“Go Crazy (Remix)” – Young Jeezy with Jay-Z
(Words/music: D. Cannon, J.L. Jenkins, B. Krass, C. Mayfield, available on Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 – Deluxe Edition, Def Jam 2005)

Two things stand out in this remix of “Go Crazy.”  The first is the beat – built around a sample of Curtis Mayfield’s “(Man, Oh Man) I Want to Go Back,” this track feels like a lot of the soul based sampling from the middle of the decade.  The thing that makes it unique is the way the beat flows – it’s a half-time beat but those drum rolls make it feel like an off-centered washing machine.  It still moves in time, but half of the bar feels heavier than the other.  Between this odd beat and the hazy use of the sample, producer Don Cannon creates a surreal feel to the song.  Jeezy’s verse locks right into the beat, making the drums sound like they’re embellishing around his steadiness.  It works perfectly with Jeezy’s style – one that I’ve always felt works better rhythmically than it does lyrically.

Of course, the “Go Crazy” remix benefits from having Jeezy’s then boss Jay-Z on the track.  It’s not Jay’s best verse nor his best guest verse, but his presence commands attention.  I first heard this track on the radio and had no idea that Jay was on it, so when he emerged it almost sounded like a daydream.  Still, even if Jay sleepwalks slightly through the track, he still drops a few gems.  As a baseball fan, I’ve always loved the “more than the relief pitcher, I’m the closer / the Mariano of the Mariott” line.  If guest verses are like bringing in a relief pitcher to finish it off, bringing Jay-Z in for a verse would be like handing the ball to Mariano Rivera to close out the game.

More on Young Jeezy: Allmusic | Amazon MP3 | Emusic | Last.fm