They say good things come to those who wait. Unfortunately, I am not your typical patient person, so waiting for Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy to release his newest album was a grueling experience. His last album, The Recession that came out back in 2008, was an absolute homerun of a record and left Jeezy fans like myself wanting more. Unfortunately, we have been subject to four years of a painstaking wait, sprinkled with numerous album delays and mixtape teases. That should be a crime.

Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition was surrounded by hype and anticipation the moment the album was announced almost two years ago. Young Jeezy has never released a bad album, and his newest work ensures that his reputation carries on.

Jeezy's newest record features 14 tracks, and the deluxe edition features 18, including the single "Lose My Mind" with Plies. As expected, the album boasts many production heavyweights including Drumma Boy, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, and newcomer Lil' Lody, who produced a total of eight songs, including the deluxe edition.

The first single is "F.A.M.E.," which features T.I. and the production work of J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. This isn't the traditional Jeezy-type beat, as the song isn't very busy instrumentally and is highly accentuated with 808 drums, but nonetheless it adds a welcome ingredient of variety to the album. T.I.'s verse is well done but is too short, which makes the song sound a bit uneven and incomplete. Regardless, it's a good song.

The fourth single is "I Do" featuring Jay-Z and André 3000. The song is great. With a trio of talented artists, the track is by far the most lyrically sophisticated and satisfying on the album. All three leave nothing to be desired and showcase their writing and rapping talent exceptionally, proving why they're all as good as they are. The beat is highlighted by percussion instruments and background choir vocals, giving the listener the impression of being at an extravagant celebration of talented musicians. How convenient.

"Leave You Alone" featuring Ne-Yo is an absolute joy to the ear. I don't think there is one song in which Ne-Yo is featured that I haven't liked, but that doesn't matter. Ne-Yo delivers yet another nicely sung chorus and hook, and is a perfect contrast to Jeezy's wheezy voice. The beat, produced by Warren G., is simplistic but fits like a glove with the song's vibe. It was my favourite song on the album.

Honourable mentions include ".38" featuring Freddie Gibbs and "This One's for You" featuring Trick Daddy. Must listen: "OJ" with Fabolous and Jadakiss.

Overall, the album is very well rounded. Everything about it fits, from the production cast to the lyrics to the featured artists included. Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition is the epitome of a good modern-day hip-hop record and is a highly recommended piece for the rap fan's collection. It may have taken too long, but in the end, the reward was very much worth the wait.

Rating: 4 out of 5