Let me just say that Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe by Jeezy is absolutely phenomenal. As someone who has been a fan of Jeezy’s music for years, I was excited to dive into his first book, but nothing could have prepared me for just how powerful and raw this story would be. I was so blown away that I had to get the audiobook, too, just to hear Jeezy tell his story in his own voice—it’s an experience I can’t recommend enough.

This book is a masterclass in hustle, grit, and perseverance. Jeezy doesn’t just skim the surface of his life; he digs deep into the truth behind his music and the experiences that shaped him into the man he is today. From growing up in poverty in South Georgia’s “Black belt” to becoming a successful artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Jeezy takes you on a journey that’s as inspiring as it is eye-opening.

What I love most about Adversity for Sale is the honesty. Jeezy doesn’t sugarcoat anything—he lays it all out there, from the harsh realities of life in the streets to the strange ways people justify their actions. He’s not just telling his story; he’s teaching lessons, offering insights, and motivating you to go out and get after your dreams. This isn’t just a memoir; it’s a blueprint for success straight from someone who’s lived it.

Hearing Jeezy’s voice on the audiobook adds another layer to the experience. His delivery is authentic, powerful, and full of the same energy that made his music legendary. You can feel the emotion, the struggle, and the triumph in every word, making the story even more impactful.

As a New York Times & Wall Street Journal bestseller, it’s clear that Adversity for Sale resonates with many people—and for good reason. It’s not just a book for fans of Jeezy; it’s for anyone who’s ever faced adversity and needs that push to keep going. It’s a reminder that no matter where you start, you can achieve greatness with the right mindset and determination.

Whether reading it or listening to the audiobook, Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe is a must-have. It’s filled with inspiration from the hood, the lessons of going legit, and the kind of truth rarely shared so openly. Jeezy’s story isn’t just his—it’s for anyone who believes in the power of perseverance.

If you're as big of a fan of Jeezy as I am, then this is a must read! Learning the backstory to how some of my favorite songs came about was such a full circle moment. I'm so grateful that he touched on the verzuz battle because that was such a special moment in hip hop and I definitely wanted his take on it. I had heard bits and pieces of his business side but I'm glad he dived further into that as well, I respect him immensely as a business person now.

Jeezy has been a hustler from a young age. While I can't recommend this book to my students because of the propensity of drug narrative, I appreciated the second half of the book, where he focuses on his music and becomes much more reflective. Unlike other memoirs, it is not clear to me that Jeezy learns anything about himself or grows...he simply seems to be a product of the situations in which he is in. He put in work to get there, of course, but the end product is still very raw and unrealized.

"Adversity for Sale" by Jeezy is a raw and unfiltered journey through the highs and lows of life. Jeezy's storytelling is like a punch to the gut, pulling you into the struggles and triumphs of his own experiences. The book is not just about adversity; it's about turning challenges into opportunities.

Jeezy's authenticity shines through every page, making you feel like you're having a heart-to-heart conversation with a wise friend who has been through it all. His insights are both relatable and inspiring, offering a fresh perspective on how to navigate life's inevitable obstacles.

What sets "Adversity for Sale" apart is its fusion of street smarts with genuine wisdom. Jeezy doesn't just share his success; he breaks down the blueprint for resilience and growth, urging readers to view adversity as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block.

This book isn't just a read; it's a conversation starter, a motivator, and a reminder that, in the grand scheme of things, adversity might just be the best investment you'll ever make. Jeezy's voice is a beacon of hope in a world that often feels like a storm – a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and a roadmap to turn setbacks into comebacks.

Adversity for Sale is Jeezy’s memoir, detailing his successful rise as a rapper. His journey wasn’t quick and it wasn’t always smooth. Growing up in Hawkinsville, Georgia, south of Atlanta, Jay Jenkins (aka Jeezy) hustled constantly to improve his circumstances and work toward his dreams.

My life is pretty different from Jeezy’s, now and before he became a rapper, but his commitment to pursuing his dreams and not settling is still motivating. Jeezy fans will appreciate his story, and I enjoyed listening to the audiobook which he narrates himself.

I will admit, I knew little or nothing about Jeezy before reading this book. I knew he was a rap/hip-hop artist but that's about all I knew. In this book, Jeezy shares his story in a very raw & authentic manner. He shares his story from his days as a hustler on the streets to the start of his musical career. From an early age, Jeezy learned how to hustle & survive in the streets. While I'm not fond of street life, it is an essential part of his story. This book was very insightful.

4 stars

A heartfelt look at Jeezy's life and struggles to get where he is at. Well paced and engaging.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

Jay Jenkins, better known as Young Jeezy, is an influential rapper credited for pioneering trap music. In his new memoir titled Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe, he shares never heard stories of his life and business. From day one, he turned nothing into something with his business-savvy mind and marketing genius at a young age. Please do not confuse this as a street memoir or just another book by a rapper; it is a deeply personal story that will motivate readers to go after your dreams despite your circumstances, obstacles, environment or adversity in the way of success.

Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe is the authentic hip-hop memoir I didn't know the culture needed until I read it. Jeezy is one of my favorite artists. I knew some of his background through lyrics but the book gives greater detail. Jeezy explains his home life growing up, teenage years as a street hustler, connections to B.M.F., a timeline of his rap career and more. He truly has Seen it All.

There are two (2) factors keeping me from rating Adversity for Sale a full 5⭐️ book. I am curious about the title based on the content. Not once is "adversity" mentioned in the book. By definition, difficulties and misfortune are covered and Jeezy definitely showed resilience in the face of adversity. But for sale? Huh? The subtitle "Ya Gotta Believe" is much better suited.

The second factor is the abrupt ending. It leaves readers hanging in a way that is incomplete, not as a cliffhanger. It is such a hard stop that I am sending an email to the publisher to confirm whether my advance copy is missing pages intended for the ending. If so, I will return here and update my rating. Otherwise, I am left with a glaring question: how did this get past editing?

Overall, Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe is a great addition to the literary world of hip-hop. I recommend this new release to Jeezy fans, rap music fans and readers that enjoy a good coming-of-age memoir. Like I previously mentioned, the lessons within are sure to motivate. To enhance your reading experience, I highly suggest playing the songs referenced on your music streaming app of choice. It slowed my reading time down by taking a break to jam to each lyric mentioned but I would read it no other way.

Happy Early Pub Day, Jeezy! Adversity for Sale will be available Tuesday, August 8.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~ LiteraryMarie

As a huge fan of Jeezy I was excited to read Adversity for Sale and it did not disappoint. In Adversity for Sale, Jeezy writes about growing up with his paternal grandmother, Ms. Mattie Pickett, who was an important matriarch both in his family and within his community in the South. He writes about growing up with his cousins and all the mischief he got into as a young boy who stole, hustled, and schemed his way into making a dollar. All of these early experiences informed who he became as a leader, business-minded, street entrepreneur and respected hustler in the music industry.

I enjoyed reading about his journey getting signed by Def Jam and all of the chaos he had to navigate as a hustler in the hood trying to determine who was actually a friend and who could not be trusted. From a young age, Jeezy knew that he wanted a flashy, big life but in order to gain it he had to remain under the radar until he could build up his street credit and his pockets enough to make baller moves - and baller moves is what he's made ever since! I also love how he reminds the music industry that without him authentic trap music would not exist.

The most important aspect of this memoir is that Jeezy simply tells it like it is, the honest truth about his experiences. He doesn't glamorize street life. If anything he is deeply honest about the toll this life takes on the psyche and his own personal struggles with paranoia and anxiety. By the time he was 17 he was making bank. Without knowing who he could trust will the full truth of his success, he had to manage a lot of the mental and emotional struggles on his own in order to persist and make his dreams happen.

This is a memoir that fans of Jeezy and really anyone who enjoys reading stories about real people overcoming real circumstances in the hood will love.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!