Juvenile aka “Back That Azz Up” is still putting in work. His latest release, Reality Check, is set to do big things. On this day, Juve sounded off about the business, his music, his motivation, and Katrina. Speaking on his old label, you know who, new beginnings, and reflecting a bit on his career.

Juvenile, far removed from past situations can’t seem to elude the questions of “What’s up with Cash Money.” A professional, he gritted his teeth and answered the all worn out questions. In addition, Juve gives great insight to the people around the world about the politics in New Orleans. Like many artists from the area, he seems exhausted from the process while trying to maintain a positive outlook on the situation. As the name of his CD requests, Juvenile dishes out a reality check.

JayRich: How are things at Atlantic?

Juve: “They been great; I been getting good feedback for all the songs we played for everybody. Having listening parties was a great move. I never really had any before. Its a new experience for me and I’m learning to appreciate it.”

JayRich: You said this album is to you as The Chronic was to Dre, why?

Juve: “The quality of music.The range of the music. I got personal songs, party songs, and I show the women a lot of love. You know I never really try to down them anyway.”

JayRich: What type of sound are you going for on this album: club, street, or something else?

Juve: “I ain’t tryin to get at nobody, this just me. Its not a fanbase I’m going for, feel me?! Guys do that and mess up. You don’t mix songs and make em’ to go after a market. That fuck up careers. I do me. That’s why all my singles sound so different from my last one. I go with what works for me.”

JayRich: What motivates you?

Juve: “Shit, I got bills to pay.(Laughs). I don’t need anybody or anything to make me get out of bed and do what I do. I don’t have a choice but to do this.”

JayRich: Where’s your career direction going as far as style and delivery?

Juve: “I’m go do me. I don’t think about switching it up. I don’t think about styles or anything else. For me and my sounds I’m following the beat and just go from there. I ain’t trying to give you a different flow. I make my material off what the beat gives me.”

JayRich: How did Rodeo come about?

Juve: “I just wanted to tell all the women they’re beautiful. I got two daughters and a mother. And I don’t want no nigga to treat my girls bad, you know. Cuz if they do, I’m deal wit that nigga.”

JayRich: Did you feel guilty to make this song or pressure from your past?

Juve: “I don’t feel guilty; life is life. It was time for it. Nobody makes music to motivate anymore. At that time we got hit with the hurricane and that’s where my mind state was at.”

JayRich: What’s changed since 400 Degreez?

Juve: “You gotta answer that question. I ain’t with Cash Money no more.”

JayRich: Speaking of them, what’s your position on them now?

Juve: “Fuck em homie. I don’t even wanna talk about them now.”

JayRich: What about you and Mannie, ya’ll cool?

Juve: “Yeah, me, Mannie, and B.G. we all cool.”

JayRich: What about Wanye?

Juve: “Fuck Cash Money. If you fuck with Cash Money I don’t fuck with you.”

JayRich: Any advive about the industry?

Juve: “You gotta learn the business. You just can’t come in and get on. Its 10% talent and 90% business. You get that across in yo head you’ll make it.”

JayRich: What type of reactions do feel will come from “Get Yo Hustle ON”?

Juve: “That song personal. I don’t know. I did it for me, not for the streets or anybody else. Its just so happens that everybody like it. I really don’t give a fuck what the politicians think. They ain’t buying my records. I’m not in they world. I don’t do budgets and all that. But I know what they should feel. What they should do. But I ain’t in that world.”

JayRich: Katrina? What should the politicians do?

Juve: “First of all, all the families should get a 100,000 dollars; and people that lost they loved ones should get more. They should a plan for jobs to be given out and a plan for property to be given out.”

JayRich: The highrollers are forseen to be the ones to buy all the property and make New Orleans a commercial city. What should the black people do?

Juve: “When I say my people, I mean people from New Orleans. You just can’t single out people like that. It was already a commercial city to begin with. The people should be paid for the way the hurricane was handled.”

JayRich: What should we know that’s not being shown?

Juve: “When you see the video, Get Yo Hustle On, that’s how it look down there. They ain’t put no lights up. They just want people to pick-up and leave. The war isn’t over for us.”

–By Joseph “JayRich” Robinson

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