Rap star Juvenile is due in Marysville, but will he show?

Published 5:34 pm Thursday, May 14, 2009

Promoters say multiplatinum rapper Juvenile will perform at a Marysville nightclub and steakhouse this Saturday.

Some facts, however, raise questions about the show, which features a big name in an out-of-the-way venue.

Juvenile’s representative at Atlantic Records was unaware of the appearance, the rapper’s publicist did not confirm it and his Web site didn’t list any upcoming dates at all.

That said, promoters can point to a success in April to bolster the idea that Juvenile will perform.

Goldmine Entertainment and Paper Route Records booked the show at J.R. Phinickey’s. In April, the promoters also had booked a show at the club featuring Trina, another hip-hop star who also seems better suited for a Seattle stage.

“We had some questions about whether or not Trina was actually going to make it,” said Chuck Delacerda, owner of J.R. Phinickey’s. “But Trina was here and she put on a show, and it was great. So yeah, as far as we know, Juvenile’s going to be here.”

Trina drew about 375 people to the club, which can hold about 500. Juvenile likely will draw more. Tickets for the event will be $25 at the door.

It is unclear why Juvenile, who has sold nearly 10 million albums according to Nielsen SoundScan, chose to come to Marysville. Attempts to contact the rapper failed. He is not on tour and in the past year has dealt with a death in the family and work on a new album.

Gerald Davis, who heads Goldmine Entertainment, said he wanted to bring in a diverse list of rappers for the Northend All-Star Weekend, a series of shows running at various venues through Sunday. He said acts don’t always promote all their concerts through their Web sites.

“We’re confident that he’s showing,” Davis said of Juvenile. “We’re confident that he’s booked.”

Davis didn’t book Juvenile directly, he said. That task fell to Paper Route Records, the label of Everett rapper Swag, who will appear at the Juvenile show.

Shavonne Reynolds, Swag’s manager, said the show came about thanks to Swag’s relationship with Juvenile. Juvenile agreed to come as a favor and the two may record together during the visit.

“It was pretty much just a matter of saying, ‘Hey, do you want to come out here?’ ” she said.

Whatever the reason, Juvenile’s appearance in Marysville would be unusual. The New Orleans rapper, best known for his 1998 hit “Back That Azz Up,” remains a big name in hip-hop.

In 2006, he released his most recent album, “Reality Check.” It debuted at No. 1, with the New York Times saying it showcased “one of hip-hop’s greatest instruments — Juvenile’s marvelous, gluey growl.”

The rapper, whose real name is Terius Gray, has kept a fairly low profile recently. Two events may explain why.

In February 2008, his 4-year-old daughter, Jelani Deleston, was murdered. Reportedly devastated by the news, Juvenile has played just a few isolated shows since.

He also has been finishing work on his ninth studio album, according to Vibe magazine. In an exclusive interview with Vibe, Juvenile said he will reunite with the Hot Boys, a hip-hop supergroup that includes Lil Wayne.

Granting exclusive interviews, reuniting with Lil Wayne and playing Marysville: One of these things is not like the other.

Delacerda said it was a bit curious that Juvenile would come to his club in Marysville. He said he made a handshake agreement with the promoters who arranged the show. He expects they will deliver Juvenile, just as they did Trina.

Delacerda also offered a bit of advice to fans.

“Your best bet if you’re coming out for something like that is come early,” Delacerda said.

Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com.