Juice WRLD was an American rapper, singer, and songwriter whose real name was Jarad Anthony Higgins. He was one of the most popular new rappers to emerge in the late 2010s, known for his emotional, melodic songs and vocals. His stage name, Juice WRLD, actually has an interesting backstory behind it that many fans may not know.
The Meaning Behind Juice WRLD
In multiple interviews, Juice WRLD explained that his stage name was inspired by the 1992 film Juice starring Tupac Shakur. He felt like he identified with the “come up” of the characters in the movie. The “WRLD” part of his name was inspired by his love for vocal melodies and harmonies. He added the extra letters to turn “world” into something unique and catchy.
So Juice WRLD literally means “Juice World”. By calling himself Juice WRLD, he was signaling that his music would take over the world in the same way that the movie Juice made an impact on him. His name signified his ambitions to become hugely successful and influential in music on a global scale.
The Success of Juice WRLD
Juice WRLD did indeed find incredible success at a very young age. He first started releasing music on SoundCloud in 2015 as a high school student in his hometown of Chicago. His breakout hits “All Girls Are the Same” and “Lucid Dreams” went viral on SoundCloud in 2017.
In March 2018, Juice WRLD signed a multi-million dollar contract with Interscope Records. His debut studio album Goodbye & Good Riddance was released in May 2018 and went on to be certified Platinum. The album contained his first massive hit “Lucid Dreams” which peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
| Year | Major Accomplishment |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Signed to Interscope Records |
| 2018 | Goodbye & Good Riddance released, certified Platinum |
| 2019 | “Lucid Dreams” single goes #2 on Hot 100 |
| 2019 | Death Race for Love album released, certified 3x Platinum |
In March 2019, Juice WRLD released his second studio album Death Race for Love which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. The album was certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA based on over 3 million units sold in the US alone.
Juice WRLD achieved all of this success before the age of 21. He had clearly made a massive global impact and become a household name in hip hop at a very young age, just as his stage name Juice WRLD implied he would.
Juice WRLD’s Musical Style & Influences
So how exactly did Juice WRLD explode onto the scene and find such success? His musical style and approach to songs resonated hugely with young listeners.
Juice WRLD’s music fused together elements of hip hop, pop punk, emo rap, and melodic rap. He sang and rapped candidly about heartbreak, mental health struggles, love, and drug use over moody, emotional beats. His vulnerable lyrics and style connected with fans as he openly addressed relatable issues.
Some of Juice WRLD’s biggest influences included rock and rap artists like Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco, Tupac, Kid Cudi, Kanye West and more. The mixture of these genres and sounds is evident in his breakout hits like “Lucid Dreams” which heavily sampled Sting’s “Shape of My Heart”.
Juice WRLD also gained praise for his free-styling abilities, impressive vocal range, and his habit of recording songs spontaneously in single takes. His raw, unpolished approach to songwriting allowed fans to connect with him on a deeper level.
Remembering Juice WRLD’s Legacy
Tragically, Juice WRLD passed away in December 2019 at just 21 years old after suffering a seizure. His meteoric rise to fame and massive impact on hip hop in such a short career has solidified him as a legend in the making.
He left behind an incredible catalog of music including his posthumous albums Legends Never Die (2020) and Fighting Demons (2021). Over 3 years after his passing, Juice WRLD remains one of the most streamed and influential artists of his generation.
All of the success and recognition he quickly achieved points back to the significance of his Juice WRLD name. By calling himself Juice WRLD, he foreshadowed his destiny to become a worldwide superstar at a remarkably young age. Even in his short career, Juice WRLD undoubtedly took over the music world just as he implied with his highly meaningful stage name.
Conclusion
In summary, Juice WRLD’s unique stage name Juice WRLD was inspired by the Tupac movie Juice and his ambition to achieve worldwide fame. The young Chicago rapper lived up to the hype of his name, signing a major label deal and topping the charts multiple times before his untimely death at 21. His emotional, genre-blending music and vulnerable songwriting resonated with millions of fans. Juice WRLD’s legacy lives on as one of the most influential rappers of the late 2010s, demonstrating that he truly did take over the music world just as his name suggested he would.
