Juvenile is a veteran rapper from New Orleans, who rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s as a member of the Cash Money Records label and the hip-hop group Hot Boys. He is best known for his hit songs “Ha”, “Back That Azz Up”, and “Slow Motion”. But how much is Juvenile worth in 2023, and what are the sources of his income? In this article, we will explore Juvenile’s net worth, career, and personal life.
Juvenile’s Early Career and Breakthrough
Juvenile was born Terius Gray on March 26, 1975, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in the Magnolia Projects, where he developed an interest in music at a young age. He started rapping and recording his own songs when he was 15 years old, and became involved in the local “bounce” music scene, a style of hip-hop that combined gangsta rap and party music.
Juvenile released his debut album, Being Myself, in 1995 under the Warlock Records label. The album did not receive much attention outside of New Orleans, but it helped him land a deal with Cash Money Records, a rising independent label run by brothers Ronald “Suga Slim” Williams and Bryan “Birdman” Williams. Juvenile joined Cash Money in 1997, and released his second album, Solja Rags, which featured the local hit “Solja Rag”. The album was produced by Mannie Fresh, who would become Juvenile’s longtime collaborator and friend.
In 1997, Juvenile also became a member of the Hot Boys, a rap group composed of fellow Cash Money artists Lil Wayne, B.G., and Turk. The group released their debut album, Get It How U Live!, which was well received by critics and fans. The album sold over 400,000 copies independently, and attracted the attention of major labels.
In 1998, Cash Money signed a distribution deal with Universal Records, which gave them more exposure and resources. Juvenile released his third album, 400 Degreez, which became his breakthrough album. The album spawned two nationwide hits: “Ha”, which reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and “Back That Azz Up”, which reached number 19. The album sold over four million copies in the U.S., making it one of the best-selling rap albums of all time. It also earned Juvenile his first platinum certification from the RIAA.
Juvenile’s Success and Controversy
Juvenile continued his success with Cash Money in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He released two more solo albums: Tha G-Code in 1999, which went platinum, and Project English in 2001, which went gold. He also participated in two more Hot Boys albums: Guerrilla Warfare in 1999, which went platinum, and Let ‘Em Burn in 2003, which went gold. He also collaborated with other Cash Money artists such as Birdman, Big Tymers, and Lil Wayne.
However, Juvenile also faced some controversy and legal troubles during this period. He was involved in a dispute with DJ Jubilee, another New Orleans bounce artist who claimed that Juvenile’s song “Back That Azz Up” was a copy of his song “Do the Jubilee All”. The case was eventually dismissed by a federal court in 2005. Juvenile was also arrested several times for various charges such as drug possession, assault, theft, and child support.
Juvenile also had a falling out with Cash Money over financial issues. He claimed that he was not paid properly for his work, and that he was owed millions of dollars in royalties. He left the label in 2002, and formed his own label and management team called UTP (Uptown Projects). He announced that he would release an album titled 600 Degreez under UTP, but it never materialized.
Juvenile’s Comeback and Later Career
Juvenile made a comeback in 2003 with his sixth album, Juve the Great, which was co-released by Cash Money and UTP. The album featured the number-one hit “Slow Motion”, which featured Soulja Slim, a fellow New Orleans rapper who was killed shortly before the song’s release. The album sold over a million copies in the U.S., earning Juvenile his third platinum certification from the RIAA.
Juvenile severed ties with Cash Money for good in 2004, and signed with Rap-A-Lot Records. He released a single called “Nolia Clap” with his new group UTP Playas (which included Wacko and Skip), which became a popular anthem in New Orleans. He also released an album with UTP Playas called The Beginning of the End, which reached number 21 on the Billboard 200 chart.
In 2005, Juvenile signed a solo deal with Asylum Records, a subsidiary of Warner Music Group. He released his seventh album, Reality Check, in 2006, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, making it his first and only number-one album. The album was inspired by Juvenile’s personal experiences during and after Hurricane Katrina, which devastated his hometown in 2005. Juvenile lost his home and most of his possessions in the disaster, and also suffered the loss of his father, who was killed by a gunshot wound.
Juvenile released three more albums with Asylum: Cocky & Confident in 2009, Beast Mode in 2010, and Rejuvenation in 2012. He also reunited with Mannie Fresh and Lil Wayne for a single called “Back That Azz Up Part 2” in 2010. In 2014, Juvenile returned to Cash Money Records for a brief period, and released an EP called The Fundamentals. He also appeared on a remix of Rich Gang’s hit “Lifestyle” along with Birdman and Young Thug.
Juvenile left Cash Money again in 2015, and signed with E1 Music. He released his eleventh album, Mardi Gras II, in 2015, which featured guest appearances from Future, Mannie Fresh, Yo Gotti, and more. He also collaborated with Birdman and Lil Wayne for a mixtape called Rich Gang: Tha Tour Part 2, which was never officially released due to legal issues between Birdman and Lil Wayne.
In 2019, Juvenile teamed up with Birdman for a joint album called Just Another Gangsta, which was released under Cash Money Records. The album received mixed reviews from critics and fans. Juvenile also appeared on the soundtrack of the Netflix film The Irishman with a song called “In My Life”.
In 2021, Juvenile made headlines for releasing a remake of his classic song “Back That Azz Up” along with Mannie Fresh and Mia X, titled “Vax That Thang Up”. The song was part of a campaign by the dating app BLK to encourage young people to get vaccinated against Covid-19. Juvenile said that he wanted to do something positive and fun for his fans.
Juvenile’s Net Worth and Personal Life
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Juvenile’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million as of 2023. His main sources of income are his music sales, streaming royalties, touring revenue, merchandise sales, and endorsement deals. He has also earned money from his acting roles in several films and TV shows such as Baller Blockin’, Hood Angels, New Orleans Exposed, Treme, The Power of Few, and Girls Trip.
Juvenile has been married twice in his life. His first wife was Shadonna Jones, whom he married in 1999. They had a daughter named Jelani together, but they divorced in 2001. His second wife was Dionne Williams, whom he married in 2004. They had two sons together: Anthony Jr. and Abdul. However, they separated in 2012.
Juvenile has faced several tragedies in his personal life. In 2008, his daughter Jelani was killed by her half-brother Anthony Tyrone Terrell Jr., who also killed her mother Shadonna Jones and her half-sister Deleston Jones. Terrell pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. In 2010, Juvenile’s stepfather Leroy Williams was killed by an unknown assailant outside a gas station in New Orleans.
Juvenile has also been involved in several philanthropic activities throughout his career. He has donated money and supplies to various causes such as Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, homeless shelters, schools, and youth programs. He has also participated in charity events such as the VH1 Save the Music Foundation concert and the BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher for Haiti.
Juvenile is widely regarded as one of the most influential rappers from New Orleans and the South. He has been praised for his distinctive flow, catchy hooks, and streetwise lyrics. He has influenced many artists such as Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Young Thug, Future, Kevin Gates, Boosie Badazz, and more. He has also received several awards and nominations for his music such as Grammy Awards (nominated), BET Awards (won), MTV Video Music Awards (nominated), Soul Train Music Awards (won), Billboard Music Awards (won), Source Awards (won), Ozone Awards (won), and more.
Juvenile is still active in the music industry as of 2023. He is working on new projects with Mannie Fresh and other artists. He is also planning to release a memoir about his life and career soon.