Juvenile revealed a surprising tidbit of early-2000s hip-hop history, claiming he played a key role in helping 50 Cent secure his record deal with Eminem and Shady Records.
In a new interview with Nyla Symone, Juve explained how he helped 50 after he was shot nine times and couldn't find his way into a studio in New York, as no one wanted to work with him.
"I got 50 Cent his record deal with Eminem," Juvenile said. "Ask 50, he'll tell you, yeah, Juve was the one. 50 couldn't really go to the studio at the time, and I was one of the first cats with a studio bus, so I let him record on my bus, him, [Tony] Yayo, and [Lloyd] Banks."
According to Juvenile, while Eminem was in the city filming a video for D12, Juvenile says he was invited to the set and brought along Sha Money XL, a key figure in 50's early career.
"When I went over there with Sha Money, my first thing was telling him the type of music Em doing and the type of music 50 doing with the diss thing [...] that's going to work if he go with him. And it worked."
Juvenile also noted that 50 Cent acknowledged his role in his book, saying, "In his book he gives me my credit. I always tell people ask 50."
Juvenile's behind the scenes influence helps explain how Nashville rapper Young Buck ended up on G-Unit. Although Buck was affiliated with Cash Money in the late '90s, he later signed to Juvenile's UTP label in 2000. While he released albums under that label, he was later featured on 50's 2003 album, Get Rich or Die Tryin'. Buck became a full member of G-Unit when Tony Yayo went to jail, leading Buck to be featured heavily on G-Unit's Beg For Mercy album.
Recently, Juvenile took the stage at the Cash Money vs. No Limit Verzuz during ComplexCon, where he told TMZ Hip Hop that performing his timeless hit “Slow Motion” was a standout moment of the night.
Appearing at Mass Appeal’s Legend Has It booth, the New Orleans icon shared that bringing his city’s signature brass-infused energy to the Vegas crowd meant a lot, especially because it allowed him to pay tribute to his late collaborator and close friend, Soulja Slim.