Young Jeezy’s “Go Crazy” from his first album, “Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101” is an absolute classic. The beat, produced by Don Cannon, is simple – a brief sample of some horns, a drum roll, some additional percussion. A brief intro introduces the essential components of the beat, and also treats the listener to the soothing words of a random woman.
Throughout the song, Jeezy doesn’t try to do too much. His verses are short. Their most notable elements – as is the case with much of Jeezy’s music – are the background sound effects. Jeezy’s raps are chock full of enthusiastic exclamations: “yeh,” “yup,” “ayyyy” and, of course, “daaaammmmnnnnn.” Mostly, Jeezy just sets the stage for his collaborator, Jay-Z.
And when Jay-Z enters for the third verse, it is clear from the beginning that he is very much on his game. His first word – “uh” – comes at the perfect time, right in step with the beat. Soon, he is hammering out one clever analogy after another:
More than a hustla I'm the definition of it
Master Chef, lord of the kitchen cupboard
More than a street legend, homy it's Hova
More than a relief pitcher, I'm the closer
The Mariano of the Marriott
The highlight of Jay’s classic verse comes with the line: “I can kingpin you a line, the diamond of time (uh).” Regardless of what Jay is actually arguing here, he says it with such rhythmic precision, such vocal intensity, that you can’t help agreeing with him.
Go Crazy is hip hop in its purest form. The beat is simple and unemotional, thereby liberating the MCs. Taking advantage this freedom, Jay-Z delivers an incredible verse. This shouldn’t surprise anyone. Jay’s masterpiece, Reasonable Doubt, featured exactly these types of raw, undemanding beats. But that’s a discussion for another day. For now, go crazy.
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