"When I got the call, I was thrilled,” Melissa Weber—DJ Soul Sister—says of a recent chat she had with Mannie Fresh.

For many across the globe, Mannie Fresh (born Byron Otto Thomas) is the face of New Orleans hip-hop, due to his early success as part of the Big Tymers duo (with Birdman) before laying down the sound of countless Cash Money hits and his role today as acclaimed producer. But first, Mannie Fresh was a DJ rocking house parties and clubs, and it’s in that mold that he twice shar...