Mannie Fresh

Byron Otto Thomas (born March 20, 1969),[1] better known by his stage name Mannie Fresh, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He's best known for his productions on Cash Money Records releases, as well being half of the hip hop duo (alongside label co-founder Birdman) the Big Tymers. He produced all or most of the songs on 17 multi-platinum, platinum or gold albums for Cash Money from 1998 to 2004 before leaving the label. He also was their only in-house producer when the company started in 1991.

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

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.

Discography
Main articles: Mannie Fresh discography and production discography

Studio albums

References
  1. 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.
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