Jeezy – Net Worth, Career Ups and Downs, Awards and Achievements

Real Name:	Jay Wayne Jenkins
Birthday:	September 28, 1977
Net Worth:	$15 million
Height:	176 cm
Occupation:	American Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Actor

Jeezy is the moniker Jay Wayne Jenkins uses for his performances. Born in 1977, Jeezy is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. He signed with Def Jam Recordings in 2004, and still uses that record label. In 2005 he released his Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101, debuting at Number 2 on the Billboard 200. How much is Jeezy’s cash flow?

The rapper started his career in 2001 as Lil J. His first release was Thuggin’ Under the Influence. So far, he released 10 studio albums and many singles. For some of his songs, he collaborated with big-name stars like R. Kelly, Akon, and Kanye West. He also joined stars like Rihanna, Christina Milian, and Usher on their songs.

Jeezy is the leader of the southern hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America (U.S.D.A).

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Career Ups and Downs

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Jay relocated to Atlanta as a result of his parents separating. That was when he was just a little kid. He then lived with different family members. That is why he describes his childhood as empty in many interviews.

During his childhood years, he befriended many Crip gang members. As a result, he spent nine months at Youth Challenge Academy in 1994. This was a boot camp for narcotics possession. Four years later, he launched his label imprint CTE World.

He began rapping in 2001 under the name Lil J. He released his debut album, Thuggin’ Under the Influence under that name. With artists like Freddy J, Fidank, Lil Jon, and Kinky B, the album had nice success.

In May 2004, a friend of Jeezy showed his demo to the Vice President Artist and Repertoire at Def Jam, Shakir Stewart. He fell in love with the demo and instantly recognized Jenkins’ talent. They signed and work with him ever since.

On July 6, 2005, Jeezy released his major-label debut, Let’s Get it: Thug Motivation 101. The album debuted at Number 2 on the Billboard 200, selling 172,000 copies in the first week alone. Akon joined Jeezy on the second single of the album. Jeezy released three singles, all appearing on the Billboard 200, and one reaching Number 4.

The rapper said in interviews that he wants to maintain his street credibility. The next year in December, he released his second album, The Inspiration. This one topped the Billboard 200, selling 352,000 copies in the first week alone.

The next year, Jeezy extended his career into gaming. He portrayed himself in the 3D hip-hop fighting game Def Jam: Icon. Continuing his expansion, by December 2007, he and CTE started a week-long toy drive and charity event series. They gave toys to 1,000 kids at various locations in Macon and Atlanta.

On September 2, 2008, Jeezy released his third and possibly most successful album. It topped Number 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 260,000 copies in the first weak. His lead single, Put On, featuring Kanye West, reached Number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also got his first Grammy nomination for the single.

In March 2010, Jeezy decided to change his name. He went by Young Jeezy by that point and wanted to drop Young from his stage name. The same year, he announced he is working on his album Thug Motivation 103. He released it two years later, in December 2011.

In August 2013, he released a compilation mixtape with the CTE World artists. Titled Boss Yo Life Up Gang, the mixtape had two singles.

On October 28, 2016, he released his new album, Trap or Die 3. Jeezy made it available for pre-order via iTunes. The album debuted at Number One on the Billboard 200, his third album to achieve that feat.

Net Worth, Earnings and Income

Jeezy hasn’t released a major album since 2011. His last album was TM:103 Hutlerz Ambition. But with a clothing line and a handful of tour dates, he still earns major bucks. He did release a couple of mixtapes during that period. Jeezy’s fortune as of June 2020 is $15 million.

He retired from music in 2009. But he is still the leader of United Streets Dopeboyz of America, a southern hip-hop group. Here are his highest-charting albums:

The Recession, released in 2008, reached Number 1 on the Billboard charts
The Inspiration, released in 2006, reached Number 1 on the Billboard charts
Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation, released in 2005, reached Number 2 on the Billboard charts
Seen it All: The Autobiography, released in 2014, reached Number 2 on the Billboard charts

Awards and Achievements

Jeezy is one of the more successful rappers. He has a couple of nominations and wins to major awards. So far, he has four Grammy nominations. Those are:

Best Rap Performance for “I Do” in 2013
Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Lose My Mind” in 2011
Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Amazing” in 2010
Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Put On” in 2009

Personal Life

Jeezy has three kids, two sons, and a daughter. Their names are Jadarius Jenkins, Shyheim Jenkins, and Amra Nor Jenkins. In March 2020, he proposed to his girlfriend, the Real host Jeannie Mai. They are in a relationship since September 2019.

Legal Issues

Jeezy’s wealth is around $15 million. If not for some legal issues, he could have earned a lot more money during his life. He had three albums topping the Billboard charts, a feat only a few artists achieve.

When he was young, Jeezy hung out with a couple of gang members. And those legal issues continued to follow him throughout his life. On March 11, 2005, he got arrested after an alleged shooting involved one of his friends in Miami Beach. Here are some other legal issues he faced over the years.

In September 2007, he destroyed his Bugatti Veyron after hitting a taxi crossing a street in Atlanta
On June 18, 2008, he got arrested for DUI
In August 2013, Leroy Hutson filed a complaint against Jeezy stating his song Time used instrumental portions of his song
On January 4, 2014, he got arrested for battery, false imprisonment, and terrorist threats
On August 24, 2014, the rapper got arrested in connection with deadly shooting two days prior on the stage he performed