Jeezy, TM104: The Legend of the Snowman | Album Review 💿

While he offers nothing particularly innovative on TM104: The Legend of the Snowman, Jeezy serves up plenty of bangers that celebrate his career. 

Jeezy has ‘gone hard’ from day one – #Facts! Unlike some contemporaries, the rapper has definitely remained ‘true to self.’ In 2005, when he broke into the game with Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101, he kept it 100.  Perhaps you can argue that the certified ‘G’ could stand to evolve, but then you hear a banger like “MLK BLVD”, which appears on his 2019 album TM104: The Legend of the Snowman, you throw that notion right out the door.  Perhaps he doesn’t ‘change the game’ on TM104: The Legend of the Snowman, but the southern, “Soul Survivor” rapper who “Put On” for his city definitely flexes his muscles and takes his victory lap.

“The enTRAPeneur”

TM104 commences with “The enTRAPeneur,” where Jeezy sets the tone, flexing like the G that he is.  In addition to a display of the utmost confidence, the listener is blessed with some marvelous strings.  Ashanti Floyd “The Mad Violinist” definitely plays a sizable role in that.  The flex continues on the basically titled ✓ “Big Shit,” where the rapper asserts, “I said I talk big shit because I am big shit / Told her ride it like a Dodge, I’ma ram that bitch…” Wow, that’s um… quite sexual, we’ll leave it at that.  This is an old-school record in regard to the sound, with the trap oozing over.  He offers up nothing new, but he remains tough as nails. 

Five words: “The fuck I look like?” ✓ “Look Like” continues to keep things basic but hard-nosed.  The backdrop by DJ Montay is malicious, set in a minor key, fueling Jeezy’s fire.  Like the two previous cuts, he’s not playing fucking around – “Don’t get it fucked up, that clip still hold fifty.” “Better Tell ‘Em” keeps the bangers coming, with those classic, signature ad-libs in play.  Favorite ad-libs include his emphasis on “damn,” as well as that distinct laugh.  Of course, he references cooking crack (verse one), something that drives the druggy, grimy ✓ “Mr. Pyrex.” On the second verse of “Mr. Pyrex,” he asserts, “I beat the feds, bitch (Yeah), I’m as smart as they come / Take them bricks out there wrapped, they look like teeth with no gums.” Besides bricks and feds, “Mr. Pyrex” there’s plenty of chopper talk.

“Already Rich”

✓ “Already Rich” maintains the toughness established early-on on TM104 but offers a contrast by bringing in soulful R&B standout CeeLo Green.  While Green isn’t nearly as big as he once was, that distinct voice brings some warmth to another punchy number on the chorus:

“You’ve got mansions, homie, and diamonds too
Maybe that’s the reason that she’s digging you
You got all the riches, baby, don’t be surprised
Got millions in your heart.”

Jeezy remains uncompromising, never flinching over the Adam ‘BlaqNmilD’ Pigott/ J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League backdrop.  “1 Time” gives him another enjoyable banger, this time produced by Sonaro and DJ Ace.  The production is a huge selling point, and while Jeezy doesn’t reinvent the wheel, he sounds particularly ripe on the infectious chorus.  I mean, who the hell doesn’t want to “Put your hands in the air one time?” Just saying!

“Oh Yea” keeps the song titles basic, enlisting Ball Greezy for the assist.  Ball Greezy gives his boy another catchy hook that’s street to the core.  As for the verses, Jeezy holds things down, delivering a compelling flow and rhymes dripping in swagger.  Again, there’s nothing ‘brand new’ or particularly flashy, but TM104 feels like a victory lap for a consistent career in the game as opposed to a particularly innovative endeavor.  That said, ✓ “White Keys” deserves a shout-out for featuring beautiful piano lines and managing to relate the white keys of a piano to bricks of course.   The best line: “Bitch, I’m the Beethoven of the block /… They call me Beethoven of the block.”

“MLK BLVD”

On the crowning achievement of TM104, ✓ “MLK BLVD”, Jeezy is assisted by Meek Mill. That said, perhaps the biggest asset he gets is production by Lex Luger.  Luger gives him a totally malicious, menacing, badass backdrop to spit over.  Jeezy brings absolute fire, fueled by the minor-key hellishness, including an unapologetic, ‘no fucks given’ chorus:

“I got Dawn on Martin Luther King (Martin Luther King)
Hop out the Dawn on Martin Luther King (Yeah)
I hustle hard, I go and get the check (Check)
They want me dead just like I’m Malcom X (Woo).”

On the first verse, he gets political, and goes straight for Donald Trump, as well as referencing Kanye West:

“This nigga talkin’ like he ‘Ye or somethin’
That nigga must be on that ye or somethin’
Heard what I said, nigga, fuck Trump
Say it again, nigga, fuck Trump
Somebody better call CNN…”

Meek Mill takes the reins on the second verse, referencing his drip, his come-up, ‘hoes,’ and the Feds among other things. Regardless, Jeezy is the star of the show, as he should be.

“‘06”

On the slow-paced, dark “‘06,” Jeezy trades Meek Mill for Rick Ross.  The best way to describe the record – flex. Of course, often when Rick Ross appears, you can expect for the money to drive the rhymes.  In addition to the mentions of plain Janes and the first million, there’s also guns and sex.  Of course, where the sex is concerned, there’s a lack of a deeper connection, considering “We fuck but don’t kiss.”  “Don’t Make Me” brings J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League back into the fold, co-producing with Ben Billions and Pelham and Junior.  As expected, the backdrop is combination of the soulful, the southern, and the trap.  Nothing new, but the flow and ad-libs remain ripe – he exudes energy.

Queen Naija joins him on “Fake Love,” which continues a trend of a number of different producers (Ayo N Keyz and Bennywond3r).  There is a contrast in vibe, as Queen Naija brings a R&B vibe, much like CeeLo Green did on “Already Rich.” Much like “Already Rich,” Jeezy remains T-O-U-G-H, even with Naija singing so expressively.  “Paper fucked up, doubts in my head / That when my main man left me for dead” definitely signifies no softening on this G’s part. “All Night” adds Gunna to the mix, spitting over another Ben Billions beat.  Naturally, there’s a contrast between old- and new-school, with Gunna heavily autotuned on the second verse, while Jeezy is gritty, gruff, and straightforward sans effects.

“4Play” 

Hip-hop’s most ubiquitous collaborator not named Chris Brown, Ty Dolla $ign, makes his appearance on “4Play,” another R&B-tinged number.  As always, Ty sounds distinct and soulful, bringing a brighter, more colorful performance to the generally edgier TM104.  Helluva also brings a bright sensibility to this darker LP, a welcome contrast.  Similarly, Noah Scharf has a similar effect on “Play it Safe,” another ‘gentler’ joint on a hard-nosed album.  Of course, Jeezy is still true to himself, particularly when he asserts “Straight up out the sewer, yeah, the sex can get nasty / Best of both worlds, yeah, we ratchet and we classy.” Classy huh? Hmm. 

Thought the toughness has fallen by the wayside? Absolutely not. “Don’t Forget” may be smooth with an incredibly soulful backdrop, but Jeezy keeps it real. The chorus, which includes counting (to ten), is another selling point. John Legend assists on the closing cut, ✓ “The Real MVP,” soulfully singing the chorus, as well as singing ad-libs.  As for Jeezy, he reflects back on his life and how far he’s come.  Notably, there is an interlude courtesy of Kevin Durant, where he calls his mother “the real MVP.” It’s an excellent way to close an enjoyable album.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, Jeezy offers nothing particularly innovative on TM104: The Legend of the Snowman. That said, he serves up plenty of bangers and enjoyable records that celebrate his enduring career in rap. There’s no mega-hit here, even with an awesome banger like “MLK BLVD,” but fans should be pleased.

✓ Gems: “Big Shit,” “Look Like,” “Mr. Pyrex,” “Already Rich,” “1 Time,” “White Keys,” “MLK BLVD” & “The Real MVP”

Jeezy • TM104: The Legend of the Snowman • Def Jam • Release: 8.23.19

Photo Credit: Def Jam