In a recent sit-down with Drink Champs, Mannie Fresh reacted to people comparing him to the legendary Dr. Dre, which ignited a discussion about the influence and impact of these artists on the New Orleans rap scene.
For Mannie, being compared to Dr. Dre was an honor, as he grew up idolizing the musical icon. He revealed that during the early days, he even wanted to emulate Dr. Dre and become just like him. This sentiment echoes the admiration and respect that many aspiring artists feel towards their idols.
Interestingly, Juvenile shared a story about how their hit records began as jokes and pranks in the studio. However, these playful beginnings ended up producing some of the greatest tracks in the history of New Orleans rap. The competitive spirit among artists was the driving force behind this success.
In the studio, Juvenile and Mannie Fresh were constantly trying to outdo each other, pushing each other to create better and more impactful music. If one felt that the other had produced a better beat or verse, they would go back to the drawing board and refine their work. This dynamic of healthy competition is what made their albums stand out.
One notable example was the recording process for the album "400 Degree." Just days before its deadline, Mannie Fresh changed the beat of a song that Juvenile had already recorded. This unexpected move led Juvenile to reply in kind, changing his verse to match the new beat. Ultimately, this collaboration resulted in a unique and game-changing album. Juvenile wittily described the transformation that occurred when their music went from being regular songs to hitting the charts.
Source: Youtube
