SPIN

Monday night, Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy (right, above) rolled into Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the latest stop on histour in support of Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition, his upcoming fourth studio LP (out September 20). He brought along a special guest, too: Freddie Gibbs (left, above), one of SPIN's favorite rising rappers, who recently inked with Jeezy's label, the Def Jam–distributed CTE (Corporate Thugz Entertainment). Together the duo rocked a packed house at the Orbit Room, and SPIN contributing photographer Joe Gall was on the scene.

"It was a real hip-hop show," he tells SPIN. "No gimmicks. They were keeping it real."

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By 11 P.M. the packed crowd was amped and ready for Jeezy, who showed up an hour late. "The crowd had to wait but it was worth it!" says Gall. With help from a crew of hype men, Jeezy (right) "covered all his records. He did everybody's favorite shit."

Jeezy, who made his name in the Southern rap groups U.S.D.A. (United Streets Dopeboyz of America) and Boyz N Da Hood, strutted the stage, spitting rhymes on medleys that included 45-second clips of tracks from his upcoming LP, Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition. He also performed classics like "Go Crazy," "I Luv It," "Go Getta," and "My Hood," from his 2005 debut Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101. "The room was full of energy," says Gall. "Everyone knew all the lyrics. It was a wild time."

Jeezy, a street-raised rapper who's served time at a boot camp for narcotics possession and was investigated for involvement in a shooting in 2005, was nearly killed in 2007 when his Lamborghini crashed outside his pal P. Diddy's Atlanta restaurant Justin's. He was arrested for DUI and has since cleaned up his act. Onstage, he preached about the positive aspects of his new life.

"He was all about his thug motivation anthem," says Gall. "He preached about having to hustle hard to live, and about how you don't have to be unhappy to be a gangster. He didn't talk shit about anybody, which is certainly a change of events from his past. He didn't glorify money, either, praising people who have only $20 in their pockets and how they'll have the most fun."

Gibbs' set was only 20 minutes long, but it was impactful. Performing only a few hours drive from his hometown of Gary, Indiana, Gibbs dropped verses from his 2010 album, Str8 Killa, and his upcoming LP Baby-Faced Killa.

The crowd was dancing and rapping along all night, and Gibbs shared in the communal vibe. He high-fived fans and even shared blunts.

Young Jeezy's tour continues into the fall. To see the full dates click here.