Jay Wayne Jenkins, better known as Jeezy (formerly Young Jeezy), is an influential American rapper, songwriter, and record executive. Born on September 28, 1977, in Columbia, South Carolina, Jeezy moved to Atlanta, Georgia, during his youth, where he began to cultivate his musical career and immerse himself in the Southern rap scene.

Jeezy’s journey to stardom began with his debut independent album Thuggin’ Under the Influence (T.U.I.) in 2001, under the name Lil’ J. He followed this with Come Shop Wit Me in 2003, which further solidified his presence in the industry. In 2005, Jeezy signed with Def Jam Recordings and released his major-label debut, Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101. The album was a massive success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and achieving double platinum status. Its lead single, “Soul Survivor,” featuring Akon, became one of his biggest hits, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

Jeezy continued his success with albums like The Inspiration (2006) and The Recession (2008), both of which topped the Billboard charts. His impact on the trap music genre has earned him multiple awards and nominations, including a Grammy nod for the hit single “Put On,” featuring Kanye West.

Outside of music, Jeezy has appeared in films such as Janky Promoters (2009) and I Got the Hook Up 2 (2019). In his personal life, Jeezy married television host Jeannie Mai in 2021, and the couple welcomed their first child in 2022. However, they filed for divorce in 2023, citing irreconcilable differences.

Jeezy’s rise from a difficult upbringing to becoming a trailblazer in the hip-hop community speaks to his resilience, and his impact on the genre continues to be felt today.