Legendary Rapper Says Birmingham ‘Helped Put My Music on the Map’

Renowned rapper Juvenile, in an exclusive interview with al.com, revealed that Birmingham had a significant part to play in his rise to stardom. Juvenile, real name Terius Gray, is currently midway through his “Back That Azz Up” 25th Anniversary Tour, which includes performances at prominent venues across the United States.

The rapper, flanked by DJ Mannie Fresh and the 400 Degreez Band, was en route to his next performance in Birmingham when he took some time to share his sentiments about the city. His journey to Birmingham came on the heels of a series of exceptionally successful shows in Washington D.C. and New York City.

Coming Home to Birmingham

“I’m always in Birmingham,” Juvenile confessed to al.com, “They’ve bought a whole lot of records from me. I’ve been consistently booked for shows from the very beginning, before I inked the record deal with Universal. The city definitely helped put my music on the map.”

Juvenile’s hit song, “Back That Azz Up,” featuring DJ Mannie Fresh and Lil Wayne, has garnered widespread international recognition. The track has become a staple at gatherings, from house parties and weddings to concerts and homecomings. Reflecting on the song’s incredible four-decade-long journey, the rapper confessed, “Being around this long, 26 years, it’s crazy.”

The Impact of ‘Back That Azz Up’

He recently appeared on the popular syndicated morning radio show “The Breakfast Club,” where he admitted that it took a decade for him to realize the song’s timeless appeal. He said, “I was like ‘Wow, I’m never going to be able to take a break,’ People are going to keep booking me for shows, bar mitzvahs, weddings.”

The rapper also recounted his 2023 performance on ‘Tiny Desk,’ a popular YouTube concert series. His performance there racked up more than 8 million views, leading him to remark, “Once I did that ‘Tiny Desk’, it was like I won a Grammy. My phone started blowing up. Nothing but money. I opened up nine businesses.”

Juvenile’s Empire of Businesses

His array of businesses includes multiple ‘Juvie Juice’ flavors (beer), hot sauce, potato chips, cognac, a video game, rolling papers, marijuana, along with upcoming products like coffees, wine, and a streaming app.

Juvenile last performed in Birmingham a year ago, marking 25 years of his career-defining album “400 Degreez” at Avondale Brewery. The iconic album, released in 1998, went four-times platinum, featuring hit numbers like “Ha” and “Back That Azz Up.” Juvenile’s illustrious career also includes many well-known Cash Money Records tracks like “Slow Motion,” “Project Chick” and “Hot Boys” featuring Lil Wayne, B.G., Turk, and Big Tymers.

An Evening with Juvenile

Juvenile & the 400 Degreez Band are scheduled to perform at Iron City on Wednesday, August 14 at 8 p.m. The show is open to all ages, with tickets available for purchase via Ticketmaster. Prices range from $59 to $74.

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