Young Jeezy’s “Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101” marked a significant milestone in the rapper’s career. Released on July 26, 2005, through his indie label Corporate Thugz, with distribution support from Def Jam South, this album served as both his commercial debut and his third studio album. On the UK release of the album, there’s a notable remixed version of “Go Crazy,” featuring a guest appearance by the renowned rapper Jay-Z.
This album gained immense attention and success, backed by four hit singles: “And Then What” with Mannie Fresh, “Soul Survivor” featuring Akon, “Go Crazy,” and “My Hood.” “Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101” made a strong entrance on the Billboard 200 chart, debuting at number two and selling 172,000 copies in its first week. Its impact was further solidified when it received a double platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
In terms of critical reception, the album received a range of reviews, with Entertainment Weekly favorably acknowledging it and Pitchfork Media giving it a rating of 7.7/10. Other reviews varied in their assessment.
One significant aspect of this album was its profound influence on the hip-hop genre. In 2015, Brooklyn Russell, a hip hop writer, declared it as the “apotheosis of trap rap,” noting how Young Jeezy, with his distinctive raspy voice and collaborations with producers like Shawty Redd, laid the groundwork for an entire generation of rappers. This influence essentially transformed the rap scene in the region and had a substantial impact.
In 2012, Complex magazine recognized “Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101” as one of the classic albums of the previous decade.
From a commercial perspective, the album’s debut at number two on the US Billboard 200 was a significant achievement, selling 172,000 copies in its opening week. It marked Jeezy’s first top-ten debut in the US. Although it experienced a gradual decline in subsequent weeks on the chart, the album continued to sell well, ultimately accumulating total sales of 1,933,000 copies in the US by October 2009. Notably, on July 2, 2020, it achieved a double platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), acknowledging its substantial success with over two million units sold in the United States.