Jeezy credits big brother Jay-Z with helping land his Def Jam deal

Jeezy told Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on All the Smoke that Jay-Z is more like a brother than a friend, and that knowing him helped him negotiate his Def Jam deal around the time Jay-Z became the label's president in 2004. He also recalled Jay-Z and Beyonce showing up to his Trap or Die release party. For rising artists, it is a reminder that real relationships with people a step ahead of you can shape the deals you get.