Mannie Fresh

Lil Wayne Says The Super Bowl Halftime Show Was ‘Ripped Away’ From Him, Ahead Of The Hot Boys Reunion

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Like many hip-hop heads, Lil Wayne felt confident out his bid for the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime show slot to Kendrick Lamar. However, home field advantage didn’t serve the “Bless” rapper any good in this instance. Yesterday (November 2), when he returned to New Orleans for Lil Weezyana Fest 2024 he was sure to air out his grievances.

In between songs, Lil Wayne addressed the matter with a passionate speech (viewable here). “When the first Super Bowl was here I made sure I bought tickets at the beginning of the season,” he said. “I did the same when I moved to Miami, and I was wishing my team made it again. I was able to give my momma that suite. She was able to bring my family and other people from New Orleans, and they had a f*cking ball.”

He continued: “That moment I said to myself, I wanna be on stage for the Super Bowl in front of my mom and I worked my ass off to get that f*cking position. And it was ripped away from me but this motherf*cking moment right here… they can’t take this from me.”

Although Lil Wayne couldn’t celebrate what he imagined was a sure thing at home, he was part of something else worth celebrating. After a failed attempted during Essence Fest 2024, every member of the Hot Boys (Lil Wayne, Juvenile, Turk, and B.G.) finally reunited onstage for the first time in 15 years. The group delivered a nostalgic set (viewable here) of their Southern classics “Get Your Roll On,” “Still Fly,” and more.

Lil Wayne Is Bringing Back His Lil Weezyana Fest With Rob49 And A Hot Boys Reunion

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Fresh off collaborations with Cordae, DJ Premier, and Jessie Reyez, Lil Wayne has announced the dates and lineup for the return of his music festival, Lil Weezyana Fest, after taking 2023 off.

The Lil Weezyana Festival returns to Smoothie King Center arena on November 2, with performances from Rob49 and Lil Wayne’s former group, Hot Boys. The Hot Boys performance will be the first time the quartet of B.G, Juvenile, Lil Wayne, and Turk have performed as a group since 2003. A reunion of the group was billed for Essence Fest this year, but Wayne ended up performing his own, separate set, to fans’ confusion and chagrin.

The group was disbanded after Juvenile and B.G accused Cash Money Records CEO Birdman of not paying them. Three of the group’s members, B.G, Turk, and Wayne, then spent significant time serving prison sentences for various offenses — mostly surrounding firearms possession charges. Turk was released from prison in October 2012 after serving nine years for being a felon in possession of a firearm and other charges; B.G served 11 years on possession of a firearm and was released last year; Lil Wayne spent the least amount of time in prison for possession and has been the most active member of the group musically since 2011. Juvenile remains the only member who was never incarcerated.

In addition to the Hot Boys reunion, the flyer for Lil Weezyana Fest touts a DJ set from former Cash Money producer Mannie Fresh, as well as “surprise guests,” which have, in the past, included Drake — who could use a strong bounce back after his early 2024 struggles with Kendrick Lamar.

[WATCH] Vevo, Juvenile and Mannie Fresh Release Performance Videos For “Back That Azz Up” And “Party”

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Vevo, the world’s leading music video network, announces Juvenile and Mannie Fresh as the next artists in their Ctrl series with a performance of “Back That Azz Up” and “Party” premiering today.

Vevo’s Ctrl series highlights the work of hard-hitting, cutting-edge musicians making an impact in today’s music scene – both emerging and established. These artists demand attention, and Vevo’s Ctrl shines a deserving spotlight. Juvenile and Mannie Fresh’s performances follow sessions from Rick Ross, Common, Rapsody, Fat Joe, Jeezy, Jadakiss, Fabolous, A$AP Ferg and more.

New Orleans rapper Juvenile is a Southern hip-hop veteran. Born Terius Gray, Juvenile was one of the initial figures involved in New Orleans’ “bounce” craze of the early ’90s, an uptempo style of hip-hop that combined gangster rap and party music. In 1997, Juvenile joined Cash Money, releasing his album Solja Rags that same year, as well as joining fellow Cash Money artists Lil Wayne, B.G., and Turk in the Hot Boys, who also released their debut album, Get It How U Live!. Both debuts were produced in total by Mannie Fresh, who was back for Juvenile’s 1998 solo release 400 Degreez, his platinum-selling, breakthrough effort thanks in part to the successful single “Back That Azz Up”.

In 1998, Mannie Fresh, half of the brains behind the Cash Money label, formed Big Tymers with Birdman, releasing a series of successful singles and albums. In 2004, Mannie busted out on his own with The Mind of Mannie Fresh, before returning to produce several tracks on Juvenile’s album Rejuvenation in 2012.

The two Cash Money heavyweights now reunite to perform their iconic hit, “Back That Azz Up” and “Party” for Vevo’s Original Content series, Ctrl.

The post [WATCH] Vevo, Juvenile and Mannie Fresh Release Performance Videos For “Back That Azz Up” And “Party” first appeared on The Source.

The post [WATCH] Vevo, Juvenile and Mannie Fresh Release Performance Videos For “Back That Azz Up” And “Party” appeared first on The Source.

Lil Wayne Skipped The Cash Money Reunion To Opt For A Solo Set At Essence Festival 2024, Now People Have Questions

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Welp, Birdman’s subtle suggestion that Drake would make a surprise appearance at Essence Festival 2024 didn’t pan out. Still, yesterday (July 5), attendees of the culture’s biggest annual event were treated to a special onstage reunion.

During the “Ms. Gladys” rapper’s performance, he brought out New Orleans’ hometown rap group, Hot Boys. The crowd cheered in excitement seeing B.G., Juvenile, and even Mannie Fresh together, the Cash Money reunion hype did not translate to viewers outside of The Big Easy. Mainly, due to Turk’s absence and Lil Wayne’s notable decision to appear after everyone left the stage. Now, users online have questions.

Lil Wayne and Birdman tension has long since documented in music, online, as well as in the courtroom. However, in recent time, the pair seemed to have squashed their previous issues. Rumors circulating online allege Wayne was present and ready to join the reunion, but not without Turk (whom reportedly isn’t in good standings with Birdman). Sadly, as a result, the Hot Boys reunion feel through.

Supporters are now under the impression that Birdman and Wayne’s former feud could be back on. Those flames were further fanned, when Birdman delivered a verbal jab before leaving the stage just before Wayne performed a medley of his hits. “I would never let my city down and be a p*ssy ass n**** for anybody,” he said.

So, it is too early to ask if Lil Wayne does headline the Superbowl 2025 Halftime show in New Orleans if the collection could put thing to the side?

Today In Hip Hop History: Juvenile’s Classic Hit “Back Dat Azz Up” Turns 25 Years Old!

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On this date in 1989, Juvenile along with his Cash Money brothers Mannie Fresh and a 17-year-old Lil Wayne, dropped the timeless classic “Back Dat Azz Up”(also known as “Back Dat Thang Up” in edited version). It was the second single from Juvenile’s debut LP 400 Degrees, with the premiere single being the electric “Ha”. Produced by Mannied Fresh and released on the Cash Money imprint, Back Dat Azz Up is one of the most recognized smash hits from not only the Cash Money camp, but from Hip Hop’s renowned “Bling Era”.

Commercially the song was a chart topper, peaking at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and in 2021, it was listed at number 478 on Rolling Stone‘s “Top 500 Best Songs of All Time”.

This year, on the the 25th anniversary of the song’s release, the City of New Orleans officially named June 11th “Back Dat Azz Up” Day. Mayor LaToya Cantrell signed a proclamation making “Back Dat Azz Up” Day an official holiday.

Juvenile spoke about the recognition of one of his greatest hits, saying, “I really wasn’t keeping up with the dates until one of my guys educated me. It’s crazy. It’s great to have all of these accolades, but it’s better to enjoy it with your family and the guys who made it hapen. I really wasn’t expecting it.”

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Juvenile’s Classic Hit “Back Dat Azz Up” Turns 25 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Juvenile’s Classic Hit “Back Dat Azz Up” Turns 25 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

Rock The Bells Announces Lineup for First-Ever Timeless Hip Hop Cruise with Rick Ross, Lil Jon, Ghostface, and More For Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary

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Rock The Bells (RTB), the global platform dedicated to elevating Hip-Hop culture from its roots to the modern day, announced the lineup for “Rock The Bells Cruise: A Hip-Hop Experience” in partnership with Sixthman, the industry leader in unforgettable music and lifestyle festivals at sea. 

The lineup features Hip-Hop’s most notable icons, including Rick Ross, Lil Jon, Big Boi, DJ Jazzy Jeff, MC Lyte, Ghostface Killah, Trina & Trick Daddy, Just Blaze, Big Daddy Kane, Too $hort, Slick Rick, DJ Spinderella, Mannie Fresh, Pete Rock, DJ Quik, Rah Digga, EPMD, Bun B, Bahamadia, Grandmaster Caz, DJ Scratch, The Finisher Mister Cee, DJ EPPS, DJ Nina 9, Grandmaster Dee, Technician The DJ, and DJ Critical Hype. Hosted by Roxanne Shanté & Torae, attendees will also experience a pool deck party series presented by world-renowned party rocker Kid Capri. 

Commenting on the cruise, legendary Hip-Hop artist and host Roxanne stated: “How could I not Rock the Boat with the Goat? LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells keep the culture afloat. Please believe it.” Too $hort added, “Rock The Bells is Hip-Hop History, and they’re working to MAKE history!”

While the cruise is “sold out,” fans can still go to the website rockthebellscruise.com to sign up for the waiting list, where rooms are offered as they become available.

The post Rock The Bells Announces Lineup for First-Ever Timeless Hip Hop Cruise with Rick Ross, Lil Jon, Ghostface, and More For Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: The Hot Boys Dropped Their Sophomore Effort ‘Guerrilla Warfare’ 23 Years Ago

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23 years ago today, Turk, Juvenile, BG and Lil Wayne dropped their second collaborative LP together as the Hot Boys entitled Guerrilla Warfare on the Cash Money/ Universal label.

Produced exclusively by Cash Money Records’ production duo “Baby” Williams and Mannie Fresh aka The Big Tymers, this entire album was recorded in Miami, a thousand miles a large contrast from there NOLA roots and recording environment, this LP helped to solidify the term “bling” as a necessity in the culture at the turn of the millennium. The lead singles, “I Need A Hot Girl” and “We On Fire” propelled the album the pole position on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip Hop albums, selling 142,000 in the first week and reaching platinum status before the end of 1999.

Salute to the Hot Boys and Cash Money Records for making this exclusive piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: The Hot Boys Dropped Their Sophomore Effort ‘Guerrilla Warfare’ 23 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

The Cool Kids and Mannie Fresh Are Collaborating for a Joint Album

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One of the fun things about Hip-Hop is the collaborations that can come, and no one expects them. The latest evidence of that is the forthcoming joint album from Mannie Fresh and The Cool Kids.

Andrew Barber, the creator of Fake Shore Drive, revealed the Chicago duo would team with the New Orleans Icon. “Breaking News: Mannie Fresh & The Cool Kids are doing an album together,” Barber wrote.

In 2021, The Cool Kids, composed of Sir Michael Rocks and Chuck Inglish, announced their return, highlighting a run of albums that they created in various areas.

The post The Cool Kids and Mannie Fresh Are Collaborating for a Joint Album appeared first on The Source.

Juvenile’s ‘Vax That Thang Up’ Turns His Biggest Hit Into A Pro-Vaccine PSA

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Who would have thought that 20 years after Cash Money Records took over for the 99 and the 2000, Juvenile’s raunchy introductory hit would form the basis for a wholesome (bit still playfully racy) public health PSA? The New Orleans rapper resurrected his biggest song, “Back That Thang Up,” turning it into “Vax That Thang Up” to encourage horny young singles to get their shots before returning to the dating scene, recruiting longtime collaborators Mannie Fresh and Mia X to reprise and remix the track’s most iconic moments.

“Girl, you look good, why don’t you vax that thang up?” Juvie joshes on the new, cheeky chorus. “You a handsome young brother, why don’t you vax that thang up?” Mannie, meanwhile, cleverly flips his anchor verse: “I know you can’t stand it / No holding hands, chick,” he smirks, turning his opening couplet into something a bit more friendly for radio. And that iconic Lil Wayne bridge? Well, it seemed unlikely they’d be able to hook the original into participating, considering some of his prior reactions to current events, so Mia X graciously steps it up to turn “drop it like it’s hot” into “go get the shot.”

Naturally, fans on Twitter have thoughts, but respect for these legends of the game — who have mostly stayed out of trouble and kept their legacies untarnished — has the jokes trending about as wholesome as the song itself. You love to see it.

Watch the “Vax That Thang Up” video above.

Best Hip-Hop Albums Created by One Producer

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The beats matter just as much as the bars. Continue reading…