Mannie Fresh and Juvenile set out on a mission to be the best and their music has stood the test of time.
The Louisiana-bred producer-artist duo made history with 1998’s “Back That Thang Up,” a single still played in venues and clubs around the world 23 years later and considered by many as the unofficial twerk anthem. The music legends have enjoyed receiving their flowers in 2023 for the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, which included a Tiny Desk performance and a spot at the Essence Festival of Culture’s tribute to the genre, but it didn’t come without aggression. Juvenile called Essence out when the initial hip-hop tribute was announced and his name was omitted, and he asked social media what Tiny Desk was before he ultimately landed a performance on the popular online concert series.
Both legends spoke to rolling out at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards about the legacy and future of music.
What has this year been like for you guys receiving recognition for your contributions to hip-hop?
Juvenile: It’s crazy, man. It’s something we talk about all the time because we want to make sure that people recognize us, especially BET, VH1 or whoever. We want to get our recognition because we feel like we did have a big contribution to hip-hop, especially with this man right here being a maestro behind the beat.
Mannie Fresh: Like he said, I feel like we changed the culture of how it moves. That’s not saying we lied about it, this is facts. It’s still going on. For us to still be here, and the music and the songs to still be relevant, that right there in itself says it all. Ya heard me?
They still play “Back That Thang Up” at every sporting event.
Juvenile: That’s right!
What do you guys want to see from the next 50 years of hip-hop?
Juvenile: Man, just make some good music. Just like my dude said earlier, I want to see these young cats sampling the cat’s “right now” music. Make songs that are going to be good enough to make the next generation want to sample your song and follow in your footsteps.
Mannie Fresh: Yeah, 50 years from now I think it should be some of these songs right here, too, being played, being recognized. Make some songs that they carry out 50 years from now. Do something. I don’t care if it’s a twerk song, make it a relevant twerk song. Make it work.
Juvenile: Make it the best twerk song.
Mannie Fresh: Yeah. Make it the best one, ya heard me?
