Jeezy reveals that Jay-Z is the only one who stood by him when nobody else did.
In an interview with “Million Dollaz Worth Of Game Podcast” said that when he had issues with Def Jam Recordings and its parent company Universe Music Group with disagreements over his music promotion and creative direction.
In 2013, Jeezy came out publicly and criticized his record label for mismanagement and inadequate support of his projects. He stated that he had been perfecting his album for over 2years for his fans “I been perfecting this album 2 years for my fans.” And further threatened to go ahead and release the project (album) if his label (Def Jam Recordings) didn’t put up a date for the release and strategies towards its promotion
That public outburst caused a strain between him and his label. This is the moment when he decides to keep a distance and maintain peace. However, the incident caused him a mental breakdown and complete abandonment from everyone because he was no longer willing to work with the label. This marked a new journey for his career, overwhelming and with no support or reach out from anyone Jay-Z being someone who has gone through similar situations from when he was still a kid growing up reached out to him and offered him support and knowledge on how to kick start his journey as an independent artist.
During “The Million Dollaz Worth Game podcast” he revealed that Jay-Z gave him hope he never thought he’d ever get again.
“I never forget like when people start indicted, things start happening. Def Jam ain’t even pick up the phone… that’s the truth no cap. One person who called me was Jay-Z. He said, “You need to come to talk to me?” I was like “hell yeah!” [Podcasters laugh]. I went to his office and sat in his office in Roc Nation and we sat down and had a real conversation, I felt a deep sense of comfort. Because he was like “whatever it is you’re going through, I don’t wanna know.” and he’s saying that,
“But this is how you gonna go about it”. You know for me it was like, I wasn’t the best version of myself into the recession, because before that I was deeply depressed, and paranoid, I didn’t trust anyone around me, and I went through so much trauma and tumbles going on because I was that kid that was told to be tough and brace up. I didn’t even know how to talk. I didn’t know how to talk to people or connect. It was like a weird disconnect”
Jay-Z further proved his loyalty and support for Jeezy during a certain incident in Las Vegas where he got into a fight. Jay-Z stood by him during the fight, refusing to be left there despite being asked to run for his safety. Rather, Jay-Z stayed back and fought back for him.
He applauded Jay-Z for his loyalty and support and expressed his admiration for the Roc Nation boss and rapper who found his way through fame without throwing away his values and the street spirit in him.
Jay-Z was someone who had experienced the same bullying from his childhood while growing up in Brooklyn where he often found himself in drug dealings till he made his way into the music world. Understood better. Those experiences alone shaped his perspectives on his music and business dealings.
And most times too he’s expressed the importance of perseverance and resilience as that’s the driving force to where he is today. Explaining why he better understood the ordeal Jeezy was in and further solidified their relationship and fostered business and personal support and collaboration.
But despite these challenges, Jeezy still gave his career a second chance by announcing his departure from his Label Def Jam Recordings in October 2023 after being signed under them for 18yrs years. He further released his double album “I Might Forgive…But I Will Never Forget” on November 3, 2023, marking a fresh chapter in his artistic journey.
