Juvenile might not have imagined that his iconic 1998 hit “Back That Azz Up” would continue to be a goldmine over a decade later, thanks to a crafty sampling by Drake.
In a chat with Jeremy Hecht, Juvenile shared how the news of Drake sampling his song for the track “Practice” left him surprised yet thrilled. Despite some initial skepticism about Drake’s approach, Juvenile was impressed by Drake’s unique take on the tune.
He amusingly recalled being told, “Listen to it,” to which he replied confidently, “It’s Drake, mothafucka. I don’t need to fucking listen to it.” Yet, listening to it confirmed Drake’s creativity, and Juvenile was all in for clearing the sample.
Royalties still roll in from Drake’s version as well as other artists like Beyoncé, City Girls, and Kanye West using beats from “Back That Azz Up.” Juvenile, alongside Mannie Fresh, retains ownership of their publishing, encouraging others to sample their work.
Eminem recently also paid tribute to Juvenile’s brilliance by using the classic hit “Ha” in his own music. Juvenile and Mannie Fresh see this sampling trend as a major compliment, especially when major artists are involved.
Juvenile noted that having big names like Eminem and Jay-Z feature their work is a badge of honor. “You can stick your chest out,” as Fresh put it, when discussing these instances in casual conversations. “Did Eminem ever rap on any of your beats?'”
Juvenile’s legacy lives on, continually reigniting through the works of contemporary artists who appreciate and transform his classics. It’s a testament to the timeless influence of his original music.
