New chapter: Jeezy on his journey of faith, self-belief and a new memoir

August 18th, 2023

"Closer Look" host Rose Scott sits down with recording artist and entrepreneur Jeezy to talk about his new memoir, “Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe.” (Photo credit: LaShawn Hudson)

Jay Wayne Jenkins, better known by his stage name Jeezy, says he learned early on about the power of faith.

The Grammy-nominated recording artist and entrepreneur says his grandmother kept him in line growing up and taught him the importance of trusting and believing in himself.

“I can remember, I can write something that can make people feel how I’m expressing myself, and that’s when I started to hit my strides with my mixtapes,” said Jeezy.

“Because now, I’m talking to the streets. And I know the streets well,” he continued. “So let me write to the streets.”

For more than two decades, the trailblazer of trap music has used his raspy voice to talk directly to the streets, telling his life story through catchy, bold lyrics over bumpy beats. But it’s a new chapter in his life now, the southern rapper has decided to capture his thoughts in written form—all penned in a memoir, “Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe.”

In a two-part conversation for a special taping of “Closer Look” in front of a studio audience, Jeezy told host Rose Scott that he’s thankful for his journey from Hawkinsville, Georgia, to Atlanta.

During part one of the conversation, Jeezy gets personal. He talked with Scott about the inspiration behind his hit song “Put On,” how his desire to be a CEO led him to become a recording artist, and why music is a spiritual expression for him.

“I hear something,” he explained. “If I don’t feel it, like in my soul, I won’t touch it, cause it’s a waste of time.”