Juvenile (rapper)

Juvenile (born Terius Gray on March 25, 1975 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA) is an African American gangsta rapper. At the age of 19, he began recording in a distinctive southern style with Being Myself (1995, Warlock Records). The album's hit song "Bounce for the Juvenile" gave name to the southern sing-songy rap style known as "bounce".

In 1997, Solja Rags, Juvenile's debut with Cash Money Records, was an underground hit. In 1999, Solja Rags was re-released nationally to ride the wave of popularity Juvenile was enjoying with the release of 400 Degreez and its smash single, "Back That Azz Up", which eventually became a pop crossover hit in early 2000. Warlock Records released a remixed version of Being Myself at the same time. After the lackluster reception of The G-Code and Project English (2001), which only contained the very minor hit "Mamma Got Ass", Juvenile left Cash Money Records, releasing The Compilation in 2002 with his new crew and label UTP Records (Uptown Project Projects) crew which Young Buck was signed to. Juvenile returned to Cash Money in 2003 to release Juve the Great. His latest album is Reality Check (2006) released by UTP/Atlantic Records. He has released a total of nine albums.

In the summer of 2004, his Juve The Great album spawned a massive hit called "Slow Motion". The song topped Billboard's Hot 100 chart on August 7, 2004 knocking Usher's "Confessions" (Part II) out of number one after only two weeks. It was the first Hot 100 No. 1 for Juvenile and the late Soulja Slim. The song managed to achieve this feat essentially on the strength of urban radio airplay alone as it had not yet had massive pop crossover success.

Following critical and commercial acclaim for "Juve The Great", Juvenile and his UTP crew went on to create the hit song "Nolia Clap" and Juvenile was able to use this as leverage in getting a new deal for himself and UTP at Atlantic Records. Now off of Cash Money and taking on the role of both CEO and artist, Juve has released his much anticipated new album The Reality Check. The album features guest appearances by Fat Joe, Ludacris, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Brian McKnight, Trey Songz, Bun B, 8-Ball, Skip and Wacko with production by Lil' Jon, Scott Storch. Mannie Fresh and Cool & Dre, among others. Juvenile has also done a New York and New Orleans remix to his single "What's Happenin'". The New York remix features N.Y. rappers Papoose and Jae Millz and the New Orleans remix features N.O. rapper B.G. and producer Mannie Fresh.

In 2005, Juvenile's Slidell, Louisiana home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. In the aftermath of the hurricane, he has been working with fellow New Orleans rapper Master P and other hip hop artists to raise funds and supplies for the victims of the hurricane. Juvenile is currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia along with other artists from the UTP record label.

Juvenile's album Reality Check debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 174,000 copies. It yields singles "Rodeo", "Get Ya Hustle On", "What's Happenin'", and "Way I Be Leanin'" featuring Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Skip, & Wacko.

Juvenile has a wife (Sherdonna) and four children.