1998 Rewind: Remembering Juvenile’s 400 Degreez

I’ve been very vocal about my love for the year 1998 – I believe it’s one of the last great years in R&B and hip-hop history. Since 2023 marks 25 years since those magical 12 months, 1998 Rewind will look back at some of the best (and most underrated) albums of that time.

25 years ago today, Southern hip-hop got a major shot in the arm. Juvenile’s debut album dropped, fueling the juggernaut known as Cash Money Records. Their dominance would kick open the door for the South’s dominance over mainstream rap, a stranglehold that remains today. My boy Troy Smith stops by to talk about Juve’s incredible impact on both the dance floor and the careers of his fellow Hot Boys.

Share your first memories of hearing 400 Degreez.

Troy: It was a game-changer. I was never into the No Limit craze, but Cash Money hooked me. 400 Degreez felt like the gateway into a whole new world. It started with seeing the “Ha” video, which led me to discover an aesthetic that was more forward-thinking than anything going on in New York at the time. Mannie Fresh’s production was simple but sounded like it was from the future. You could sense a cultural shift.

Edd: I have a lot of issues with hip-hop today, but here’s one thing that I appreciate: The Internet has essentially eliminated borders, and with that, erased a lot of the regional biases that plagued 90s hip-hop. My hometown homie Pusha T once called my state of Virginia “The Middle East”– close enough to be exposed to the East Coast sounds of northern rappers, but still grimy enough to embrace the Dirty South. That gave us more appreciation for both sounds.

Admittedly, I wasn’t a fan of Cash Money’s early records – the bars were too simplistic and all over the place, getting lost in the chaotic production. But when Juvenile dropped “Ha,” it felt different. His flow was unconventional, but structured. Like a New Orleans version of ODB, there was a method to his madness – an elite storyteller and MC who was true to his region but captivating with his creativity.

Of course my NY friends on campus turned their noses up at Juve (like they did nearly all Southern rappers) because he didn’t fit their boom bap mold. But that’s exactly why I DID like him. He was telling his story on his own terms. Though I was a fan of the singles, I didn’t hear 400 Degreez until long after he became CMB’s flagship artist, and I always regretted copping it in real time. It was a turning point for Southern hip-hop.

Talk about your pick for best song.

Troy: “Ha”

One of the best hip-hop records of all time. It doesn’t even sound from this world. It’s so bonkers that Jay-Z — at his commercial peak — couldn’t even figure it out how to properly rap over it on the remix.

Edd: “Back That Azz Up”

LOL, I feel you Troy. I wouldn’t say Jay was unable to rap on the beat – I thought he did OK – but you could definitely tell he was WAY outta his element. But as great as “Ha” is, there’s only one answer here – the track that has become as legendary at Black functions as the Electric Slide. I know many of y’all reading this might be sick n’ tired of Backin’ that Thang Up for 25 years, but there’s a reason why it’s endured. Mannie Fresh’s iconic production, Juve’s endless quotables (“youse a big, fine woman!”) and even Lil Wayne’s court-jester like outro have all become stables in Black culture. That’s just not hindsight talking – even in 1998, I thought this song was on another level.

What’s your pick for best video?

Troy: “Back That Azz Up”

What else needs to be said? It was a phenomenon that cemented Cash Money as a cultural force. There’s not much to it from a technical standpoint but there didn’t need to be. It established a vibe and a culture that changed hip-hop. People couldn’t get enough of it.

Edd: “Ha”

And now, we flip-flop. I gotta go with “Ha.” Juve essentially takes us on a tour of New Orleans’ Magnolia Projects, putting his home, his environment, his story, into our living rooms. It’s brilliant in its simplicity. Rapid-fire shots of families on the stoop, cops shaking down young men, dogs sitting on the roofs of cars (for some reason…) – this isn’t the ridiculous excess that was the Cash Money hallmark. This was Juve’s roots – a video as authentic and confrontational as the song it represents. I’d put it among one of the best videos of the 90s.

What’s the most underrated track?

Troy: “Rich N****z”

The energy is magnetic. It seemed like Mannie Fresh was trying to cram as many frenetic drums into the beat as possible. Turk and Lil Wayne threatening to steal the show. Wayne’s verse is really the first sign that he might be something special.

Edd: “Ghetto Children”

There are several underrated gems but “Ghetto Children” keeps me running back because Juve’s flow is CRAZY. Especially here:

Snitches I can’t have that
B****es I can’t have that
Riches you can have that
Just bring me my cash back
Look its all gravy with me go head and shine
That’s how you play it with me ya big tyme
All I want is the Gs
With a trunk full of keys
A Benz on twenties
You got something you can lend me?

Now if you haven’t heard the song and you’re reading that for the first time, you’re probably not moved. If you just recite those lines verbatim, they’re nothing special. But the way Juve flips his cadence every few lines makes even the most straightforward bars insanely catchy. Hear it for yourself – it’s an artist at work.

Producer Mannie Fresh was a MONSTER in this era. What’s the best beat on the project?

Troy: “Ha”

“Ha” was one of those beats everyone wanted to freestyle over. It’s jaw-dropping right from the start and gets better as the song goes on with the final seconds leaving you wanting more. Had Mannie Fresh never produced anything else, he’d be legendary for this alone.

Edd: “Ha”

Mannie was, no pun intended, on fire in this era, and 400 Degreez boasts a plethora of top-shelf production. But nothing beats “Ha” because, well, NOTHING sounds like it before or since. We talked earlier about how hard it was for Jay Z to rap over this beat – yes, Jay Z, one of the greatest of ALL TIME could barely keep up. Fresh outdid himself and props for Juve for making it a classic.

The Hot Boys were all over this album. Who delivered the best feature?

Troy: Lil Wayne on “Back That Azz Up”

Lil Wayne doesn’t say much on the outro to “Back That Azz Up.” Yet, by the time he’s done, a star is born. There are better guest verses on 400 Degreez (See: B.G. on “Flossin’ Season”) but Wayne’s “Drop-drop it like it’s hot” moment” is the one you can’t get out of your head.

Edd: B.G. on “Flossin Season”

Troy, you almost got it right! Yeah, Wayne’s “wobbledy” moment lives in infamy today because it was the world’s introduction to the man who eventually would reshape hip-hop in his image. But besides that bit of trivia, the actual contribution is pretty dumb. “A Milli” it ain’t. Instead, I’ll show B.G. love for “Flossin Season.” You won’t find many B.G. songs on my playlist (well, other than “Bling Bling”) but he did a solid job here.

Talk about 400 Degreez’s meteoric role in the rise of Cash Money.

Troy: It was everything. It’s as important as any album is to the launch of a major record label in hip-hop history. 400 Degreez kicked off Cash Money’s deal with Universal in a stunning way both commercially and creatively. When Juvenile says, “Cash Money Records taking over for the ’99 & the 2000,” he was prophetic.

Edd: Can’t add much more than that. Cash Money went from regional heroes to national heavyweights off the strength of this album. B.G., the Big Tymers and of course Lil Wayne would all be thrust into the spotlight thanks to the path 400 Degreez blazed.

Would Cash Money have reached the same heights without 400 Degreez?

Troy: No, I don’t think so. While Lil Wayne would go on to be a bigger star than Juvenile, you could argue he maybe doesn’t have the opportunity to get to that point without his guest appearances on 400 Degreez. The album’s commercial success established Cash Money as a trendsetter and tastemaker. Mannie Fresh was in demand, Baby was a star and the Hot Boys were now a recognizable crew. Was B.G.’s next album going to do that? Was Lil Wayne’s The Block Is Hot? Both were good albums but not nearly on the same level.  

Edd: This is an interesting question. My first instinct is to say “playa please, they’d all be back on the block if not for Juve” but the more I think about it, I’m not so sure. Mannie’s production prowess was just TOO good to remain a secret for long. And though it took a LONG time before Wayne would wind up in those Best Rapper Alive convos, his hunger was undeniable. Plus, never underestimate Baby’s ability to plot and scheme for that next big business deal. 400 Degreez was absolutely the catalyst for the rise of Cash Money Records – Juve was their best shot at mainstream appeal. But with both Mannie and Wayne developing as players in the coming years, maybe success was guaranteed after all. It would have taken much longer to get there, but CMB’s dominance could have been inevitable.

Is 400 Degreez a hip-hop classic?

Troy: Yes. From a quality standpoint, none of the tracks — save for the cringeworthy “Cash Money Concert” skits — are skippable. Even the few tracks you might argue are filler sound refreshing upon a relisten. From an impact standpoint, this is one of the essential hip-hop albums of the last 30 years and a landmark achievement for Southern rap. 400 Degreez holds its own in a year that also delivered Capital Punishment, Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life, Aquemini, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, Moment of Truth and several other great albums.

Edd: Y’all know how stingy I am with the “classic” label, and I’ve gotten in MANY arguments with Cash Money stans for denying this album the ultimate praise. But let’s break down what this album means for both Juvenile and hip-hop:

– Sold 6 million copies worldwide

– Is an incredible album, easily the best of this era of Cash Money releases

– Birthed two undeniably classic songs, including one song that become an indelible part of Black culture itself

– Made Juvenile a star, made Mannie Fresh one of the most in-demand producers in the game for the next decade and made Cash Money Records a major player

– Was an important cog in Southern rap’s takeover of hip-hop

– And arguably most importantly – was the launching pad for Lil Wayne, who in a decade would become the blueprint for rap artists AND hip-hop culture for the majority of the 2010s, and even today.

So let me formally apologize to all those playas I yelled at. From its quality to it legacy, 400 Degreez is an unquestionable classic.

When you think about it, Juvenile sold himself short – Cash Money didn’t just take over for the 9-9 and the 2000, 400 Degreez has been burning hot for 25 years and counting.

Who do you agree with Troy or Edd? Wobbledy wobble down to the comments and share your thoughts on the Hot Boys.