Vax That Thang Up: The Pro-Vaccine Version of ‘Back That Thang Up’

While COVID-19 vaccines are poking, bars are open, and the clubs are poppin’ once again. After a long year of staying in, everyone is ready to “Back That Thang Up” this summer – or more like, “Vax That Thang Up.” Rapper Juvenile reworked his legendary 1999 club anthem “Back That Thang Up” into a pro-vaccination hit to keep up with the current pandemic period. The song and music video were dropped Wednesday, July 7, 2021, just in time for the summer festivities and as part of a collaboration with the BLK dating app.

The remake features Mannie Fresh, just as in the original version, but replaces Lil Wayne’s part with rapper Mia X. The song encourages people to get vaccinated before resuming dating activities with lyrics such as “Girl, you look good once you vax that thang up” and “Feeling freaky all night you need to vax that thang up.” But the music video takes it the extra mile, with Juvenile gesturing to his arm as if he has a vaccine in his hand, pretending to inject himself and even making it rain vaccine cards. If that sounds extremely cringey, it’s because it absolutely is.

Juvenile told Rolling Stone that he wanted “to do something positive for my people,” coming through as a vaccination advocate that we did not know we needed.

Although the remake is a funny and catchy dating app ad, “Black adults under age 40 are the most likely group to avoid the Covid-19 vaccination, according to the U.S. Census Bureau,” said BLK’s statement on vaxthatthangup.com. “Distrust of doctors and government, less access to vaccination centers, and online misinformation each play a role. We hope this video is both entertaining and actionable.”

Juvenile ended his statement on a serious note, “We don’t know what we’re facing right now, but we really do all need to be vaccinated so we can continue to do our thing and survive.” The rapper’s statement also shines a light on vaccine hesitancy among minorities and the reports of people of color being affected disproportionately by the coronavirus. 

So, before you “Back That Azz Up” in the club this summer, maybe you should consider “Vaxing That Azz Up.”