TM104: The Legend of the Snowman

Trap music loves a franchise. Few, however, have had the durability and lasting resonance of Jeezy’s Thug Motivation, the proprietary series that first broke the Atlanta pioneer nationwide in 2005, back when the vet could still credibly pull off the Young prefix. Fully aware of his godfatherly status on what is billed as the series’ final instalment, Jeezy calls back to the original revelatory coke rap classic on the braggadocious TM104 cut “Big Shit” before promptly flaunting the results of his water-whippin’ expertise on “Mr. Pyrex”. He recruits guests from up and down I-95, snagging Meek Mill for the bars-heavy “MLK Blvd” and letting Miami spitter Ball Greezy talk that talk on “Oh Yea”. Jeezy reflects about the old days alongside his erstwhile Def Jam peer Rick Ross on “’06” and gives young Georgia great Gunna his shine on “All Night”. From his vantage point in the game, wisely respected and still masterful on the mic, Jeezy seems justified in closing out this chapter of his career on such a high note.