Boosie BadAzz Celebrates 42nd Birthday: A Look at His Enduring Impact on Southern Rap

Today, November 14th, marks the 42nd birthday of the renowned rapper Boosie BadAzz, born Torrence Hatch Jr. in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Boosie has been a staple in the Southern rap scene since his rise to fame in the late 1990s as a member of the group Concentration Camp.

His solo career took off in the early 2000s, with early mixtapes such as “Youngest of da Camp,” “For My Thugz,” and “Bad Azz” laying the groundwork for his reputation as an anthem creator. Tracks like “Set It Off,” “Zoom,” “My Struggle,” and “That’s What They Like” from these mixtapes have become street classics and continue to dominate homecoming celebrations across the country.

Boosie’s breakthrough came in 2007 with his feature on the remix of “Wipe Me Down” by Foxx, also featuring Webbie. This track became a cultural phenomenon, peaking at number four on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart and earning nationwide recognition, particularly among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

As Boosie celebrates another year of life, he is also commemorating his enduring impact on the rap game. His music remains a favorite at yearly homecomings, with his verse from “Wipe Me Down” being a particular staple at these events.

In addition to his music, Boosie has been in the news recently for various other reasons, including his thoughts on DaBaby being blackballed and his personal struggles, such as a recent high gas bill that sparked a heated reaction from the rapper.