[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 20, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E587-E588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF BYRON OTTO ``MANNIE FRESH'' THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 2023

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a 
Mastermind Record

[[Page E588]]

 Producer, Rapper, and King of DJ'ing, Mr. Byron Otto Thomas, best 
known by his stage name, Mannie Fresh. Thomas is applauded for his work 
with Birdman's Cash Money Records, both solo and as a member of the 
label's then flag-ship group, Hot Boys in the late 1990s and early 
2000s.
  Byron Otto Thomas (born March 20, 1969), better known by his stage 
name Mannie Fresh, is an American record producer and rapper. He's best 
known for his productions on Cash Money Records releases, as well as 
being half of the hip hop duo (alongside label co-founder Baby, later 
known as Birdman) the Big Tymers. He produced most of the songs on the 
17 multi-platinum, platinum, or gold albums for Cash Money from 1998 to 
2004 before leaving the label. He was also their only in-house producer 
when the company started in 1991.
  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. 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 released 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 the group's albums. He also produced all tracks on the members' 
solo works as well.
  Later, Thomas formed the Big Tymers along with Williams, as Mannie 
Fresh and Birdman respectively, bringing him fame, and released five 
albums. 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 No. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2005, 
he split from Cash Money and later joined Def Jam South, to which he is 
currently signed. 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.
  Mannie Fresh is most deserving of the highest recognition for proudly 
representing the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana as a 
globally recognized musical artist. I am proud to acknowledge Byron 
Otto ``Mannie Fresh'' Thomas for his musical and cultural 
contributions, recognizing his pivotal role in popularizing the New 
Orleans Rap and Bounce style of music around the world, extending 
sincerest wishes that he continues to flourish in all his endeavors, 
both in Louisiana and across the country.

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