Juvenile Reveals He Still Makes Money From Drake Sampling ‘Back That Azz Up’
Juvenile, the iconic rapper from New Orleans, recently opened up about the lasting financial benefits of his classic 1998 hit “Back That Azz Up,” which was famously sampled by Drake in his 2011 album Take Care. In a conversation with Jeremy Hecht for HipHopDX, published on October 23, 2024, Juvenile confirmed that he continues to receive royalties from the Drake sample, as well as from numerous other artists who have incorporated the track into their music.
When Juvenile first heard Drake’s reworked version titled “Practice,” he was initially skeptical. “I was told it wasn’t gonna be like mine… I listened to it and was like, ‘Okay, he made his own creative way of it. How much?’” he recalled. This acknowledgment of Drake’s unique interpretation highlights the mutual respect between the two artists. Juvenile praised Drake’s creativity, acknowledging that he never expected the sampling to mirror his original work.
In an exciting twist for fans and aspiring artists alike, Juvenile encouraged others to sample his work, stating, “I actually do [still get random checks from that]. Shout out to all the cats that wanna sample it. Me and Mannie Fresh still own our publishing and everything, so please, sample it!” His openness about sampling reflects a broader trend in hip-hop, where artists often pay homage to their predecessors through clever reinterpretations of classic tracks.
Juvenile’s influence in the industry extends beyond “Back That Azz Up.” Recently, Eminem sampled another of Juvenile’s hits, “Ha,” on his new album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), further cementing Juvenile’s impact on the genre. During discussions with Hot 97’s DJ Drewski, both Juvenile and Mannie Fresh expressed pride in their music being recognized by such prominent artists. Juvenile remarked, “We can’t do nothing with these songs sitting down… I applaud the artists… that got talent.”
The conversation reflects a growing appreciation for the legacies of hip-hop veterans, as newer artists continue to draw inspiration from their iconic predecessors. As Juvenile’s enduring success demonstrates, the sampling of classic tracks not only pays tribute to the original artists but also introduces their music to new generations, ensuring their relevance in the ever-evolving landscape of hip-hop.
