How I Wrote That Song 2015: Mannie Fresh – The Early Days of Cash Money

Mannie Fresh

Mannie Fresh is known to fans and throughout the music industry as an amazing producer, artist, and entertainer but he started out as one of the best DJs in New Orleans and he is now returning to his musical roots. The multiplatinum, Grammy nominated producer responsible for creating hits (for UGK, Trina, Gucci Man, The Notorious B.I.G. and of course Cash Money) is now back to spinning full time, moving the crowd and DJing in clubs across the country. In between his DJing duties he is still making it happen in studios with Kanye, Bun B. Drake and the iconic Dr. Dre. Mannie’s first exposure to the entertainment business was over a decade ago in 1984. As a member of New York Incorporated, Mannie and his rap crew were responsible for some of the best parties in the city. As their fame grew Mannie caught the attention of rapper Gregory D and they formed a rap duo. They were quickly signed to RCA and released an album in 1992 entitled The Real Deal. Rap fans in the Big Easy fell in love with the album but it didn’t make much noise on a national level. Even though the group didn’t work out Mannie and Gregory D split but remained friends and soon another opportunity came along. Brian “Baby” Williams offered Mannie a chance to join his fledging crew Cash Money. Working with Baby, and other Cash Money members Lil Wayne, Juvenille and BG they created an impressive discography of hits and rode a wave of success straight to the top of the charts. Fueled by Mannie’s quirky, inspiring production in the late nineties Cash Money became the preeminent, southern, rap label. Mannie Fresh’s beats defined the sound of Cash Money, with Juvenille’s megahits, “Ha,” “Back That Azz Up,” Lil Wayne’s “Go D.J.,” and the crew’s “Cash Money Is An Army,” “Bling Bling,” etc. Mannie has cemented his place in hip hop history as one of the most talented producers ever. Baby and Mannie also formed their own group, Big Tymers and released a slew of great singles and albums, “Still Fly,” “Get Your Roll On,” and “#1 Stunna.” Mannie also released his own solo album, The Mind of Mannie Fresh. Mannie has always pushed the envelope, mixing layers of hip hop, funk and southern bounce with his sense of humor and warm personality proving that he is a force to be reckoned with. Mannie split with Cash Money in 2005 and later signed with Def Jam Records. He continues to work with some of today’s biggest stars producing bangers for T.I., Bun B., Young Jeezy and Rick Ross. He’s now focusing on launching the careers of his own artist with his own imprint, Chubby Boy Productions. As Mannie Fresh pursues his new passions he remains grounded by DJing and interacting on a personal level with all his fans. source:djmanniefresh.com http://www.djmanniefresh.com http://twitter.com/manniefresh https://www.facebook.com/djmanniefresh