[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF TERIUS ``JUVENILE'' GRAY, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 2023

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a 
mastermind American King of Bounce, Mr. Terius Gray, Sr. Gray was best 
known by his stage name Juvenile, and applauded for his work with 
Birdman's Cash Money Records, both solo and as a member of the label's 
then flag-ship group, Hot Boys in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Born 
March 26, 1975, to Ms. Gloaine Gray, Juvenile lived in the 10th Ward 
and was raised in the Magnolia Projects of Uptown New Orleans, 
Louisiana's 3rd Ward, attending Our Lady of Grace Catholic School.
  Juvenile began his career as a teenager with bounce music that made 
him a huge local star. He released his debut album Being Myself in 
1995. After signing to Cash Money, Juvenile released Solja Rags in 
1997, which included the major local hit ``Solja Rag''. A year later, 
he released the multi-platinum 400 Degreez, which included his first 
nationwide hits ``Ha'' and ``Back That Azz Up'' (featuring Mannie Fresh 
and Lil Wayne). Both became very successful songs charting on the 
Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Powered by these 
two singles, 400 Degreez was eventually certified 4x platinum by the 
Recording Industry Association of America. He released other successful 
solo albums for Cash Money: Tha G-Code (1999)--certified Double 
Platinum, Project English (2001)--certified Platinum and Juve the Great 
(2003), which included the number-one hit ``Slow Motion'' (featuring 
Soulja Slim). It was his breakout on the national rap scene. These 
albums each were very successful as they both reached the top 10 of the 
Billboard Hot 200.
  After leaving Cash Money, Juvenile released several other albums, 
including The Beginning of the End (2004) with group UTP, which 
included the anthem ``Nolia Clap'' and the solo number-one album 
Reality Check (2006). Juvenile's manager Aubrey Francis and Cash 
Money's Baby met and worked out a deal for Juve and CMR to partner for 
another album. Juvenile returned to Cash Money Records in 2003, 
releasing Juve the Great. Juve The Great was certified Platinum; it 
featured the number-one hit ``Slow Motion'' featuring Soulja Slim. It 
was the only number-one hit for Juvenile and Slim before Slim died in 
November 2003. The last Hot Boys album Let 'Em Burn came out in 2003.
  In 2005 Juvenile signed a new deal with Atlantic Records for himself, 
and a separate label deal for his UTP Records imprint. UTP Records is 
the label that was started by Juve along with his longtime manager 
Aubrey ``Pied Piper'' Francis, and older brother Corey. The group 
called ``UTP'' (Juve, Skip, and Wacko) released the hit song ``Nolia 
Clap'' as part of UTP Records first album release. It was produced by 
Juve along with producer XL Robertson for Atlantic Records. Juvenile 
also performed the song ``Booty Language''. It was part of the 
soundtrack for the movie Hustle and Flow. Juve performed with fellow 
New Orleans rapper Master P and other hip hop artists raised funds and 
supplies for some hurricane victims and in 2006 he returned home to New 
Orleans.
  In a 2009 interview with Allhiphop.com, Juvenile stated that his 
album Cocky & Confident would take a totally different direction from 
his last project, which was made when he was still ``mourning 
Katrina.'' He also revealed that he decided to work only with fresh, 
young producers on the album and discussed his respect for younger 
artists like Soulja Boy. Cocky & Confident was released in December 
2009.
  Juvenile released his tenth studio album Rejuvenation on June 19, 
2012, the first single from the album is ``Power'' featuring Rick Ross. 
Juvenile collaborated with Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled, and Drake for the 
album.
  In April 2021, Juvenile was awarded a key to the city of New Orleans 
by Mayor LaToya Cantrell. Juvenile is recognized as a trailblazer of 
the Southern style of hip hop, bringing the now-dominant rap style to 
national airwaves with multiple hits; he has transcended cultural 
borders by spreading the vibrant musical style and culture of New 
Orleans with his timeless hit, ``Back That Thang Up''.
  Beyond the music industry, Mr. Gray has undertaken several successful 
business ventures, including his own hit beverage, which is brewed in 
Louisiana's 91st District on the street that his great-grandmother and 
grandfather once lived; and shares his incredible success with his 
close-knit family that includes his wife, Sherdonna Gray; daughters, 
Shermetrius Gray and Kayliyah Williams; and sons, Demetrius Gray and 
Terius Gray, Jr.
  Juvenile is most deserving of the highest recognition for proudly 
representing the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana as a 
globally recognized musical artist. I am proud to acknowledge Terius 
``Juvenile'' Gray for his musical and cultural contributions, 
recognizing his pivotal role in popularizing the New Orleans Bounce 
style of music around the world, extending sincerest wishes that he 
continues to flourish in all of his endeavors, both in Louisiana and 
across the Country.

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