Mannie Fresh

Thomas was born in New Orleans. In 1974, he joined New York Incorporated, which David Jeffries of allmusic asserted was the first hip hop crew of New Orleans. A DJ at parties, he got the attention of emcee Gregory D. The duo started a group and debuted with a Miami Bass album titled Throw Down in 1987 on D&D Records. By 1992, the group signed with a major label and released the album The Real Deal or No Deal on RCA/BMG Records. It was very successful in New Orleans, but it didn’t gain very much attention outside of the south. The group split up afterward because of the way RCA handled the album.[2]

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 comprised 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.[3] Later, Thomas formed the Big Tymers along with Williams, as Mannie Fresh and Birdman respectively, and released five albums.[4] In 2004, he released his own debut album The Mind of Mannie Fresh, which consisted of 30 tracks and featured the single “Real Big,” which failed to top the charts.[5] In 2005, he split from Cash Money for financial reasons, and later joined Def Jam South, to which he is currently signed.[6]

On November 28, 2007, Mannie Fresh’s sister Angela Bryant was found dead in her Algiers, New Orleans, home. Thomas’ two children, ages 2 and 7, were found tied up inside the home but neither where injured.