Initially skeptical of its success,
Juvenile stated that he developed the hook for "Back That Azz Up" about half a year before finishing the
400 Degreez album.
Mannie Fresh was impressed upon hearing the lyrics and began producing a beat that he thought would fit the lyrics. Fresh's production featured a distinctive bounce beat, reminiscent of New Orleans' music scene, as noted by Dino Delvaille, then an
A&R executive for Universal Music. During their Nashville recording session, Juvenile recalled the urgency of completing the song.
Lil Wayne, present in the studio, insisted on contributing a New Orleans chant to the end of the song, which they incorporated into the final version. Based on the content of the song, there were three edited versions of the song, which allowed for radio stations to choose between playing "Back That Thang Up" and the edited version of "Back That Azz Up". Johnny Kenaya was in the studio with Juvenile and Mannie Fresh while the record was playing. He gave the green light on the project to go on. The former had redone amended lyrics, while the latter was edited as is (with the word "ass" left intact). Also, the edited album version had "ass" backmasked along with other expletives. "Back That Thang Up" only came out on the single, the compilation Universal Smash Hits in 2000, and Juvenile's Greatest Hits in 2004. ==Reception==