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Mannie Fresh

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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 (age 55)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • rapper
  • disc jockey
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 production work for Cash Money Records releases, as well being half of the hip hop duo Big Tymers with the label's co-founder, Birdman.

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

Life and career

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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

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OffBeat's Best of The Beat Awards

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Year Category Result Ref.
2016 Best DJ Won [6]
2023 Best DJ Won [6]

Discography

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Main articles: Mannie Fresh discography and production discography

Studio albums

Collaborative albums

References

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  1. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "Best of the Beat Award Winners: Complete List". OffBeat Magazine. September 8, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
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