Promoted as the album’s first single, “ Ha” is quite possibly the most New Orleans song of all time. It’s a subtle foreshadowing of the sonic journey the listener is about to embark on.Īnd if the Intro served as an appetizer, 400 Degreez’ first full-length song “ Ha” is a four course meal. Although customary for nearly every modern-era Cash Money project, Fresh’s production here just feels cleaner. The album’s “ Intro” continues the tradition of maestro Mannie Fresh providing a teasing groove, formally introducing the project while also making a few nonsensical jokes (‘ if your hair’s short and nappy, put something in it and make it happy, ya dig?’). With ascending in-house producer Mannie Fresh supplying the heat behind the boards and CMR’s teenage group, The Hot Boys, in tow – 400 Degreez ultimately changed hip hop forever.
Sure, artists like Scarface, The Dungeon Family and the surging hot No Limit imprint had sold well but it wasn’t until Juvenile released his 3rd album that the south’s cultural impact was truly felt. To understand its impact, one has to travel back to 1998 when southern rap was just beginning to get the respect it had long deserved. Whatever the reason though, it was clear after one listen that this was a concentrated effort prepared as if the entire CMR brand depended on the success of 400 Degreez. A freshly-inked deal with music powerhouse, Universal, in the spring of 1998, may or may not have (subconsciously) inspired Cash Money to take a slightly more polished approach with Juvenile’s next project. His first release on the then up-and-coming Cash Money Records was 1997’s “ Solja Rags” – an unapologetic, raw endeavor that only sporadically showed glimpses of his massive crossover potential. planted the seeds for a 30 million dollar distribution deal, Juvenile’s CMR sophomore effort “ 400 Degreez” was the tree that bore an abundance of fruit that the label has been enjoying since its initial release on November 3, 1998. Cash Money Records didn’t just take over for the 9-9 and the 2000 they’ve dominated music for the past two decades. Terius “Juvenile” Gray proudly proclaimed on arguably the biggest ass-shaking anthem in the history of music. Cash Money Records taking over for the 9-9 and the 2000…