Mannie Fresh

Last updated

Mannie Fresh
Mannie Fresh interview on The Come Up Show (34808848805) (cropped).jpg
Mannie Fresh in 2017
Background information
Birth nameByron Otto Thomas
Also known as
  • Manny Fresh
  • Lovely
Born (1969-03-20) March 20, 1969 (age 55)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Record producer
  • rapper
  • DJ
Years active1984–present
Labels
Formerly of

Byron Otto Thomas (born March 20, 1969), [1] better known by his stage name Mannie Fresh, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is best known for his productions on Cash Money Records releases, as well being half of the hip hop duo Big Tymers along with the label's co-founder Birdman.

Contents

Beginning as the label's sole in-house producer in 1991, he has received credits on the near-entirety of the label's output from 1998 to 2004 before his departure. This resulted in 17 songs certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and 19 Billboard Hot 100 entries—of which includes his 2004 debut single as a recording artist, "Real Big".

Life and career

Thomas was born and raised in the 7th Ward of New Orleans. Influenced by his father DJ Sabu, Thomas became a DJ for New Orleans hip hop crew New York Incorporated in 1984 at age 15. [1] In the late 1980s, he began a partnership with New Orleans rapper MC Gregory D. They released their first album together Throwdown in 1987, with Mannie Fresh producing and MC Gregory D rapping. They would release two more records together in the late 1980s and early 1990s. After their last album together, in 1993, Thomas met Bryan "Baby" Williams, who gave him an opportunity to become the in-house producer of his record label Cash Money Records. With Williams' help, Thomas made chart-topping albums for the Hot Boys, which was composed of Lil Wayne, B.G., Juvenile, and Turk, producing all of the group's albums. He also produced all tracks on the members' solo works as well. [2]

Later, Thomas formed the Big Tymers along with Williams, as Mannie Fresh and Birdman respectively, bringing him fame, and released five albums. [3] In 2004, he released his own debut solo album The Mind of Mannie Fresh , which consisted of 30 tracks and featured the single "Real Big", which peaked at #79 on the Billboard Hot 100. [4] In 2005, he split from Cash Money for financial reasons, and later joined Def Jam South, to which he is currently signed. [5] On October 27, 2009, Mannie Fresh released his second solo album, Return of the Ballin' . The album was entirely produced by Fresh himself and featured prominent guests Rick Ross and Lil Jon.

Awards and honors

OffBeat's Best of The Beat Awards

YearCategoryResultRef.
2016Best DJWon [6]
2023Best DJWon [6]

Discography

Studio albums

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<i>Bang or Ball</i> 2001 studio album by Mack 10

Bang or Ball is the fifth solo studio album by American rapper Mack 10. It was released on December 4, 2001, through Cash Money Records with distribution via Universal Records. Production was handled by Mannie Fresh, Dr. Dre, Ron and Quincy Jones III, with Ronald "Slim" Williams and Birdman serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Big Tymers, B.G., Mikkey, Butch Cassidy, E-40, Lac & Stone, Lil Wayne, Scarface, Skoop Delania, Turk, Xzibit, and Westside Connection. The album peaked at number 48 on the Billboard 200 and number 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ha (song)</span> 1998 single by Juvenile

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Go D.J.</span> 2004 single by Lil Wayne

"Go D.J." is the second single from Lil Wayne's fourth studio album, Tha Carter. The song's instrumental was produced by DJ Mannie Fresh, who also provides vocals on the song.

<i>Young & Thuggin</i> 2001 studio album by Turk

Young & Thuggin is the debut album by New Orleans rapper Turk, released on June 5, 2001 through Cash Money Records, and produced entirely by Mannie Fresh. The album was a success on the charts, selling 82,000 copies in its first week, peaking at #9 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Among the guests featured on the album were his fellow Hot Boys, the Big Tymers and Mack 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mannie Fresh discography</span>

This is the discography of American rapper and record producer Mannie Fresh.

The following list is a discography of production by American hip hop record producer and recording artist Mannie Fresh. It includes a list of songs produced, co-produced and remixed by year, album, artist and title.

List of albums released or distributed by Cash Money Records.

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References

  1. 1 2 Jeffries, David. "Mannie Fresh biography". allmusic. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  2. ↑ Sanneh, Kelefa (December 6, 2005). "Set to Put New Orleans Rap Back on Top". The New York Times. Retrieved June 26, 2009.
  3. ↑ Sanneh, Kelefa (January 3, 2005). "Loving, Rapping, Snuggling and..." The New York Times. Retrieved June 26, 2009.
  4. ↑ Capobianco, Ken (December 31, 2004). "CD report – The Mind of Mannie Fresh". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 26, 2009.
  5. ↑ Sanneh, Kelefa (April 23, 2006). "New Orleans Hip-Hop Is the Home of Gangsta Gumbo". The New York Times. Retrieved June 26, 2009.
  6. 1 2 "Best of the Beat Award Winners: Complete List". OffBeat Magazine . September 8, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
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