Acclaimed producer Mannie Fresh will seek to take his label Chubby Boy Records to greater heights via a newly-inked distribution deal with Deep Entertainment. The deal represents Fresh’s plan to solidify his talents as a Hip-Hop producer while showcasing his diversity in other genres of music. As a label, Deep Entertainment has slowly been making a name for itself in Hip-Hop culture due to its successful distribution of various mixtapes.
Mannie Fresh’s first rumored project will be Return of the Ballin’, which will serve as a follow-up to his 2004 debut The Mind of Mannie Fresh. Fresh was instrumental in the explosion of Southern Hip-Hop through his tenure as Cash Money Record’s in-house producer from 1993-2005. In that span, the New Orleans native’s beats were a staple of hit albums from Juvenile (400 Degreez ), Lil Wayne (Tha Block It Hot, Tha Carter ), B.G. (Chopper City in the Ghetto ), The Hot Boys (Guerrilla Warfare ), and the Big Tymers (Hood Rich ). Realizing that labels have to be forward-thinking and daring in their marketing due to the ever-evolving music climate, Deep Entertainment Public Relations Director Nicole Murray plans to make Fresh a part of their proposed “independent music revolution.” Deep Entertainment is a rising star among independent labels,” explained Murray to AllHipHop.com in a statement. “Boasting the ability to pair creative, outside-the-box distribution channels as well as the traditional methods of retail and digital release with a full set of in house services including marketing, radio promotions and publicity, Deep Entertainment is revolutionizing the way independent music is released and received by the market place.” Fresh’s Return of the Ballin’ is currently set for an October release. Afterward, the label expects to debut new acts from Fresh’s Chubby Boy label. At press time, it is unknown if Fresh has retained his previous label deal with Def Jam South.
