Exclusive: Mannie Fresh Breaks Down Career, Talks Lil’ Wayne, Cash Money & OVO

On a recent stop in Toronto, we had a chance to sit down with Hip-Hop legend Mannie Fresh. The Cash Money architect was in a relaxed mood, talking candidly about the things that matter to him. His vision for music and his vision for New Orleans was illuminating. His mannerism was effortless as he spoke about his goals, what he thinks of modern producers and what he sees happening in 2017. Despite having a thoroughly southern charm, he was direct with his responses. One thing is for sure though: the gems came embedded in his answers.
How’s Tour Life treating you so far? how do you like Toronto?
I’m good. I mean this is what I’ve always been doing so I’m kind of used to it. You know what I mean? it’s kinda good to see cool faces sometimes.
You’re a producer and a rapper. Talk about how you balance this.
I don’t think I got a balance it. It’s just how I feel some days. Some days I like doing beats, sometimes I feel like DJing sometimes I feel like rapping. Whatever mood I wake up in that’s where I go at.
Where are you living right now and how does it affect you creatively?
New Orleans, that’s where I’m born and bread you know what I’m saying? That’s where the creativity comes from. It’s still working for me I’m still here.
Kinda random but I gotta ask. What’s your favorite Jordan shoe of all time?
My favorite Jordan? I mean I am a sneaker head but I couldn’t tell you what number none of them are. You know what I’m saying I was never big on Jordans. But if I really had to name a favorite shoe…
But you still gotta name your favorite shoe.
I kinda like the dunk one. The one that looks like a dunk the red white and black one. What’s that called?
Jordan 1.
That’s the one? alright, that.
What’s your take on current Hip-Hop? Who do you like and what do you not like?
Damn, I like everybody and I not like anybody. I mean it’s still a new generation of hip-hop. You can pretty much find anything you want. I guess you just gotta be brave enough and cool enough to go dig for it. I don’t really think it changed, it’s just a different generation of hip-hop. In my younger days, there was some people that hated on what I was doing or whatever and it feels like that now. Feel like some of these younger dudes are not getting their fair shake. You know, it just evolved to something else. But you still got the battle MCs and you know you still got the political dudes. You just gotta go dig for it.
What’s in-store from you in 2017?
Wow, that’s a deep question. What is in store for me in 2017? 50 million dollars. Something like that. Me doing some big things, making major moves and keeping it positive and keep it moving. You know, creating family and that kinda stuff.
Any secret projects?
It’s no secret, you just take it one day at a time. I don’t know what a hit record is I just give what I can give you. I do music. You know, I haven’t dropped music in a long time and now I feel like dropping music. I feel like doing it. I kinda glad it happened that way because that way you kinda missed and people are like “ah! I’m glad to see you!” so I’m kinda glad I didn’t force it. It feels good to be in your space and say like “I’ma do when I’m ready to do.”

POSTED BY:OPUOMONI PRIYE
DATE:04/25/2017