Customer Reviews

Cold Summer: The Authorized Mixtape

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a Young Jeezy project, this album is virtually guaranteed to catch unwarranted flack from hip-hop heads who hate on anything mainstream. Jeezy is one of the most targeted emcees in the game today, and anything resembling, or related to his name is sure to draw the ire and criticism of heads who're still living in the '90s. I can almost assure you that anyone who rates this album in one-star territory has NOT listened to this album, and is simply basing their review off of Jeezy's reputation.

Now that the facts have been stated, let's begin the review. U.S.D.A. is an acronym for United Streets Dopeboyz of America, and is Young Jeezy's crew consisting of himself, Slick Pulla, and Blood Raw. Both Slick and Jeezy are ATLiens, whilst Blood Raw comes straight outta hip-hop's latest hotbed, Florida. Their debut album is undoubtedly one of the hottest releases thus far this year, with some of the tightest production found on any album this year. I know the majority of people will dismiss U.S.D.A. as wack emcees who get by on production alone, but that certainly isn't the case here.

Young Jeezy is still one of the most charismatic performers in the game. He may have a lot of haters, and I doubt this album will convert any of them into fans; he's still shouting ad-libs, he's still talking about the trap, and he's surrounded by two emcees who, while widely different from one another, are still cut from virtually the same mold. For his fans who can see Jeezy's depth beyond the cliches that lie on the surface, they'll be praising this album as their champion for the rest of the summer, and beeyond. Young Jeezy's flow has gotten considerabley tighter over each of his releases, from the beginning of his underground career with Thuggin Under the Influence, through his mixtapes, his Boyz N Tha Hood days, his solo venture through Def Jam, and now, his crew's first release as a group. He switches it up numerous times throughout the album, going from the slow, drawn-out style he's become famous for to a faster-paced, higher cadence flow which has been displayed on a number of his latest collaborations with other artists. Slick Pulla is like Jeezy without the adlibs, a bit more traditional style; hardcore heads maybe able to appreciate him more than Jeezy. Blood Raw is a high-pitched Rick Ross with better breath control.

While none of the above may seem very appealing to elitists, one only has to look at the acronym of their name to see what they're about; trap rap. For those who love the stylings of Clipse, T.I., UGK, Rick Ross, and Jeezy himself, this album is an essential to have in your collection. From the metaphore based "White Girl" to the rowdy club-anthem "Get It Up," all three members pour our their dirty souls to their audience to create the best music they possibly can. You can't say these guys are commercial; if they're commercial, it's because pop's following them, not the other way around. Young Jeezy arguably spits the best verse of his entire lifetime on the phenomenal cut, Corporate Thuggin', which is the album's greatest stand-out track, and also rumored second single. Arnaz, who produces this track, is one of the best new producers from any region I've heard in more than a minute; other standouts from this CTE(Corporate Thug Entertainment, Jeezy's label) in-house producer include Pam, I Keep Tellin' Myself and the aforementioned Get It Up.

Live My Life featuring regular Big Boi collaborate, Scar, is one of the smoothest trap-rap tracks I've heard in a minute; definitely another standout on the album, as Scar provides a sensual chorus, and the three Dopeboyz deliver. Respect Da Shield is a dope track featuring CTE artists Rocette and 211, and features more banging production, this time from Sanchez Holmes, and tight verses from the collective and their guests. The album ends on the same high note it began with, as we're given a remix of Jeezy's smash-hit single, Go Getta, this time featuring the highly dope emcees of Bun B and Jadakiss. Everyone delivers a great verse on this track, and it's one of the dopest remixes in a minute.

In the end, there really are no flaws to this album; it's as cohesive, and dope as anything else released this year. Don't let the major label tag stop you from picking it up. Possible album of the year contendor, and once this hits the charts, it'll certainly be a Cold Summer.

After making a name for himself, Young Jeezy hand picks Slick Pulla and Blood Raw to form the group U.S.D.A. for grade A combination unlike his ex-group Boyz N Da Hood. Introduced by a horn selection on "Focus" explaining thier goal and determination to make it. Simmering over a slow tempo on "White Girl" complimenting the acronym U.S.D.A. or United Streets D-Boys of America by glamourizing drug dealing by their success and the best prices for weight. Young Jeezy takes matter in his own hand on "Get It Up" as he shift speed with control of the syncronized horn selection. "Get It Up" explains the paved road to success and wealth by a relentless grind. Making sure you have everything to complete any drug deals, "Check" list the requirements necessary. Addressing critics on "Corporate Thuggin'" explains the reason behind the lyrical contents named after Young Jeezy's label Corporate Thugs Entertainment as competitors should "Respect The Shield" featuring Roccett & 211. "Throw This Money" is a perfect stripper anthem with chants to instruct movement as Slick Pulla interjects "...next thing you know I'm spending a pile of cash / shawty shaking like she got maracas in her a**..." Describing a lady friend and her attributes that may seem suggestive on "Pam" that flows perfectly to "Quickie". As a mainstream attempt on "Live My Life" featuring Scar shows the trio in another light, but still remain true to the streets. Showing pride in your ride on "Ride Tonight" have you in the backseat painting the town or at a car show as "What It Is". "Go Getta Remix" featuring R. Kelly, Jadakiss & Bun B is a great addition to the LP adding dimention and depth with its production. As a majority of Cold Summer is complimented with the multi-layered horn sections gives presence for the group. Each U.S.D.A. member added their own flavor to complete the project with success.

This album is lackluster to me. I wasn't able to really listen to it from beginning to end because I simply wasn't impressed. Though I respect the effort, I think USDA has failed to live up to the strong success of Jeezy's two prior solo albums 'Thug Motivation' and 'The Inspiration'. The USDA album seems to be thrown together and hopefully next time, the effort will be better.

YOUNG JEEZY IS OKAY BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN A REAL BIG FAN. I BROUGHT THUG MOTIVATION AND THE INSPIRATION AND WAS NEVER ABLE TO LISTEN TO THE C.D.S WITHOUT SKIPPING OVER SONGS. I THINK IT WAS TO MUCH OF YOUNG JEEZY VOICE BY HIMSELF.BUT WHILE I WAS IN ATL I HEARD USDA. AND I BROUGHT THE C.D. AND WAS VERY SURPRISED THAT I COULD JUST PUT IN THE CD AND LET IS RIDE FROM BEGINNING TO END. BLOODROW AND SLICK PULLA HELP BALANCE OUT THE SONGS WITH YOUNG JEEZY. I LOVE THE CD. ME AND MY FRIENDS HAVE BEEN BUMPING IT NON STOP FOR THE PAST MONTH. I WOULD RECOMMENED ANY ONE TO BUY IT AND TRY IT. THERE SONGS TO RIDE, DANCE, CHILL AND GET U IN THE MOOD TO GET FREAKY ON THERE. ITS GREAT!

We all know who Jeezy is and what were going to get from him so let me enlighten you on the other two members: Slick Pulla and Blood Raw.
Slick Pulla: Prior to this I've heard him on some mixtapes. Even though his rhymes were mediocre he gave Jeezy a run for his money but on here his rhymes are subpar to say the least.
Blood Raw: The worst rap clone in rap history next to The Realest(2pac clone) and Drag-on(DMX's mini me)! He sounds like Snagglepuss and rhymes like Jeezy. I mean heavens to murgatroid since Jeezy wants to sign clones he might as well bury the hatchet with his equally wack archrival Gucci Womane and sign him. There are only two tracks that are worth mentioning. Check is the best song on here and Ride Tonight is okay. The first single White Girl is so stupid one has to wonder how anybody can call it a banger plus the hook is just as silly as the song itself. Classic examples of beatwasting is exhibited on Corporate Thuggin, Get It Up and Focus as all three bust some suspect verses over those dope beats. The original version of Go Getta was nothing to brag about but its better than the lackluster remix with Jadakiss(who had the only decent verse on the track). I Keep Tellin Myself, Pam and Quickie should have been found their way into the studio trash can like this mixtape. Bottom Line: Cold Summer is one of the worst releases of 2007. Young Jeezy, Slick Pulla and Blood Raw busts below average rhymes over dope production(with a few exceptions on the production part) and its safe to say that Jeezy is only going to get worse. Just avoid what comes out of this camp like a rabid dog.

To eloborate on C. Allen's review... the tracks on this album are bangin'. Coming out of ATL, its refreshing to hear an album that doesnt have a dance to match every freakin song. Young Jeezy successfully kept the same winning formula from his debut album with USDA. He still keeps it as street on this album as he did with his underground mixtapes like "I Am The Street Dream" & "Snowman."

I heard he has a mixtape with Fabolous coming out called "When The North & South Collide Part 2"...should be a banger!!!

I gave this a 5 star rating based on the fact it is a mixtape and not an album. If it was an album I would have given it 4 stars but that's besides the point. The USDA did their thing on this album and I'm happy Jeezy introduced them to the public on a commercial standpoint. Like all of other Jeezy related material, there is some solid production. If your not familiar with Jeezy or what he's about then the content of this mixtape may be over your head. Besides that, Jeezy drops some very good verses. Slick and Bloodraw need a little more time to develop.

Some songs I preferred were:
12. I Keep Tellin' Myself, 09. Live My Life, 07. Pam, and 05. Corporate Thuggin'.

I picked up this CD on a whim, for 8 bucks at Target, expecting another Jeezy sounding album. I was pleasently surprised.
The three guys sound nice together and compliment eachothers rhymes greatly.
Every song had a different sound, which is a problem on Jeezy's albums.. all the songs sound the same. Each song has a completely different beat and sound!
"White Girl," the first single, actually ends up being one of the songs I like the least.. which is something I didn't expect.
If you have a good system, this album BANGS.
Pick it up, it's probably better then you expect!

I wasn't a fan of Boyz N Da Hood, and I wasn't too excited about Young Jeezy by himself either when he released Let's Get It. But he seemed like he was getting some swagger on other people's albums, so I was just about set to check out The Inspiration. However, he and his friends Slick Pulla and Blood Raw formed U.S.D.A. and released Cold Summer not even six months later, and the results are, well, expected.

This isn't a totally flawed album, however. In the opposite of how things usually work, the radio-friendly joints are actually the best tracks, like "Corporate Thuggin'" and "Live My Life" (featuring Scar). The remix of "Go Getta" (with Bun-B, Jadakiss, and R. Kelly, although I don't remember hearing Jada) is also good. Another highlight is the album's opener, "Focus".

But what the album has in notable guest stars, it lacks in creative subject matter. Been-there-done-that topics are in abundance, and there are usually two songs in a row that use the same played-out topic, like freaky girls ("Pam" and "Quickie") and ridin' rims ("Ride Tonight" and "What It Is"). And as another reviewer said, referring to cocaine as a "White Girl" isn't anything new; still, that song is cornier than a bag of Fritos.

Jeezy IS improving with his flow, but for him and his crew to create a rushed album full of old subject matter is not the way to go, so this really isn't choice material; instead, it really MIGHT make things turn into a cold summer.

Anthony Rupert

Pablo stated the album for all it is. If you're even remotely a fan of Jeezy's music you'll definitely feel this album. Every song is unique, the production has some of the best beats I've heard, and its all around great. Check it out and you won't be disappointed.