Jeezy: Tiny Desk Concert

Bobby Carter | February 21, 2024
Motivation has always been the leading message of Jeezy's career and he's never veered off the path. The Atlanta superstar stayed consistent with his Tiny Desk, focusing on the early chapters of his career and creating a story arc in between songs. "I was able to connect with my people and my culture because we spoke the same language," he explained before playing "Go Crazy." "I wanted to inspire and give people the blueprint, people who wanted more for themselves."
Jay "Jeezy" Jenkins' music could easily be taken at face value given the number of hits he's racked up over his two-decade career, but he made his target audience and intention clear through the titles of his Thug Motivation albums. He's taken his mission far beyond music, excelling as an investor and more recently an author. His memoir, Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe, made it to the New York Times bestseller list.
The Snowman enlisted Tiny Desk vet and bassist D. Hodge to assemble a band to breathe new life into selections from his catalog. The string section brought opulence to these gritty street anthems and features two familiar faces: viola player Lelia-Michelle Walker and NPR's own Ashley Pointer on violin. Jeezy dedicated "Everythang" from TM:103 Hustlerz Ambition to Pointer and showed plenty of love to the group of Howard University students in the crowd. This is Black History at its finest.
SET LIST
"Standing Ovation"
"Air Forces"
"Bottom Of The Map"
"And Then What"
"Go Crazy"
"Everythang"
MUSICIANS
Jeezy: lead vocals
D. Hodge: bass, musical direction
CJ Thompson: drums
Joe Harley: keys
Ashley Pointer: violin
Lelia-Michelle Walker: viola
Dr. Amyr Joyner: violin
Johnny Walker: cello
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Technical Director: Neil Tevault
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Alanté Serene, Christina Shaman
Audio Engineer: Josephine Nyounai
Photographer: Zayrha Rodriguez
Production Assistant: Elle Mannion
Tiny Desk Copy Editor: Hazel Cills
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
#nprmusic #tinydesk #jeezy

[@blackjesuswitwaves]

The crowd killing this performance

[@bcg1634]

Bruh exactly

[@LoB912]

Blew me 🤣

[@nakirahsykes9717]

who booked the crowd they have no energy and don't know the words. Are these actually Jeezy fans ??? Killing his vibes. This the family of the crew or something

[@storytimewithagrownwoman]

I think it needed another crowd.

[@RubeCube5785]

Fr they are 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@essencelashai5992]

y’all did him dirty, he need a repeat with a crowd with some energy. Hood league for sure !!

[@leisalomax4632]

FRFR DRY AXX SUPPORTERS

[@christianthompson9688]

Wrong generation

[@rckstarstatus201]

Okkkkkkkayyyyy I said the same thing. Please go on tour with the band and I'll be on the front row🎉🎉🎉

[@rosalynelliott996]

He needed a vocalist too to carry some of those choruses

[@pownstar]

crowrd weak ugh

[@Jason-Carlson1]

How are people not screaming his songs?! Straight bangers man. I love him.

[@ishmaelfinch770]

I think most people in the crowd see him as jeannie mai ex...😂 Should've been done in the south

[@HomieDoMore]

​@@ishmaelfinch770you tripping cuh 😂😂😂

[@coveredbykay484]

They are college students sound like they don’t know 😮‍💨

[@olliebob9620]

That crowd really got no clue fr fr, I’ll pay for that show.

[@thebanksway3293]

They are feeding off his energy

[@YWiggy5]

Can we talk about how amazing his band is?!

[@hayleyb467]

yes. yes we can

[@skylarpatton4151]

Facts

[@fivenightsatyoutube9282]

Band was legit!!!

[@joeb2756]

fam jaw dropping talent ... wow !

[@af8071]

🔥🔥

[@ssgsstrey9799]

That violinist is a BEAST. The way he did that part on the song AIR FORCES

[@JoelHernandez-yl6yw]

Dope AF

[@Cjanellea]

🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@patricias9866]

Yes him and the young lady Jeezy did the tribute too.

[@richbabe7836]

I went crazy when I seen that 😂

[@DorellJones]

@@richbabe7836me too 🤞🏽

[@christiespencejoyner8119]

Jeezy, please bring this to Atlanta for a do-over! Us grown folks who have been following you since the mixtapes will not disappoint with the crowd participation! This performance was LIFE!! Thank you, sir!

[@michaelharbach1987]

Miami too bring it down here

[@Rob-tr1st]

Amen Amen!!!! Us 35-45 mofos gonna show out for snowman!!

[@thegoatman6]

Anywhere in the South would have had crazy energy

[@user-yh8wo9rr8r]

Bring it to 973 Newark New Jersey 💯✌🏽

[@bl9104]

The crowd did not appreciate what they got to experience…

[@thestreetswannaknow]

Oh man the crowd made me feel bad for Jeezy he killed it🔥

[@tonyt65]

I mean, i love the song, but i couldn't feel the vibe i felt when i first heard the song ,he didnt put the effort into standing ovation song performance , I felt like my homie was just rapping his song but no energy

[@TNGAReaps]

0:01 Standing Ovation 4:12 Air Forces 7:46 Bottom of da map 11:37 And Then What 15:28 Go Crazy 😮‍💨 19:34 Everythang Cold Classic Snow 🔥

[@SamilSukruErcaylak]

Thank you

[@marcusgarvey5876]

GODS work 🙏

[@user-sq9tv8is7o]

me still waiting for my president is black😂😂😂😂

[@radioregi618]

second half for sure

[@kingaxxidnt2484]

Should have did go getta

[@MsRayBay]

I remember seeing Jeezy live back in 2003-2005 and yall will never understand how this man music impacted the streets.

[@yusufabdullah5008]

Had the streets in the headlock

[@tiffyp21]

Snowman T-shirts were EVERYWHEREEEEEE

[@nrrve]

I remember my first time ever driving through Atlanta and I tapped through 3 different radio stations that were all playing Jeezy at the same time

[@MsRayBay]

@@yusufabdullah5008 facts

[@MsRayBay]

@@nrrve yessss

[@KeremKyn]

Heavy chance of SNOW

[@IronMan-hq1bu]

⛄

[@miguelcastro0666]

☃️

[@BrklynBread]

CANT BAN DA ⛄️

[@carmelcapricorn7701]

❄️ warriors! Let's go! A cold 🌎.

[@figo007tv]

Yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaah. Thaaaaaaaaaats riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.

[@chanielc9517]

Dem churn young.. dey dont know jezzy! Jezzy is life!! The Band is a beast!

[@Candice-Smith]

He needs the juvenile crowd there 😅 they knew how to get it !

[@curlslegitbaby2981]

Say that!!

[@Is-there_a-ChristianGod]

They was he forgot the order of his verse in one

[@38109MURDA]

I could've carried the whole crowd word for word!!!! This is dealer music, this is a user music generation...

[@t.hoodygotthejuice6497]

Nah they proud of they percocets and molly

[@user-xb2ew6oy3b]

Facts

[@SLiZzGOD_]

Big facts

[@fixyoface_]

💯

[@TRLOVEME]

Facts

[@BruBoyz]

“Bottom Of The Map” with live instruments is crazy🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jboi5065]

Neck hairs stand on that one

[@Al-gp8hz]

Yessir! Those violin girls was going in!

[@drob20978]

Facts

[@kentaintevenhere]

Yea they did they thing on that

[@vrich1540]

We need another Jeezy Tiny Desk with a different crowd. They too dry for me

[@luisnorori92]

Jeezy one of the greatest!! His music is timeless

[@AmirTheWolfKissed]

That's cause his music was at a time when the artist was not built of popularity but instead real genuine talent ⛄💯

[@jamaicapray4935]

It’s ok Jeezy we were singing and rapping our hearts out watching this. I loved the band and flow!!! You can run it back hits for days!!! 🥰🥰🥰

[@jilla101]

I’m 32 and I can’t believe these kids ain’t turning up to this jeezy, the last wave of real rappers.

[@user-yl1on1ym2i]

It's Girls in there nothing but ladies no kids in there

[@TABush1021]

I'm 38!!!! I agree 👍 💯

[@djdavidastbury]

Bro stop. We’re old now. 😢

[@charlitawhitby6929]

Yea you are, but these young people are between 18-21, his first album is older than some of these kids, if you’re a true Jeezy day 1, why do you need his audience to hype you up, just enjoy him….Periodt!!!! I DID, Live and watching it back, his performance was all I needed to get me hyped, the crowd being hyped or not does not take away from this being an AMAZING TINY DESK CONCERT!

[@user-be5to5nq5h]

@@charlitawhitby6929 I’m 22 and know every song played.. I’m from the south and at one point he was played at every party I wasn’t supposed to be at

[@Prettyyellah29]

The audience ain’t lit enough baby jeezy goneeeee turn me uppp everytime

[@nicolebenard5146]

Period 🔥

[@chumps7974]

Yeah. They'd have been like you extra hype at NPR office today.

[@Prettyyellah29]

@@chumps7974 ohhhh wellllll

[@chumps7974]

@Prettyyellah29 right. I would have told my coworkers "that's Jeezy! You had the same energy when Sam Smith came to tiny desk!"

[@Dodge-ek4cv]

They in dc they wont feel it like the south would

[@jusblaze887]

The live band made his beats sound so soothing.. real smooth.. Jeezy legend! Atlanta was the place to be.. u had to be there to witness it!

[@teelee468]

That drummer killing it though!!!

[@WillCtheMechDrummer]

Might be CJ Thompson... He's a beast!!!!

[@pruittjonathan26]

@@WillCtheMechDrummer it is

[@luckynov222]

IM BEGGING YAL FOR A REDO FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER WITH A BETTER PARTICIPATING CROWD!! Pleaseeeeeeee!

[@tarah37]

Agree, they wasn’t ready.

[@TimeBucks]

The audience is killing me

[@supriyanto8401]

Thumbs up

[@Alwaysbesmileyoutubechennel]

👍

[@koushiknaskar26]

👍

[@filipzugec8346]

Why??

[@ricap.898]

They don't seem to know the words to his songs smh

[@tmjmcvea2865]

The piano killed go crazy!!

[@harleySOfficial]

🫡💪🏾💯🙏🏾

[@aleikahayden8547]

Fire the crowd please and thank you!! Cause this hit I’m over hot lit like I’m at the club.

[@dthornt1017]

The band killed it and jeezy flowed so effortlessly over the beats

[@dpth3gr8t47]

NPR I would have called off of work to pull up to this. Man Jeezy deserved way more energy ….Big Snow!!!!⛄️

[@MrTwonetwone]

Facts!!

[@SdeeLadi]

Facts. I've done that before and will do it again

[@MzDezyB]

!!!!

[@HealedYetPodcast]

He needed me in that audience!!!!

[@thestreetswannaknow]

Standing ovation 👏

[@ThaBudCrawfordEra]

Yessir dats the hardest one

[@oooolala890]

The tiny desk needs to open up these tiny desk invites to the real deal fans of thee performers...this audience doesn't appreciate how legendary this performance is...👏🏾

[@thecramptons]

Correct

[@alontewells9324]

They not Jeezy fans that's why

[@charlesjames3495]

The performance was awesome! Jeezy definitely needed true fans there.

[@Zawo254]

Yeah like the Juvenile fans. This crowd was 🗑️

[@ktgfashionhouse]

Exactly! I'll be there next time, screaming word for word!

[@RealWillProductions]

My boy Cj on the drums 💪🏾💪🏾

[@miaf2631]

Mannnn Listen, the strings on , "Go Crazy". Indeed.

[@user-wd4pt2ii3n]

The drummer rocking!

[@SunniMerlot]

He was playing too gentle for me. Everybody was. All the sounds needed to be fuller

[@joshw8854jw]

Yea that’s cj Thompson he is from NC the homie he’s very dope and very high musical IQ ……….. so it’s a Tiny desk in a library they have to be quiet lol that’s the whole point to the other comment on here

[@j897xce]

​@@joshw8854jwyou're right, but I didn't expect to realize that now. After all the tiny desk I've watched..

[@Therealmarkmack]

The crowd killed me 😤this was iconic and the band was 🔥🔥🔥Jeezy should have went to the trap and performed this in the hood …

[@lexistaylor6581]

He should’ve did the front porch with noochie

[@HendersonNoMore]

frfr

[@deepblueseeds5563]

npr a bunch a white wanna be communist girls thinking they can relate to the black community by inviting jeezy to a bookstore.they woulda called the police if he was on their corner. this is a disgrace to trap music and music in general.mad and rn

[@mustafaa965]

The addition of the 'strings' is wonderful!!!

[@brandigrigsby1449]

He did that🔥🔥💪🏾💪🏾 And the STRINGS 😍😍. The audience had a lackluster performance that put a damper on everything. I saw Jeezy in Dallas last Feb. It was a 30+ crowd… on a Sunday night. We out late and tired, but EVERYBODY was up and the entire arena was going word for word with Jeezy.

[@MostMundane]

Jeezy music gets me amped, leaves me feeling positive and ready to take on the world.

[@camirrahcharles2493]

Yesssssssss

[@sanai103]

The crowd is killing the energy!! Jeezy gonna get you up outta your seat every time. Idk what this crowd doing!!!! “Y’all too low” in Jeezy voice!!!!

[@thenurseesquire]

One of the best Tiny Desk Performances to date, period 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾... and the audience did not give what was supposed to be given... BOO BOO *throws tomatoes at the crowd* 🍅🍅🍅 Jeezy needed a grown, OG crowd!

[@MrHoodkingzENT]

THAT BAND THO! ITS A LUGHT CHANCE OF SNOW!

[@drcoffee0913]

Omg I wish I was there for this ! These folks let my boy down man the energy could have been more authentic. Real fans needed for this. Forever the snowman! ⛄️ ❤❤🎉🎉

[@kingken87]

FACTS‼️‼️‼️ Crowd was dead 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@user-xu8mn9qm3y]

Yes, they dead as he🏒🏒

[@tishdunklin729]

IKR! Dang, we should’ve been there.

[@user-sl7xg7so8d]

Facts!! They ain't into it at all

[@rasungod7257]

The crowd was life support about flatline any minute.🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿

[@tonyturner1032]

The band bro...I have no words. Jeezy never fail!!!

[@Adotjunior]

Jeezy please Redo this for all the people that really appreciate and rock out to your timeless music 30 years old and up forever a legend 💯💯💯

[@Sam_Giancana_]

🤯 the street poetry is impeccable. Jeezy the 🐐

[@anthonybanks2092]

This needs a redo with a performance in Atlanta. Much better crowd which will give him proper flowers he deserves.

[@iliketoskate865]

Trap or die with a live orchestra would be next level

[@FATboyFAME]

This man played a huge roll in my upbringing. Take that as a positive or a negative… either way Jeezy is a forever legend ☃️!

[@damitacrockett1]

The band along with his voice and flow! This is by far the best tiny desk! Been a fan since 04!

[@conreyeverett7566]

The Band is Super🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@DCHRShow]

All his songs sound fire with live instrumentation. But Air Forces gave me goosebumps. Sheesh!

[@ThaBudCrawfordEra]

It was standin ovation for me then air forces

[@thecunninlynguist]

Hope he does i luv it, soul survivor

[@mearllee3511]

He didn’t

[@jacquesharper3934]

@@mearllee3511😂

[@trustalmighty4090]

Crushed his dream

[@dbrown3217]

That’s not on this album

[@Dontdoit_]

@@dbrown3217not every song was

[@jemelwoseley9381]

Soon as I seen it was Jeezy I knew it was classic! They needed me in that crowd 💯

[@SuperstarMwenyewe]

Jeezy one of the last ones left,gave a goat sound as always🔥❤️‍🔥the band understood the element👌tiny desk yessir🤜

[@chrisvillegas9553]

“Go crazy” sounded dope 🙌🏽🔥⛄️

[@trxllionaiire]

yeah..but he forgot the words & i couldn’t watch anymore 😢

[@zacharieakadutch5729]

That was the one song I was hoping he’d do. It was always my favorite when this came out.

[@paidblacksheep1]

Man Jeezy too underrated this deserves more views I’m mad. Y’all did amazing don’t put out your light yet you got some more runs YJ💯

[@tommiejones3988]

NPR can you please release this as a live album!! The fans need this!!

[@quishafoster4602]

They need the 30s and up audience when jeezy came out that's all we played in our rides and it had the Midwest stl,mo Big Smow he needs a redo of this

[@DallasHomeCollection]

Michelle on the 🎻is a whole vibe. You can tell she loves her instrument

[@mikeyPRE6]

Jeezy is GOATED ⛄️

[@dmargerum2683]

I've never heard Jeezy like this. 🔥

[@MrBalloutt]

I wish he would release a tiny desk album on apple music and have these live performances as the singles

[@jasminelangley9035]

I wish I was there!! I love Jeezy so much!!

[@sharmilmckee1]

Violins! He is rapping to violins. We add sparkle to everything. I love Black people.

[@skpskp17]

Yep I'm 35 these were my anthems... snowman ⛄️ the king!!!!!

[@christie4724]

This is so sick!!!!! Love the strings

[@Petermomo5050]

These Dope Boyz are from another planet before their time. This will be a classic, listen to the sound and his voice mix together perfectly.

[@tmax8932]

Give the drummer some love he on point

[@Peter-zx9uw]

Thank you. The best feeling is finding gems

[@thealexiscornell]

All these years and this song still resonates so heavily. Impeccable.

[@ricardolewis4778]

That bottom of the map 🔥🔥

[@robertobuchi]

One of the best Tiny Desk I've seen so far.

[@ryanrhoadesphd7301]

Everyone complain that the crowd too quiet, but I came for Jeezy. Been listing to this non stop since it came out. Best one since Mac.

[@PromoCodeLady]

All of Jeezy's songs are magical.

[@user-mc9rv3xl2c]

whole band having snowman shirts is cold tho

[@kroy334]

Ah man I'm ready

[@EUoPRATA]

day one fan here, this is a classic, i wish i was there, i am writing my second album and everytime i listen to this i had to pick up my pen and make some rhymes, u deserve all the love. special thank you from brasil!

[@shiny2248]

Omg! Y'all sound so good!! ⭐💫❣️

[@killamanhojoe]

The band is crazy! That felt good.

[@user-ln5mr7oe4u]

Can't ban the Snowman they needed me in that crowd.

[@smileyalmond2175]

Jeezy, I love you, and I wish the crowd would've given you the flowers you deserve!!!!

[@BrotherDwayne]

They needed someone on adlibs…… yeesaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!! That’s rrriiiiighttttt!!!!!

[@DaRealBenRichards]

Real musicians! Talented room!

[@954ram7]

Jezzle you owe me a couple speakers over the years brother 😂

[@ThaBudCrawfordEra]

Sht he owe me so many sets of 12s 🔈🔉🔊 bro since I was 17 im 37 now

[@missjackson5198]

Bravo 👏!!!!!! The symphony was an added bonus❤

[@ashtonemerson6433]

That go crazy go crazy. Insane 🔥🔥🔥 that live band is everything to that beat

[@Rasheed_921]

Jeezy really got hits 🔥🔥🔥

[@youngsirthemovement3395]

This band outcold omg I mean jeezy doing his thing but that band is killing it

[@darrenwest6897]

Beautiful band. Beautiful man. Hero to the culture. The band was jamming and smiling and that made me happy as much as the messages in between. Jeezy deserves flowers but I hope every band member gets their due too

[@marshabranch7042]

Jammm Session❤ Turn UP 💚 Jeezy 🥰 🔥🔥🔥 Tiny Desk 🔥🔥🔥

[@SimsChannel09]

I think he has had the best band than the other artists 🙌🏽

[@readymixmac1657]

That Band is rocking out

[@bjspinks5735]

Jeeeezy!!🎤 And his banging band

[@AyesheIsAlwaysLovely]

The Band!!!

[@kwilliams3770]

Can’t ban the ⛄️. The strings on this were perfection.

[@nprmusic]

WIN A TRIP TO SEE A TINY DESK CONCERT! Enter here for your chance to win by supporting the content you love: bit.ly/tiny-desk-giveaway (enter before 3/28/24 at 11:59pm PT!) No purchase or donation required for entry. Void where otherwise restricted or prohibited by law. Must be 18 years or older and a resident of the 50 us states, D.C. or Canada (excluding Quebec) to enter. Entry deadline is March 28, 2024 at 11:59:59pm pt. Odds depend on the number of entries received. ARV of total prize: $2,300. Max. 10,000 entries per person. Official rules, including an alternative free method of entry, can be found at propeller.La/support/1936/official-rules.

[@quishafoster4602]

Shout to the Band they killing it amd Jeezy as well that audience not ready they need to turn up

[@ricap.898]

Love It Go Jeezy!!!!!!!

[@twelvethirtyone9620]

The violins omg 🔥🔥🔥

[@salongacre]

Between President is black & Dreamin’ w Keyshia I wish this was longer!! 😢

[@curlslegitbaby2981]

Whew flashbacks. I miss this era of music

[@ThaBudCrawfordEra]

Man me to wish I could go back 😪

[@missreginarogers]

Day one right here! I wish I was there. I would've turned up the right way 💯❤️