Michael Jackson once mistook Cash Money Records producer Mannie Fresh for fellow Novel Orleans artist Master P during a studio session at New York’s The Hit Factory, according to a story shared on the February 18 episode of the “Still 400” podcast.
Mannie Fresh recounted being present for one of Jackson’s recording sessions, facilitated by engineer Fabian Marasciullo. “Fabian was working [with] Michael Jackson,” he said. “He said, ‘You wanna meet Michael Jackson?’ I said, ‘F**kin’ right. Michael Jackson?’ I don’t know whatever they was working on, but Fabian was mixing one of his songs.”
Jackson approached Fresh, expressing his appreciation for his work. “He was like, ‘Hey, hey, man. I love all of your music, man. I really enjoy it,’” Mannie recalled. However, Jackson believed he was speaking with Master P. “I just kind of sat in the corner… and he was like, ‘Hey, you know, whenever you want to stop by… I love everything, Master P. You’re great.’”
Fresh admitted he didn’t correct the King of Pop’s mistaken identity. “I think anybody would’ve done [what I did],” he said, adding with a laugh, “I was like, ‘I’ll be whoever you want me to be, Michael Jackson.’” He joked that if he and Jackson had spent more time together, he would have “[asked] for a car.”
The incident highlights a period when both Mannie Fresh and Master P were prominent figures in the New Orleans hip-hop scene. Getty Images currently hosts over 2,800 photos related to Cash Money Records and over 1,200 images of Lil Wayne, reflecting the enduring legacy of the label and its artists.
Fabian Marasciullo previously shared another anecdote about working with Jackson, recounting the singer’s spontaneous reaction even as listening to a track. “I used to be Rodney Jerkins’ tracking engineer. Michael came in the studio, and Rodney and I are excited to play him [‘Rock My World’]. Michael is standing there, and Rodney has his back to Michael because he’s playing the keyboard,” he shared with REVOLT. “But I’m facing Michael and [see him do] the little MJ kick (laughs). I almost fell out of my chair. It was so wild.”
