Jay Wayne Jenkins, known by his stage name
Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is credited, alongside fellow Georgia-based rappers T.I. and Gucci Mane, with pioneering the hip hop subgenre trap music for mainstream audiences. Jenkins began his career in 2001, releasing two independent albums until signing with Def Jam Recordings to release his major label debut,
Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 (2005). The album debuted at number two on the
Billboard 200, sold 172,000 copies in its first week, and received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album also spawned his highest-charting single as a lead artist to date: "Soul Survivor", which peaked at number four on the
Billboard Hot 100.