?
Like, champion what I was doing. You know what I'm saying? And then slowly but surely, the
you know what I'm saying? And then slowly but surely, the girls got involved in it because
and then slowly but surely, the girls got involved in it because I was tipping them well, and
the next thing you know, like,
magic city was my -- was my hub.
The next thing you know, like, magic city was my -- was my hub. And if you know anything about
magic city, you got to know that
and if you know anything about magic city, you got to know that every hustler from every state,
every city, every country, every
gang member comes to this club
when they come to atlanta
because it's like business
central.
Because it's like business central. And I said, "if I can get these
people here to believe in what
and I said, "if I can get these people here to believe in what I'm doing, then I got
something."
and sure enough, that's when it
started sparking.
And sure enough, that's when it started sparking. I go in there, and, you know,
the girls would dancing to my
songs, and the next time I come
in there, a few people being in
there will start singing some
verses from my mixtapes.
There will start singing some verses from my mixtapes. And it just started from there,
and I was like, "you know what?
I got magic city, but if I can
get magic city, I can get the
rest of atlanta."
so what I would do was, there
was a club on the east side, and
they had Sunday night, so I
would go press up, you know,
3,000, 4,000 cds of my mixtape
and go there every Sunday and
just pass them out to everybody
and put them on everybody's
windshield.
And put them on everybody's windshield. And I did that for like six
months.
And that's where I got my first
show booked there.
So they call me and it was like,
"yo, who's the artist?"
so they call me and it was like, "yo, who's the artist?" but I'm telling -- I'm acting
like I'm the manager, it's me,
though.
Like I'm the manager, it's me, though. [ laughs ]
you know what I'm saying?
I'm like, "yeah, yeah, you know,
he hot out here.
Y'all want to book him, this is
what it's gonna cost."
y'all want to book him, this is what it's gonna cost." and I played them.
What it's gonna cost." and I played them. I was like, "you know what I'm
saying?"
I'm like, "y'all give $500, he
there."
it was like, "yeah, $500, cool."
so they gave me $500 for my
first show.
So they gave me $500 for my first show. So I went through there, I did a
show, of course.
It was terrible.
Show, of course. It was terrible. And I'll never forget, you know,
it was terrible. And I'll never forget, you know, I'm a street guy, I'm trying to
and I'll never forget, you know, I'm a street guy, I'm trying to come up, so I try to take it to
the west side.
Come up, so I try to take it to the west side. And I go in the club and it's a
club called the bounce.
And, of course, this is the side
of town t.I. Was from, so I go
and, of course, this is the side of town t.I. Was from, so I go in the club, you know what I'm
saying?
In the club, you know what I'm saying? They like, "you know, I pay him
to let me open up," so I come
they like, "you know, I pay him to let me open up," so I come out, you know, I do my two,
three songs.
Out, you know, I do my two, three songs. Nobody move, and I'll forget.
Three songs. Nobody move, and I'll forget. I just hear him get on the mic,
nobody move, and I'll forget. I just hear him get on the mic, "it's the king, homie."
I'm like, "oh..."
so he come out and he do "24's."
and the whole club going crazy,
and I just remember sitting
there and I just left.
And I just remember sitting there and I just left. I was like, "man, I got some
more work to do."
and I went back in, that's when
I did "trap or die."
you know what I'm saying?
And I did the same thing.
You know what I'm saying? And I did the same thing. I went and passed it out and
and I did the same thing. I went and passed it out and gave it away because my whole
mentality was I'm gonna put my
heart and soul in this music
because I might end up going to
prison or I might not be living
for people to know what I'm
talking about anyway, so this is
my only shot and I'm gonna give
it to anybody that wants to hear
it because I know it's just like
the streets.
It because I know it's just like the streets. If you give out good product,
they gonna come back, and that
if you give out good product, they gonna come back, and that was my whole thing.
They gonna come back, and that was my whole thing. I passed out "trap or die."
I probably gave away about
200,000 or 300,000 cds.
Yeah.
>> jeezy: When I did "boyz n the hood," true story, I swear to god, we did a show at a club
in atlanta, and I'll never
forget.
In atlanta, and I'll never forget. I show up to the show, and I got
all these chains on
and, you know, I'm really
straight-up out of thugging and
doing what I do, and I go in
there and we got on the stage
and we do the show, we do them
boys, and like one more song we
had.
Boys, and like one more song we had. And the guy that was managing
the group at the time gave us
and the guy that was managing the group at the time gave us like $100 apiece.
The group at the time gave us like $100 apiece. I'm just like, "what the..."
[ laughs ] you know what I'm
saying?
So I was just like, "what is
going on?"
so I was just like, "what is going on?" you know what I mean?
Going on?" you know what I mean? Like, yo, we got a --
you know what I mean?
Like, I can't be -- it cost me
more to put on my cologne, you
like, I can't be -- it cost me more to put on my cologne, you know what I mean?
More to put on my cologne, you know what I mean? Like, that's how I'm thinking.
Know what I mean? Like, that's how I'm thinking. But I want to be in a legitimate
like, that's how I'm thinking. But I want to be in a legitimate place so bad, I'm going along
but I want to be in a legitimate place so bad, I'm going along with it, but I'm also looking
the business down the line and
I'm going, you know, "it doesn't
make sense, business-wise, to be
in the group that long when I
know I'm trying to build legacy
over here."
>> jeezy: What I'll never forget. I was shooting a bleu da vinci
video, and fab, who I had met
in magic city, was out there
and was shooting his video for
bleu, and fab was like --
actually, he played me
"breathe."
that was the first time I heard
"breathe."
he played it in the car for me,
and I was like, "yo...Crazy."
and then he was like -- I was
like, "I got a studio session,"
you know what I'm saying?
Like, "I got a studio session," you know what I'm saying? He was like, "yo, I got this
song I'm working on.
I don't have a hook for it."
you know, he played me
"do the damn thing," and I was
like -- he was like -- he just
want a hook, but in my mind, I
was like, "okay, I'mma put this
hook on there, but I'mma put me
a verse on here, too."
so by the time he came back in
the room, I put my hook and my
verse on there, so he couldn't
say no.
Verse on there, so he couldn't say no. And that was like the first
feature -- the first major
and that was like the first feature -- the first major feature I got, and when they
came in the room, all of them
heard and they went crazy.
Came in the room, all of them heard and they went crazy. So that was going on
simultaneously.
Kim porter hit me, and ebony hit
me 'cause they knew my cousin,
kim porter hit me, and ebony hit me 'cause they knew my cousin, the one that was running the
city before.
The one that was running the city before. He had just got out of the feds.
City before. He had just got out of the feds. And she's like, "yo, we want to
he had just got out of the feds. And she's like, "yo, we want to get you in this group," and I'm
and she's like, "yo, we want to get you in this group," and I'm like, "a'ight, what group is
this?"
she's like, "it's a group we're
doing for puff."
I'm like, "alright, cool, I'm
gonna come by the studio."
so I go into the studio, 'course
I pull up in a ferrari.
So I go into the studio, 'course I pull up in a ferrari. And we go in the room and
trick daddy there, jazze pha
and we go in the room and trick daddy there, jazze pha there, big zach, and, of course,
the group,
and they introduce me to
everybody.
And they introduce me to everybody. And they working on "dem boyz."
and I'm like, "a'ight," so I
and they working on "dem boyz." and I'm like, "a'ight," so I went in the booth.
And I'm like, "a'ight," so I went in the booth. They was like, "this the song
we're working on."
they was like, "this the song we're working on." I'm like, "a'ight, cool," so I
go in there.
So it takes me a while, 'cause I
got to feel the room 'cause I
so it takes me a while, 'cause I got to feel the room 'cause I really don't know everybody.
Got to feel the room 'cause I really don't know everybody. You know what I'm saying?
Really don't know everybody. You know what I'm saying? Like, I wasn't that cool with
you know what I'm saying? Like, I wasn't that cool with trick and them yet.
So I go in there, and I'm
writing my verse, and I hear
so I go in there, and I'm writing my verse, and I hear everybody talking, "why it
taking him so long?
Everybody talking, "why it taking him so long? He's supposed to be hot.
Taking him so long? He's supposed to be hot. Ooh."
he's supposed to be hot. Ooh." all this is going on, and they
ooh." all this is going on, and they actually leave the room 'cause
I'm taking so long.
Actually leave the room 'cause I'm taking so long. So then what I would do is when
I got in the booth, I would
so then what I would do is when I got in the booth, I would break my cadences so that I
could put my ad libs and then
fillings in, 'cause that's what
gave me my sauce.
Fillings in, 'cause that's what gave me my sauce. But also, that's what I did
because I didn't know how to
but also, that's what I did because I didn't know how to record, you know what I'm
saying?
Record, you know what I'm saying? So when I got done, I went in
the hallway and I liked to have
so when I got done, I went in the hallway and I liked to have them turn it all the way up and
listen to it in the hallway so
I could hear the sonics.
Listen to it in the hallway so I could hear the sonics. By the time I said "bring the
stack," everybody in that studio
by the time I said "bring the stack," everybody in that studio was standing in that hallway
amazed, like, "what in the..."
you know what I mean?
Amazed, like, "what in the..." you know what I mean? Like, everybody was tripping.
You know what I mean? Like, everybody was tripping. And, you know, to me, I'm just
like, everybody was tripping. And, you know, to me, I'm just like, "are they bugging?"
and, you know, to me, I'm just like, "are they bugging?" you know what I mean?
Like, "are they bugging?" you know what I mean? Like, "they just really want me
in the group?"
like, "they just really want me in the group?" and I didn't understand, but
when they played the whole
verse, I just saw it on
everybody's face, they was just
like, "yo, he the truth.
Everybody's face, they was just like, "yo, he the truth. He really know what he talking
about."
he really know what he talking about." and they let it play on the
radio like it was just a regular
song, and that's how I got over,
'cause nobody had ever heard
that.
And I just remember trick and
them sitting me down, just like,
and I just remember trick and them sitting me down, just like, "what are you doing with these
mixtapes with jazze and them?"
I was like, "I'm giving them
away."
he's like, "man, that's the
biggest mistake you ever made in
your life, giving your music
away."
and I stand here today to say
that businessman to get here
where I'm at told me back then
that that was gonna be the best
decision I ever made because
right now, today, I could stand
on any stage and do those same
songs because I built real
belief in the people who really
rock with me because I gave them
what I had, and that goes back
to what my grandmother always
told me.
To what my grandmother always told me. "if you ever want somebody to do
something for you, do something
for them first."
♪
how I met puff was one of my
partners through his birthday
party at justin's.
Partners through his birthday party at justin's. And puff was the host.
Party at justin's. And puff was the host. And he had been hearing about
and puff was the host. And he had been hearing about me, and so he came.
He was hosting the party.
Me, and so he came. He was hosting the party. He had the same watch on, and we
he was hosting the party. He had the same watch on, and we was tripping about that.
And we just chopped it up real
quick, you know what I'm saying?
Just kept it player.
Quick, you know what I'm saying? Just kept it player. But as time went on, I would
just kept it player. But as time went on, I would just, like, see him places.
And this is about the time I was
actually going to sign to
and this is about the time I was actually going to sign to boyz n da hood.
Actually going to sign to boyz n da hood. So we to new york with the
group.
So we sat in there.
Group. So we sat in there. I just kept -- I kept telling
so we sat in there. I just kept -- I kept telling them, I was like, "yo, I'm gonna
do the deal, but I'm only gonna
do one album.
Do the deal, but I'm only gonna do one album. And then, this is what I want."
you know what I'm saying?
By this time, def jam is trying
to sign me and the
by this time, def jam is trying to sign me and the boys n da hood thing is
happening 'cause I'm on the
record now.
Happening 'cause I'm on the record now. You know what I'm saying?
Record now. You know what I'm saying? So, simultaneously, I negotiated
you know what I'm saying? So, simultaneously, I negotiated two deals by myself.
I didn't even have a lawyer.
Two deals by myself. I didn't even have a lawyer. 'cause now kevin liles signed me
to def jam.
He was signing me to def jam,
and he was on his way out, and I
he was signing me to def jam, and he was on his way out, and I didn't know it.
And he was on his way out, and I didn't know it. And jay-z became the new
president at the same time I was
and jay-z became the new president at the same time I was doing the bad boyz deal.
President at the same time I was doing the bad boyz deal. So puff and jay cool.
Doing the bad boyz deal. So puff and jay cool. So now I'm like telling jay that
so puff and jay cool. So now I'm like telling jay that I'm going to do this and telling
so now I'm like telling jay that I'm going to do this and telling puff that I'm gonna tell jay
I'm gonna do that.
Puff that I'm gonna tell jay I'm gonna do that. So, anyway, we did the deal, and
I'll forget, puff called me,
so, anyway, we did the deal, and I'll forget, puff called me, like, maybe like 20 times one
night.
Like, maybe like 20 times one night. It was like a Monday.
Night. It was like a Monday. So I'm going to
it was like a Monday. So I'm going to magic city Monday.
You know I'm saying?
Magic city Monday. You know I'm saying? I just got my 911 out,
you know I'm saying? I just got my 911 out, white-on-white, about to hit
magic city up, and puff called
me like a hundred times.
Magic city up, and puff called me like a hundred times. He was like, "yo, jeezy, go to
kinko's, get the contract,
he was like, "yo, jeezy, go to kinko's, get the contract, sign it, and fax it back to me."
and I'm like, "yo, man.
Sign it, and fax it back to me." and I'm like, "yo, man. I'm about to go in the club.
And I'm like, "yo, man. I'm about to go in the club. I'm not about to sign no
contract and send it back
through kinko's."
and he kept calling and kept
calling.
And he kept calling and kept calling. And we laugh about it all
the time.
So, I love music because
everything I ever learned that
so, I love music because everything I ever learned that was life-changing for me came
from music.
Was life-changing for me came from music. I understood it was a vehicle
when it took me around the world
and it connected me with people
that I would have never been
connected with.
That I would have never been connected with. And I was able to do things that
I wouldn't have normally been
and I was able to do things that I wouldn't have normally been able to do because now I got a
different type of influence.
Able to do because now I got a different type of influence. But also, morally, I understand
that I'm -- it's a position of
but also, morally, I understand that I'm -- it's a position of leadership, as well.
That I'm -- it's a position of leadership, as well. So I can't just do it and get
the money and not have the
so I can't just do it and get the money and not have the integrity.
The money and not have the integrity. You know what I'm saying?
Integrity. You know what I'm saying? But I do love music.
Right now, today, I listen to
but I do love music. Right now, today, I listen to any genre you think of,
right now, today, I listen to any genre you think of, you know what I mean?
Any genre you think of, you know what I mean? My homeboys leave my house on
the weekend 'cause I want to
my homeboys leave my house on the weekend 'cause I want to listen to, you know, loose ends
and all that because I grew up
on that when I was with my
uncles.
On that when I was with my uncles. But then, I can go all the way
up to, you know, to lil durk.
You know what I mean?
Up to, you know, to lil durk. You know what I mean? I'm all in between, like, and I
you know what I mean? I'm all in between, like, and I love music.
I love to make music 'cause it's
my form of art, but at the same
time, I think that god had a
bigger plan for me, because I
know a lot of people that do
music got caught up, and they're
not here anymore.
Music got caught up, and they're not here anymore. And I've been in those same
situations, but somehow I made
and I've been in those same situations, but somehow I made it, so I know he got a bigger
play for me.
It, so I know he got a bigger play for me. And I got to focus on that.
>> jeezy: Mental connection to me is, like, everything. You know what I'm saying?
Me is, like, everything. You know what I'm saying? Like, that's where it stops and
you know what I'm saying? Like, that's where it stops and ends for me.
You know what I'm saying?
Ends for me. You know what I'm saying? And with me and hov, mentally we
you know what I'm saying? And with me and hov, mentally we was connected because, even if
and with me and hov, mentally we was connected because, even if we wasn't doing music, we would
rock with each other, in a
sense, because we both have old
souls and we both came from the
same struggle.
Souls and we both came from the same struggle. But the only thing is his
struggle started before mine.
He started walking his path
before me.
So, I have to look at somebody
like that how we look at
so, I have to look at somebody like that how we look at somebody in the hood who was
already getting money before
I was.
Already getting money before I was. I'm like, "how you do this and
stay out?"
you know, the crazy thing, like,
me and hov don't even talk about
music.
Me and hov don't even talk about music. Rarely, it's, like, rare.
Music. Rarely, it's, like, rare. You know what I'm saying?
It's like one of them --
you know what I'm saying? It's like one of them -- one of them things.
I remember riding with hov one
day from --
we was in new york, and we was
doing something at the office.
We was in new york, and we was doing something at the office. He was like, "yo, come roll with
me," and I got in back of the
he was like, "yo, come roll with me," and I got in back of the maybach with him.
Me," and I got in back of the maybach with him. And we was rolling.
Maybach with him. And we was rolling. And we was riding by
and we was rolling. And we was riding by central park, and he's like,
and we was riding by central park, and he's like, "you know what?
Central park, and he's like, "you know what? I've been here my whole life,
and I've never been to that
place."
and what I took from that is
he's so focused on, you know,
doing and being what he is that
something as peaceful as a park,
he never took a minute to go
over there and just enjoy that
peace of mind.
Over there and just enjoy that peace of mind. And that meant a lot to me
because I'm looking at it like
and that meant a lot to me because I'm looking at it like that's something I strive for.
Because I'm looking at it like that's something I strive for. I'm a libra, so I'm all about
that.
But my past had so much turmoil,
so much destruction and
but my past had so much turmoil, so much destruction and devastation in it that what I
got from what he was saying is
you are who you are now.
Got from what he was saying is you are who you are now. You know what I'm saying?
You are who you are now. You know what I'm saying? But just because you are that,
you know what I'm saying? But just because you are that, don't be afraid to have your
but just because you are that, don't be afraid to have your peace.
Don't be afraid to have your peace. Right around the time, you know,
we went on tour together, I had
right around the time, you know, we went on tour together, I had an incident happen where my
whole crew got locked up.
An incident happen where my whole crew got locked up. So, for the rest of the tour,
I was coming to do my show
so, for the rest of the tour, I was coming to do my show by myself.
[ laughs ] I had no stage
manager, I ain't had no manager,
I ain't had no nothing.
Manager, I ain't had no manager, I ain't had no nothing. It was just me, and I would just
show up.
But in my mind, he was like,
"yo, you need to talk?"
but in my mind, he was like, "yo, you need to talk?" I was just like...
And he did that a few times.
Like when everybody, you know, I
and he did that a few times. Like when everybody, you know, I had some things going on in the
like when everybody, you know, I had some things going on in the street where everybody got
indicted and all these things
were really happening and it was
real, you know, the label turned
their back on me.
Real, you know, the label turned their back on me. They did, they wouldn't pick up
my calls, they wasn't trying to
they did, they wouldn't pick up my calls, they wasn't trying to hear what I was saying.
My calls, they wasn't trying to hear what I was saying. And hov called me.
Hear what I was saying. And hov called me. He's like, "yo, you need to
and hov called me. He's like, "yo, you need to talk, come to my office."
he's like, "yo, you need to talk, come to my office." and I went to his office, and we
just sat --
of course, I can't say what he
said, but we just talked, and I
just walked out of there like,
you know, that's why I really
rock with him.
You know, that's why I really rock with him. You know what I'm saying?
Rock with him. You know what I'm saying? Me and hov done been in some,
you know what I'm saying? Me and hov done been in some, like -- you know, a lot of
me and hov done been in some, like -- you know, a lot of people don't know.
Like -- you know, a lot of people don't know. Like, we've been in some
fistfights and everything.
You know what I'm saying?
Fistfights and everything. You know what I'm saying? Like, you know, some things
you know what I'm saying? Like, you know, some things popped off in vegas.
God bless the dear
shakir stewart, my brother.
And I got to say, hov got hands.
Shakir stewart, my brother. And I got to say, hov got hands. 'cause me and him was getting
and I got to say, hov got hands. 'cause me and him was getting down, we was back to back.
You know what I mean?
Down, we was back to back. You know what I mean? And I heard his assistant say,
you know what I mean? And I heard his assistant say, "jay, get in the car!"
and I heard his assistant say, "jay, get in the car!" he was like, "I ain't leaving
jeezy."
I was like, "y'all rock with
me," you know what I'm saying?
So we've been through that.
Me," you know what I'm saying? So we've been through that. And you know, for me, I just
so we've been through that. And you know, for me, I just respect somebody who has enough
and you know, for me, I just respect somebody who has enough respect for themselves not to
lose their integrity to please
people.
Lose their integrity to please people. You know what I'm saying?
People. You know what I'm saying? That's the biggest thing I see
you know what I'm saying? That's the biggest thing I see in him.
You got to have tough skin.
In him. You got to have tough skin. You know, anybody can be
you got to have tough skin. You know, anybody can be an artist, anybody can be a
you know, anybody can be an artist, anybody can be a rapper, but when you start
talking about life changing and
being in the position that, you
know, most of us never thought
would even be humanly possible
and balancing all that and not
losing yourself -- you know what
I'm saying? -- Like, that takes
a special type of skin, and I
think there's only a few of us
that really have that.
Think there's only a few of us that really have that. You know what I'm saying?
That really have that. You know what I'm saying? Because, you know, to be a
you know what I'm saying? Because, you know, to be a leader is like that, you know.
You going to take some hits.
Leader is like that, you know. You going to take some hits. You know, people ain't gonna
you going to take some hits. You know, people ain't gonna understand your vision -- you
you know, people ain't gonna understand your vision -- you know what I'm saying? -- Until
it's time.
Know what I'm saying? -- Until it's time. A lot of people didn't see my
vision, but they didn't know
a lot of people didn't see my vision, but they didn't know this is how I wanted to sit
here.
This is how I wanted to sit here. How many dickies suits can I
own, you know what I'm saying?
At one time, I had a thousand
pair of chuck taylors.
Air force 1 should have gave
me some stock in there.
You know what I'm saying?
Me some stock in there. You know what I'm saying? But at the same time, it's like
you know what I'm saying? But at the same time, it's like people don't want you to change,
but at the same time, it's like people don't want you to change, and it's just like my vision is
my vision.
And it's just like my vision is my vision. You know what I'm saying?
My vision. You know what I'm saying? How I see myself is how I see
you know what I'm saying? How I see myself is how I see myself, you know what I mean?
And how you see yourself, that's
how you see yourself.
What you want to be, those are
your goals and your dreams, so
what you want to be, those are your goals and your dreams, so you can't knock mine because you
want me to stay in a certain
place so that you're comfortable
with who you are.
Place so that you're comfortable with who you are. There's more to life than that.
With who you are. There's more to life than that. You know what I mean?
Like, you think barack obama
you know what I mean? Like, you think barack obama just gonna be the president and
like, you think barack obama just gonna be the president and he done, it's over with?
Just gonna be the president and he done, it's over with? Like, you know what I mean?
He done, it's over with? Like, you know what I mean? Like, he ain't got nothing else
like, you know what I mean? Like, he ain't got nothing else he wants to do?
Like, you know what I mean?
He wants to do? Like, you know what I mean? It don't work like that.
>> jeezy: "verzuz" is like this. Like, you know, there's a lot to that story.
You know what I mean?
That story. You know what I mean? We can get into the street
you know what I mean? We can get into the street aspect of it, but there's no
we can get into the street aspect of it, but there's no need.
Aspect of it, but there's no need. "verzuz" was about the music.
Need. "verzuz" was about the music. That's how I took it.
You know, let's take them back
that's how I took it. You know, let's take them back there.
Both of us are original.
There. Both of us are original. Like, we -- you know, are we
both of us are original. Like, we -- you know, are we gonna kill each other on
like, we -- you know, are we gonna kill each other on livestream?
Gonna kill each other on livestream? Is that gonna do it?
Livestream? Is that gonna do it? You know what I'm saying?
So -- and I still ain't got no
you know what I'm saying? So -- and I still ain't got no ill will.
I know a lot of people sent
back, like, you know, like, "it
went this way, it went that
way," but the people who love
me, love me.
Way," but the people who love me, love me. You know what I'm saying?
Me, love me. You know what I'm saying? Like, you know, I'm solid.
Everybody know that.
There ain't nothing to dispute.
But, you know, a true act of
there ain't nothing to dispute. But, you know, a true act of bravery is being the first one
but, you know, a true act of bravery is being the first one to do something and stand on it
with no regrets.
To do something and stand on it with no regrets. Like, I don't got none.
With no regrets. Like, I don't got none. I still walk around with my head
like, I don't got none. I still walk around with my head high.
You know what I'm saying?
High. You know what I'm saying? But at the same time, I still
you know what I'm saying? But at the same time, I still walked away with my integrity,
but at the same time, I still walked away with my integrity, too, because I'm coming up
there -- and it's crazy.
Too, because I'm coming up there -- and it's crazy. And I'm gonna say this.
There -- and it's crazy. And I'm gonna say this. Nobody heard me say that.
Magic city was what I chose
nobody heard me say that. Magic city was what I chose because that's what made me.
You understand what I'm saying?
Because that's what made me. You understand what I'm saying? Like, that building made me,
you understand what I'm saying? Like, that building made me, protected me.
Magic is, like, my uncle I never
had.
I would never do anything to
disrespect magic.
But those walls made me who I
am.
That's where I felt the safest.
Am. That's where I felt the safest. That's where I felt the most
that's where I felt the safest. That's where I felt the most confident.
But the same person who helped
build me there, dj fernando,
but the same person who helped build me there, dj fernando, was one of my friends, was
actually killed, that really --
you know, his soul is there.
Actually killed, that really -- you know, his soul is there. And if I'm honest, like, I felt
it when I walked in, you know?
You know what to do.
It when I walked in, you know? You know what to do. Don't let nobody take you off
you know what to do. Don't let nobody take you off your square, man.
Just do right, and that's it.
Your square, man. Just do right, and that's it. And that's what I did, you know?
Wasn't thought out, wasn't
and that's what I did, you know? Wasn't thought out, wasn't playing out.
It was just -- that's how I
feel.
You know what I mean?
Feel. You know what I mean? So, for me, you know, I'm gonna
you know what I mean? So, for me, you know, I'm gonna keep my integrity.
I'm gonna stand on what I
believe, you know?
Yeah.
Believe, you know? Yeah. You got to believe in what you
yeah. You got to believe in what you stand on, and, to me, it's just
you got to believe in what you stand on, and, to me, it's just like -- you know, it is what it
is.
Like -- you know, it is what it is. It's music.
Is. It's music. You know what I'm saying?
It's -- it's culture.
You know?
I mean, you look at ross.
We had misunderstandings that
wasn't even misunderstandings.
You know what I'm saying?
Wasn't even misunderstandings. You know what I'm saying? But when we sit down, we sit
you know what I'm saying? But when we sit down, we sit down as men.
I respect that.
Down as men. I respect that. You know what I'm saying?
We worked that out.
We sat in the room and chopped
we worked that out. We sat in the room and chopped it up, like, "oh, you say --
we sat in the room and chopped it up, like, "oh, you say -- oh, come on, man. I ain't no --"
you know what I mean?
Oh, come on, man. I ain't no --" you know what I mean? It got to that.
You know what I mean? It got to that. But you would be selfish to make
it got to that. But you would be selfish to make it about you and not the
but you would be selfish to make it about you and not the culture.
It about you and not the culture. People want to see, you know,
what they see.
And I always go back to, you
know -- I know it might sound
and I always go back to, you know -- I know it might sound crazy, but do you know what it
would have been like if 'pac and
big could have gotten in a room
and figured something out?
Big could have gotten in a room and figured something out? You know, you know where our
culture would be at now?
'cause that's where
the...Started from.
That's -- all this stemmed from
that, you know?
That's the only example we had.
That, you know? That's the only example we had. You know what I'm saying?
So, that's what we took out
you know what I'm saying? So, that's what we took out that, even myself.
It was like, "I'm doing what
'pac would have did."
it was like, "I'm doing what 'pac would have did." you know what I'm saying?
I'm like, "yeah, however you
want to do this."
you know, we can fight dogs,
race cars, shoot guns.
You know, we can fight dogs, race cars, shoot guns. I'm down.
Race cars, shoot guns. I'm down. You know what I'm saying?
But at the same time, I had a
you know what I'm saying? But at the same time, I had a chance to make a difference.
And I just think if 'pac and big
could have got in a room, our
and I just think if 'pac and big could have got in a room, our culture would probably be in a
whole different place right now.
Culture would probably be in a whole different place right now. ♪
my ma taught me a lot of things.
She taught me to be fearless.
My ma taught me a lot of things. She taught me to be fearless. She taught me to be a survivor.
And of course she gave me tough
she taught me to be a survivor. And of course she gave me tough love, but it also gave me tough
and of course she gave me tough love, but it also gave me tough skin.
Love, but it also gave me tough skin. And, you know, I strive every
day.
And like I told her, you know,
"I'm gonna get you a house,
and like I told her, you know, "I'm gonna get you a house, mama."
I got out the trailer.
Mama." I got out the trailer. I bought her, you know, two,
three different houses, you
know, until the last one I got
her.
Know, until the last one I got her. And my whole goal in life -- you
know what I'm saying? -- Was to
and my whole goal in life -- you know what I'm saying? -- Was to make her proud, you know, 'cause
I was the one that didn't
graduate from school.
But one thing that always stuck
with me -- and I should have
but one thing that always stuck with me -- and I should have said it earlier -- is that my
auntie told me back then that,
"you got something a lot of
people ain't got."
and I was like, "what's that?"
she's like, "you're
street-smart."
and that always stuck with me.
Street-smart." and that always stuck with me. And I think I got that from my
mom 'cause my mom was very
and I think I got that from my mom 'cause my mom was very street-savvy.
Mom 'cause my mom was very street-savvy. And, for me, you know, for her
to see me live my dreams and
and, for me, you know, for her to see me live my dreams and achieve my goals and be at peace
and be who I am as a man, as a
solid man, the way she raised
me, I'm at peace -- you know
what I'm saying? -- Because
the only thing I do regret is,
when I was in the streets, is
that I gave myself an ultimatum,
meaning that I didn't really
open my heart in ways that I
could have as a son because I
felt that if I detached myself,
that if I went to prison or got
killed, it would be easier for
her -- you see what I'm
saying? -- And my family.
Her -- you see what I'm saying? -- And my family. But here we go again.
Saying? -- And my family. But here we go again. I'm gonna show you how god work.
When I got on my rap career and
I started doing things and doing
when I got on my rap career and I started doing things and doing shows and things that I would be
proud of, she would be the first
person to call me.
Proud of, she would be the first person to call me. Just like my sister showed me,
you know, after she passed, all
just like my sister showed me, you know, after she passed, all the magazine articles and all
the things that she saved.
The magazine articles and all the things that she saved. But when my rap career started
and I figured out my life was
but when my rap career started and I figured out my life was the moment that I was able to
really embrace my mother because
I didn't have a fear of being
tooken away from here.
You know what I'm saying?
Tooken away from here. You know what I'm saying? So, that's how god work.
He gives you things, and he
so, that's how god work. He gives you things, and he gives you people.
So, the only regret that I have
is that time that I could have
so, the only regret that I have is that time that I could have been when I was supposed to have
been, mentally I wasn't there.
Been when I was supposed to have been, mentally I wasn't there. But after that, like, our
relationship was dope -- you
but after that, like, our relationship was dope -- you know what I'm saying? -- Until
she passed.
Know what I'm saying? -- Until she passed. And, you know, I think for the
lost time, we made up a lot,
and, you know, I think for the lost time, we made up a lot, you know?
Lost time, we made up a lot, you know? And, you know, I know my mom.
You know? And, you know, I know my mom. She a fighter.
Like, even when I get in there,
she a fighter. Like, even when I get in there, I hear her, like, "boy, you
like, even when I get in there, I hear her, like, "boy, you better go figure that out.
You better put your head up and
your chest out.
What you doing?"
and that's what I do because she
what you doing?" and that's what I do because she raised me that way, and the
morals she instilled in me --
I still use them to this day,
for sure.
>> jeezy: I just think we had the same path, you know, and god puts people in your life.
The same path, you know, and god puts people in your life. Like, you know, no matter, you
know, what the circumstances,
like, you know, no matter, you know, what the circumstances, you just got to be ready for it.
Know, what the circumstances, you just got to be ready for it. And for me, it was just like,
even though we were from two
and for me, it was just like, even though we were from two different cultures, we've been
through the same walk of life.
Different cultures, we've been through the same walk of life. You know what I'm saying?
Through the same walk of life. You know what I'm saying? Like, her parents are immigrants
you know what I'm saying? Like, her parents are immigrants and, you know, she had a humble
like, her parents are immigrants and, you know, she had a humble beginning just like I did.
And, you know, she had a humble beginning just like I did. You know, they came in, they
had nothing either, and we both,
you know, they came in, they had nothing either, and we both, you know, just figured our way
out.
You know, just figured our way out. And it's just like everything
I did in life led me to her.
And I feel it's vice versa.
And one thing I can say is, when
and I feel it's vice versa. And one thing I can say is, when you know, you just know.
You know what I'm saying?
You know, you just know. You know what I'm saying? It's a different type of energy.
And I've been through situations
it's a different type of energy. And I've been through situations before where I was just, you
and I've been through situations before where I was just, you know, going through the motions
of life, and mentally, you just
know when you click with
somebody and you got the same
level and you guys are on the
same page, you know, you're able
to do amazing things and create
an amazing legacy.
To do amazing things and create an amazing legacy. Yeah.
>> jeezy: I want to lead by example. I want to do and be everything
that I ever thought I could be
'cause I don't ever want to
wake up one day and live with
regrets.
Wake up one day and live with regrets. I don't want to be that guy, you
know, on my deathbed saying,
"if only I had more time, I
maybe would have tried this, I
might have wanted to try that."
and for me, I'm all about giving
back.
And for me, I'm all about giving back. So the more I have, the more I'm
able to give back to my people,
so the more I have, the more I'm able to give back to my people, back to my community, just
showing people from my walk of
life and from the streets that
the sky is really the limit.
Life and from the streets that the sky is really the limit. Like, you really can be what you
inspired to be if you willing to
like, you really can be what you inspired to be if you willing to have the discipline, make the
sacrifices, and live with
integrity.
Sacrifices, and live with integrity. There's all these different
things, and you got to fight
there's all these different things, and you got to fight through it.
Things, and you got to fight through it. And if anything, I just want to
be the poster child for the
and if anything, I just want to be the poster child for the have-nots.
Be the poster child for the have-nots. You know, I want to be the guy
that say, you know,
you know, I want to be the guy that say, you know, "jeezy did it," 'cause they saw
me on the block with them,
you know?
Me on the block with them, you know? ♪
mentally, for me, I'm just
thirsty.
Mentally, for me, I'm just thirsty. You know what I'm saying?
Thirsty. You know what I'm saying? Like, I just have a thirst for
you know what I'm saying? Like, I just have a thirst for knowledge.
And one thing that I realized
early on -- 'cause I thought my
and one thing that I realized early on -- 'cause I thought my story was, like, just the
illest.
Story was, like, just the illest. Like, "I've been through this.
Illest. Like, "I've been through this. You never know, you know, what
like, "I've been through this. You never know, you know, what grew with that, all this stuff."
you never know, you know, what grew with that, all this stuff." and I had to sit back and look
at people who even made it
legitimately.
At people who even made it legitimately. Like, they've been through hell.
Legitimately. Like, they've been through hell. You know, and they learned a lot
like, they've been through hell. You know, and they learned a lot of things along the way.
So, I wanted to show my culture
that it's okay to learn and not
so, I wanted to show my culture that it's okay to learn and not be the smartest person in the
room and, at the same time,
share the knowledge.
Room and, at the same time, share the knowledge. The message is to put yourself
in such a position that people
the message is to put yourself in such a position that people don't mind having the
conversation with you and giving
you the knowledge.
Conversation with you and giving you the knowledge. And the goal was to get this
knowledge -- because I still
and the goal was to get this knowledge -- because I still need it -- but to share it with
the culture at the same time.
Need it -- but to share it with the culture at the same time. So, instead of me taking it for
myself and saying, "I'm gonna
so, instead of me taking it for myself and saying, "I'm gonna keep building this," it's like,
"yo, you're gonna talk to me,
but that means you're talking
to us."
it's like everybody got a story.
To us." it's like everybody got a story. You know what I'm saying?
It's like everybody got a story. You know what I'm saying? It ain't just the "monetary"
you know what I'm saying? It ain't just the "monetary" story.
I'm just saying, everybody went
through the "nos" and the people
telling them -- like, even for
me to talk to steve harvey,
telling me, like, he used to
sleep in his car.
Telling me, like, he used to sleep in his car. I -- I ain't never slept in the
car.
Even if I did, was trapping.
Car. Even if I did, was trapping. You understand what I'm saying?
Like, I ain't never, like, slept
you understand what I'm saying? Like, I ain't never, like, slept in the car 'cause I didn't have
like, I ain't never, like, slept in the car 'cause I didn't have nowhere to stay.
In the car 'cause I didn't have nowhere to stay. So, I'm just like, "how did that
feel?
Like, what did that -- what did
that -- what kind of fire did
like, what did that -- what did that -- what kind of fire did that build in you?"
and I think, you know, everybody
has a story about adversity.
And I think, you know, everybody has a story about adversity. And for me, like, I just want to
hear it so I can learn from it,
and for me, like, I just want to hear it so I can learn from it, but I also want to share it with
my people.
But I also want to share it with my people. I'm a god-fearing man that has
purpose -- you know what I'm
saying? -- And just understands
that there's always more to life
and there's always room to grow.
That there's always more to life and there's always room to grow. And you're never gonna know
everything.
And I've been through some
things, but I'm not afraid to
and I've been through some things, but I'm not afraid to heal.
Things, but I'm not afraid to heal. I'm not afraid to learn.
Heal. I'm not afraid to learn. I'm not afraid to understand.
I'm not afraid to express
myself.
You know what I'm saying?
Myself. You know what I'm saying? And, to me, as a father -- you
you know what I'm saying? And, to me, as a father -- you know, you have some fathers that
and, to me, as a father -- you know, you have some fathers that are, you know, professors at
college and can really give
their kids, you know, advice
about data.
Their kids, you know, advice about data. My kids get from me how to be
genuinely you, how to be
my kids get from me how to be genuinely you, how to be genuinely solid, how to be
fearless, how to take care of
your people, and how to always
be a forward thinker and
definitely how to be
god-fearing, but at the same
time always how to believe in
yourself, you know?
Time always how to believe in yourself, you know? I always want to lead by
example.
I tell my kids all the time,
"don't listen to what nobody
say.
Watch what they do."
and that's I want them to do
watch what they do." and that's I want them to do with me, too -- watch what I do.
And that's I want them to do with me, too -- watch what I do. ♪
I came from the street, so I'm
always going.
I tell my kids all the time, "no
matter what you do, watch your
surroundings."
that's how I'm wired.
Surroundings." that's how I'm wired. But if you ask me what real
happiness is to me, it's being
but if you ask me what real happiness is to me, it's being at a place of peace -- you know
what I'm saying? -- At a place
of understanding who you are,
your wrongs and your rights and
everything around you being --
being of love, like, meaning,
like, I keep people that love me
around -- 'cause at one time
there was people around me that
probably, if they could have --
you know what I'm saying? --
Probably, if they could have -- you know what I'm saying? -- Would have probably knocked me
off if they had the chance.
You know what I'm saying?
Off if they had the chance. You know what I'm saying? These were people that was in my
you know what I'm saying? These were people that was in my circumference.
You know what I'm saying?
Circumference. You know what I'm saying? It's like, I really came from
you know what I'm saying? It's like, I really came from that life.
You understand what I'm saying?
That life. You understand what I'm saying? And I had to go through all
you understand what I'm saying? And I had to go through all those steps.
Like, I'll tell you, like, I
borrowed $20 from my uncle to
like, I'll tell you, like, I borrowed $20 from my uncle to get started with what I was
doing in the streets, and I
never looked back.
Doing in the streets, and I never looked back. You know what I'm saying?
Never looked back. You know what I'm saying? So, imagine that, all that time
you know what I'm saying? So, imagine that, all that time and that work and that energy
so, imagine that, all that time and that work and that energy and staying safe and staying out
of jail and staying alive to
now.
Of jail and staying alive to now. And it's just like, if you asked
me at the end of the day, I
and it's just like, if you asked me at the end of the day, I don't do anything that doesn't
bring me peace.
Don't do anything that doesn't bring me peace. I just can't do it.
Bring me peace. I just can't do it. I'm about balance, you know?
I'm gonna balance those things.
I'm gonna ground hard, but I'm
gonna make sure that I play
harder.
Gonna make sure that I play harder. You know what I'm saying?
I'm gonna have big goals, but at
the same time I'm gonna have
goals to take care of myself,
like, mentally.
I'm gonna sit down and have the
conversations with people that I
need to have just to have
understanding because, you know,
there's people that's so far
ahead of me.
And, you know, if you sit down
with them, they just tell you
the secrets -- you know what I'm
saying? -- Or just make you
understand, you know, the things
that's gonna keep you in this
game and keep 'gevity because it
ain't just about music.
We all bigger than rap if we
want to be.
We all bigger than rap if we
want to be, you know?