In a bold assertion of his place in Hip Hop history, Juvenile has declared his 1998 album *400 Degreez* as comparable to any of JAY-Z and Nas' most celebrated works. Speaking with HoodClips, the Cash Money Records veteran argued that commercial success, not just lyrical prowess, is key to defining greatness in Hip Hop.
Juvenile criticized what he sees as a narrow perception of Hip Hop, suggesting that Southern artists often face an unfair evaluation. "Some of those cats [up north], they got their own definition of what they call Hip Hop, and Southern Hip Hop just don’t fit the bill at certain points," he said. He contended that having hit records is essential for being recognized as one of the greatest, emphasizing that "being the best rapper in the world don’t mean nothing if you ain’t got no fucking hits!"
He challenged fans to compare the sales figures of *400 Degreez* with those of any album by JAY-Z or Nas. “Go check the numbers. N-ggas always talk about, ‘Nas da-da-da. JAY-Z da-da-da.’ Okay, who sold the most records? I think that’s what counts, right?” Juvenile argued, encouraging listeners to look up Billboard sales charts for verification.
To date, *400 Degreez* has been certified four-times platinum by the RIAA, a testament to its massive commercial success. In contrast, JAY-Z's *Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life* and *The Black Album* are both certified quadruple platinum, with *Watch the Throne* (a 2011 collaboration with Kanye West) surpassing five million units sold. Nas’ highest-certified solo album, *It Was Written*, has reached triple platinum status.
Juvenile’s comments reflect his longstanding perspective on Hip Hop's hierarchy. He has previously expressed doubts about JAY-Z's claim to the greatest rapper title, instead championing his former Hot Boys groupmate, Lil Wayne. When discussing Weezy's view that JAY-Z is the greatest of all time, Juvenile remarked, “My lil’ bro [Lil Wayne] the greatest rapper of all time. He know how I feel about that.”
Juvenile’s statements come amid ongoing discussions about Hip Hop’s evolution and the criteria for greatness within the genre.
