Jay Wayne Jenkins (born October 12, 1977), better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American hip hop recording artist from Atlanta, Georgia. He is a member of Southern hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America (USDA) and a former member of BMF (Black Mafia Family). He began his career in 2001 under an independent label and joined Boyz n da Hood in 2005, the same year his solo major label debut Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 was released. Its lead single "Soul Survivor", which featured Akon, became a top-ten hit in the US.
The Inspiration followed in 2006, and The Recession followed in 2008; both albums yielded chart-topping singles. Jeezy has also appeared on numerous other rap and R&B singles such as "Say I" by Christina Milian, "I'm So Paid" by Akon, "Hard" by Rihanna, and "Love in This Club" by Usher, the latter being a number one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2008.