Hip-hop legend Juvenile is set to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his iconic hit “Back That Azz Up” with an exciting nationwide tour. In honor of this milestone, the City of New Orleans is declaring June 11, 2024, as “Back That Azz Up Day,” city celebrating the song that has become a cultural phenomenon and a staple of the city’s vibrant musical heritage. To celebrate this new holiday, citizens of New Orleans and the world are invited to play or request the song, and share their favorite memories of the anthem or create new ones using #BackThatAzzUpDay.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans has issued a proclamation recognizing the significant impact of “Back That Azz Up,” produced by the legendary Mannie Fresh and featuring the esteemed Lil Wayne. The music video, released on June 11, 1999, as the second single from Juvenile’s 1998 4x Platinum album 400 Degreez. The song itself transcended its New Orleans roots to become a beloved worldwide anthem. It instantly became a top charting Billboard Hot 100 songs, was the #1 most requested song on the beloved music video channel “The Box”, and truly dominated the summer of 1999 beyond industry measurement. The song has become ubiquitous in movies, tv, current songs, sporting events, celebrations of all kinds, memes and in 2021, it was listed as one of Rolling Stone’s “Top 500 Best Songs of All Time.”
Juvenile’s Statement: “I am beyond excited to celebrate 25 years of ‘Back That Azz Up’ with my fans. This song has been a huge part of my musical journey, and it’s amazing to see it still resonate with people today and I can’t wait for the moment each night of the tour when the song drops.
“One thing about me that’s different from other artists is that I really do listen to my fans. And my fans turn out to really know what’s best for me. They are the ones who made me do Tiny Desk. I hadn’t even heard of NPR to be honest. Then they took to the internet and demanded shows in their cities with the band. God is great and my fans sold all of those shows out. That’s why we are going on tour of the rest of the country.
“The other thing I will say is that at this point in my career I realized I really like this live band stuff. I don’t think you’ll ever catch me without my band again I just love it that much. It’s something about it that I’ll never go back to before. And the fans really seem to appreciate that I actually sound like the records singing live with my 400 Degreez Band.”
Legendary Tiny Desk Concert: Juvenile recently electrified fans with his NPR Music Tiny Desk concert, performing a 10-song set that included hits like “Set It Off,” “Slow Motion,” and “Back That Azz Up.” The 23-minute set, featuring a full backing band and Cash Money Records producer Mannie Fresh, highlighted the rapper’s timeless talent and enduring appeal. Special guests Trombone Shorty and Jon Batiste and musicians from the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra added to the unforgettable performance. This concert, which came to fruition after Juvenile humorously reconsidered following a viral tweet challenge, has reignited nostalgia and enthusiasm among longtime fans and new listeners. Read more about the Tiny Desk concert or view it here.
Tickets for the “Back That Azz Up” 25th Anniversary Tour will go on presale starting today and onsale to general public on June 15, 2024, at 10 AM local time. Look on Juvenile’s and the venues’ social media for presale codes. Fans can find links to buy tickets and meet and greets through JuvenileOfficial.com/Tour
About Juvenile: Juvenile, born Teruis Gray, is a bonafide hip-hop legend. Through the timelessness of his classic records, he has helped to cement the legacy of the Cash Money era while enjoying a cross-generational appeal via the magic of social media. Juvenile stays ubiquitous – you cannot go to a major event, a club night, or even listen to a new music release without hearing Juvie’s influence or actual music and lyrics.
Juvenile’s most recent reinvention outside music revolves around strategic hometown partnerships and products that result from his various passions, along with his innate entrepreneurial spirit. Current plans beyond his already popular Juvie Juice spiked iced tea and savory Cheewee’s snacks include a mobile game themed around his favorite casino game of craps, his own cognac brand YAC launching during Tales of the Cocktail (the world’s largest cocktail awards ceremony and convention, hosted in New Orleans annually), ‘Haa! Sauce’ hot sauce, a CBD/THC drink called ‘Slo Motion,’ and more food products and even a cookbook of his private recipes. His products will be featured alongside the tour and many will be available in the merch booth.
