Live review: Jeezy, with Tee Grizzley, Friday at the Uptown

Trap music has come a long way since its advent in the early 2000s. These days, it seems as if half of our new rap stars are cribbing the sounds coming out of Atlanta’s hoods. Though many of these young acts are worth embracing, a throwback to early-era trap fundamentals makes for a refreshing listen in 2018. Enter Jeezy, who rolled into the Uptown Theater on Friday night for his second show there in as many years. 

Jeezy seemed to be in high spirits as he took the stage, quickly harnessing the energy of a well-populated weekend crowd that was ready to party. He toggled between tracks from his latest album, Pressure, and the bangers that bolstered his rise to fame. “Trap Or Die,” from 2005, sounded just as urgent and perhaps even more menacing. Not unlike Jeezy’s all-black getup, some of these songs just don’t go out of style. (Several banners of Jeezy’s signature Snowman logo adorned the stage and balconies.)

The only lull in the set came during a portion carved out for slow jams. While Jeezy has crafted some noteworthy love songs over the years, he often leans on his collaborators, none of whom were present at this show. When it was time to get to the biggest hits — “Soul Survivor” and “Put On” — Jeezy’s confident, throaty shouts shook the audience awake. Before the end of his hourlong set, the Snowman dispensed a couple minutes of what he called “thug motivation,” touching heavily on the power of perseverance. Considering the longevity that Jeezy has shown in the rap game, aspiring rappers should’ve been furiously scribbling down notes.

Tee Grizzley has been the sole support on the Cold Summer Tour, named for the track he shares with the night’s headliner. The Detroit rapper had a breakout year in 2017, following his release from prison in late 2016. The 23-year-old fanned out stacks of cash as he delivered gritty and passionate raps about his court case, his dedication to his friends, and his path to the spotlight. Only a few superfans knew all of the songs, but when it came time to close his set with platinum single “First Day Out,” the entire theater echoed each line — an especially impressive feat, given that the song doesn’t even have a chorus. Kansas City R&B singer Navé Monjo — who signed to 300 Entertainment last year — also joined Grizzley for their song “We Got It Lit.”