Cash Money Records’ string of hits is unmatched by any other hip hop record label. While many would argue with the success of Def Jam, they are wholly-owned by the Universal Music Group. Cash Money, on the other hand, is simply distributed by UMG. Long before their national and international success, the label was dominant on the local New Orleans hip hop scene. But, when Cash Money Records first entered the national spotlight, Juvenile was the major player.
In 2001, following a dispute with Cash Money Records, Juvenile left and heavily invested in his own movement, UTP Records. During the late 1990s, the peak of Cash Money Records’ initial run, Juvenile posted one of the label’s most-popular hits, “Back That Azz Up.” Recorded in 1998, the song was released during the summer of 1999, becoming a major hit. However, the royalties of the song, the album which contained it, and more led to Juve’s departure.
While Cash Money Records did have a rough streak, the label bounced back through the success of fellow Hot Boyz member, Lil Wayne. Not only did Lil Wayne elevate his game to the top, he also created his own label, Young Money, which operates under Cash Money Records. It has been through Young Money, where Cash Money Records’ recent string of success has come from. While the mainstream label does boast the likes of Bow Wow and others, Young Money is the home of current hitmakers, Drake and Nicki Minaj.
Recently, Drake’s Take Care album leaked to the internet and the track, “Practice,” turned heads. The song is a slowed-down, R&B version of Juvenile’s “Back That Azz Up.” Some look at the song as paying homage to Cash Money history, while other look at it as Drake biting off the success of Juvenile. Now, Juve The Great has decided to discuss the song and he is impressed with it. Drake went to Juve for clearance and he approved after he heard the song. Juvenile admitted he felt “Back That Azz Up” was the last song he thought would be remade and he was impressed when he heard Drake’s remake, he had to approve it.
