After Young Jeezy announced a new album and debuted a brand new single, his new episode of Magnum Opus also debuted on ComplexTV earlier today (Aug 31).

Speaking with the people who really made the record help transform Jeezy from your average dopeboy to a household name, the interviews paint the perfect picture of how hard work, dedication, hustle and timing were the key ingredients to the hit. DJ Drama, Akon, Shawty Redd, Bu, the Snowman himself and more all tell tale of the life changing record. Must see TV here.

Watch the video below…

For this episode, of course we had to talk to Jeezy about how the Akon collaboration came about, how he thought the song would ruin his career, and how he felt like he had made it when he shot the music video. We also spoke with Jeezy’s long time producer, Shawty Redd about how he and Jeezy crafted the trap music sound together as Jeezy rose through the independent scene. Meanwhile, DJ Drama details the impact of his mixtapes with Jeezy, Streets Is Watching and Trap or Die, and how they set the streets on fire. Although Akon had agreed to do an interview, he ended up bailing on us so instead we spoke with his brother, Abou “Bu” Thiam about how this song was just as important for Akon as it was for Young. We even talked to ESPN analyst, and well-known Jeezy enthusiast, Jay Bilas about how even he relates to trap music.

Benny Boom, who directed the music video for “Soul Survivor,” revealed how BMF’s Big Meech rolled up in two Maybachs to the video shoot for “Soul Survivor” and blocked Jay Z’s Maybach. Def Jam’s Shawn Pecas recalled the role the late, great Shakir Stewart played in Jeezy’s career. And finally, Complex’s own Editor-In-Chief Noah-Callahan Bever explained how Jeezys rumored nefarious street connections added an element of danger to his music. — COMPLEX

Related:
Magnum Opus: The Making of Gang Starr’s “Mass Appeal”
Magnum Opus: The Making of A$AP Rocky’s “Purple Swag”