Back That Azz Up
"Back That Azz Up", also released in a censored version as "Back That Thang Up", is a hip-hop song by American rapper Juvenile featuring production and vocals from Mannie Fresh and vocals from Lil Wayne, issued as the second single from Juvenile's 1998 album 400 Degreez on June 11, 1999.[1][2] Produced by Mannie Fresh, the track embodies the New Orleans bounce style with its bass-heavy beat and call-and-response structure, instructing women to dance provocatively by shaking their buttocks.[3] The song propelled 400 Degreez to quadruple platinum status by the RIAA, signifying over four million units sold in the United States, driven by its infectious rhythm and Juvenile's distinctive delivery.[4][2] It peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a breakthrough for Cash Money Records in mainstream markets, and has since been certified triple platinum for the single itself, reflecting combined sales and streaming equivalents exceeding three million.[5] Widely recognized for mainstreaming twerking as a dance phenomenon, the track's explicit lyrics and video faced initial radio hesitancy over vulgarity but endured as a party anthem, influencing hip-hop's Southern wave and earning annual commemorations like "Back That Azz Up Day" in New Orleans.[3][6]Origins and Production
Development and Writing
"Back That Azz Up" originated during sessions for Juvenile's album 400 Degreez, with the hook composed by Juvenile (Terius Gray) roughly five to six months before the single's February 1999 release.[3] The track's explicit lyrics reflect New Orleans bounce music's party-oriented style, emphasizing call-and-response and dance instructions rooted in local hip-hop traditions.[3] Mannie Fresh (Byron O. Thomas), Cash Money Records' primary producer, developed the beat, drawing from regional "slab" cadences and string samples to create its bouncy, bass-heavy foundation.[7] After hearing Juvenile's hook, Fresh contributed a verse, later describing the synergy as "magical" for its immediate energy.[3] Lil Wayne (Dwayne Carter), a teenage Hot Boys member, added the outro verse, enhancing the track's playful, syrupy tone.[3] Songwriting credits list Gray, Carter, and Thomas as co-writers, covering lyrics and composition.[8] Final vocals were recorded in a rushed Nashville session on Music Row, amid last-minute album refinements.[3] Juvenile initially questioned its single viability, prioritizing other tracks, yet its raw depiction of club culture proved pivotal.[3]Recording Process
The track "Back That Azz Up" was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, during sessions for Juvenile's third studio album 400 Degreez, as one of the final songs completed, just two days after "Ha".[9] Mannie Fresh produced the song, rapidly programming the beat on an E-mu SP-1200 drum machine in approximately two minutes, layering a simplified New Orleans bounce rhythm and tuned bass elements—without keyboards—over Juvenile's pre-existing raps, which had initially been laid to a Triggerman breakbeat.[10] Creative tensions marked the process, with Juvenile initially resisting Fresh's beat and describing the studio environment as a "war" due to disagreements on direction.[11] Under tight deadlines, Juvenile improvised the hook's ad-libbed phrases such as "yeah" and "huh" on the spot, without prior writing, after expressing dissatisfaction with earlier vocal takes and opting to overhaul them.[11][12] Fresh contributed an original verse positioned earlier in the track, but Juvenile requested its relocation to the end, leading him to adapt his flow to align with Fresh's style for better cohesion.[10] Lil Wayne recorded his featured verse during these sessions, contributing to the song's collaborative Cash Money Records sound.[9]Release and Commercial Performance
Single Release and Promotion
"Back That Thang Up," the radio-edited version of "Back That Azz Up," was released as the second single from Juvenile's third studio album 400 Degreez on February 24, 1999, via Cash Money Records in partnership with Universal Records.[13] The single was available in formats including promotional CD and 12-inch vinyl pressings, featuring contributions from Mannie Fresh on production and additional verses, alongside an appearance by Lil Wayne.[14] Juvenile initially expressed skepticism about the track's potential as a lead single, doubting its appeal beyond local New Orleans bounce music circles.[3] Promotion efforts focused on leveraging the song's explicit, dance-oriented content to build buzz in urban radio markets and club scenes. The accompanying music video, directed and released around mid-1999, depicted women performing the song's titular "back that thang up" dance moves—early mainstream exposure of twerking—amid scenes with Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, and Lil Wayne, which aired on networks like BET and MTV to amplify its visual and rhythmic hook.[15] Cash Money's grassroots marketing, rooted in the label's New Orleans origins, emphasized street-level play and live performances to drive organic popularity, aligning with the label's rising national profile following the album's November 1998 release.[16]Chart Performance
"Back That Azz Up," released as a single on June 11, 1999, achieved significant commercial success on U.S. charts despite its explicit content limiting radio play in some markets. The track debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 dated July 10, 1999, and climbed to its peak position of number 19 on the chart dated November 20, 1999, marking Juvenile's highest-charting single at the time until "Slow Motion" reached number 1 in 2004. On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, "Back That Azz Up" entered on June 26, 1999, and ascended to number 1 on the chart dated October 9, 1999, underscoring its dominance within the genre. The song also performed strongly on the Hot Rap Songs chart, peaking at number 9.[17] These peaks reflected the track's regional bounce music appeal expanding nationally, driven by club play, video airtime on MTV, and word-of-mouth popularity in the Southern hip-hop scene.[1]| Chart (1999) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Billboard Hot 100 | 19 |
| Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 1 |
| Hot Rap Songs | 9 |