On April 11, a fan tweeted that we needed Juvenile on NPR’s Tiny Desk series. This series was unheard of to the New Orleans veteran and he ultimately said no. After reconsideration, he agreed that he’d do it if the tweet received 10k retweets. The fans did what needed to be done and we got Juvenile on Tiny Desk.
The segment opened up with a proper and familiar introduction from Mannie Fresh as “Intro” from 400 Degreez was played. By the way, 400 Degreez was the highest selling album from Cash Money Records until Drake dropped Views in 2016.
Juvenile appeared wearing one of his signature camouflage bandanas and drinking on one of his Juvie Juice beers. After the intro, Juvenile got right into the title track from his sophomore album, 400 Degreez while NPR’s house band wore Dickie suits in true Nola fashion and supported with live instruments. Juvenile, born Terius Gray, was in his zone and the stage presence was definitely there. Wasn’t really a stage, but you get it.
He kept the show going and performed verses from “Bling Bling,” “Ha,” “Set It Off,” and “Slow Motion.” He then brought out vocal duo, The Amours to assist with the performance of “Rodeo”. Right after, he teased the song “Nolia Clap”, but didn’t perform it. Then we received what you may can consider an interlude from Mannie Fresh as he rapped his verse from Hot Boys’ “I Need A Hot Girl.”
“I ain’t even on the song, but I’m in the video,” the 48-year-old stated. “I love that part of the song so much, but I like the part where Turk comes on. And I know Turk don’t like me right now, he really wanna punch me in the face — that’s still my lil bro. But listen, that part of the song had to be the best part of the song, when he come in.”
After the performance for “I Need A Hot Girl”, Juvenile brought out New Orleans natives and Grammy winners Trombone Shorty and Jon Batiste to assist with the performance of “Project B*tch.”
Then it was time for the finale of the mini concert. It was time for strings. A cellist and violinist from the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra appeared. Juvenile insisted that the ladies in the audience get a stretch in real quick before the next song. He didn’t want anyone to hurt themselves as he stated it was about to get “real athletic in this mother******.” Then boom, a performance of “Back That Azz Up” to end the show. But not just one performance of it. An audience member was heard loud and clear saying “one more time.” Juvie asked the audience if they wanted an encore and agreed to give them what they wanted. Jokingly asking “y’all don’t know who y’all f*cking with huh?”
If you’re ever in a good mood and want to amplify it, watch Juvenile’s Tiny Desk concert. If you’re ever in a bad mood and want to turn it around, watch Juvenile’s Tiny Desk concert.
The Hip-Hop Foodie 