BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY Mannie Fresh

Mannie Fresh
Birth name	Byron O. Thomas
Born	March 20, 1969 (age 46)
Origin	New Orleans, Louisiana,United States
Genres	Hip hop, bounce
Occupation(s)	Rapper, record producer, DJ
Instruments	Keyboard, Synthesizer,Roland TR-808, MPC2000, E-mu SP-1200, Bass guitar
Years active	1987–present
Labels	Cash Money, Universal, Def Jam South, Def Jam, Chubby Boy
Associated acts	Cash Money Millionaires,Yasiin Bey, T.I., Rick Ross,Mystikal, KLC, Lil Wayne
Website	www.djmanniefresh.com

Byron O. Thomas,^[1] (born March 20, 1969) professionally known by his stage name Mannie Fresh is a hip hop recording artist, record producer and DJ who is best known for his work with Cash Money Records from 1993 to 2005 and one half of the hip hop duo Big Tymers. Mannie Fresh is currently signed to both Def Jam South and his own division company, Chubby Boy Records.

Biography

Thomas began loving music at the age of nine as a local New Orleans DJ, playing songs at parties and clubs. 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's 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 singles. 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 #72 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 andLil Jon.