Manny Halley
Imani "Manny" Halley (born 2 May 1977) is an American film and television producer, talent manager, and entertainment executive. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Halley began his career in music management, working with artists such as Shyne, Keyshia Cole, Nicki Minaj, and Young Thug. He later transitioned into the film and television space, founding Imani Media Group, a company specializing in urban cinema, and Faith Media Distribution, which handles film and television distribution. Based in Los Angeles and Atlanta, Halley has produced and distributed multiple films and television projects, collaborating with platforms such as Netflix, Tubi, BET, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video.
Career
Halley first gained recognition as a talent manager, overseeing the careers of high-profile artists. At just 18 years old, he began managing rapper Shyne, helping him secure a record deal with Bad Boy Records.[1] He later played a pivotal role in Keyshia Cole's rise to fame, managing her career from the early stages and securing a record deal, brand partnerships, and television opportunities.[2] Under his management, Cole released six studio albums, including her double-platinum debut The Way It Is (2005), followed by Just Like You (2007), A Different Me (2008), Calling All Hearts (2010), Woman to Woman (2012), and Point of No Return (2014).
Halley also expanded Cole’s brand into television, securing and executive producing her BET reality series, Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is (2006–2008). The show became one of BET’s highest-rated reality series, helping to solidify Cole’s stardom.[3] Following its success, he executive produced spinoff series such as Frankie & Neffe (2009) and Keyshia Cole: All In (2015). During this time, he continued to manage and develop other major artists, including Nicki Minaj, Young Thug, and producer Wheezy Beatz.[1] He also expanded into music publishing, brokering deals with BMG, Kobalt, and Warner Chappell to support songwriters and producers behind hit records for Cardi B, Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, and Wiz Khalifa.[4]
Transitioning into film and television production, Halley founded Imani Media Group, a company specializing in urban cinema.[5] Through Faith Media Distribution, he has independently distributed several films, including True to the Game (2017) and its sequels. His projects have been featured on BET, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.[6]
Halley also expanded into scripted television production, launching Legacy, a BET drama series released in 2023. In 2024, his production company announced Angel, a crime drama that was greenlit for a full season by BET.[6]
Awards & Recognition
Halley has been recognized for his contributions to entertainment. As executive producer of Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is, he earned an NAACP Image Award nomination and a Prism Award for the show's realistic portrayal of substance abuse.[3] In 2023, he was honored with the Best Producer of the Year award at the 7th Annual HAPAwards.[3]
Filmography
Film
- Dutch III (2025) (Executive Producer, Producer, Music Supervisor, Casting Director, Writer)
- Dutch II (2024) (Executive Producer, Producer, Music Supervisor, Casting Director, Writer)
- Soul Mates (2023) (Executive Producer, Producer, Music Supervisor, Casting Director)
- Imani (2023) (Executive Producer, Producer, Music Supervisor, Casting Director)
- Wayward (2022) (Executive Producer, Producer, Music Supervisor, Casting Director)
- True to the Game 3 (2021) (Executive Producer, Producer, Music Supervisor, Casting Director)
- A Holiday Chance (2021) (Executive Producer, Producer, Music Supervisor, Casting Director)
- Real Talk (2021) (Executive Producer, Producer, Music Supervisor, Casting Director)
- Dutch (2021) (Executive Producer, Producer, Music Supervisor, Casting Director)
- True to the Game 2 (2020) (Executive Producer, Producer, Music Supervisor, Casting Director)
- True to the Game (2017) (Executive Producer, Producer, Music Supervisor, Casting Director)
- Frankie and Neffe (2009-2015) (Executive Producer, Producer)
- Keyshia Cole: All In (2015) (Executive Producer, Producer)
- You, Me, & The Circus (2012) (Executive Producer, Producer)
- Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is (100 Episodes 2006-2008) (Executive Producer, Producer)
- Turnaround (2002) (Executive Producer, Producer)
- Sacred Is The Flesh (2001) (Executive Producer, Producer)
Television
- Legacy (2023) (Executive Producer, Producer, Music Supervisor, Casting Director, Writer)
- Angel (2023) (Executive Producer, Producer, Music Supervisor, Casting Director, Writer)
- Frankie and Neffe (2009-2015) (Executive Producer, Producer)
- Keyshia Cole: All In (2015) (Executive Producer, Producer)
- You, Me, & The Circus (2012) (Executive Producer, Producer)
- Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is (100 Episodes 2006-2008) (Executive Producer, Producer)
- Turnaround (2002) (Executive Producer, Producer)
- Sacred Is The Flesh (2001) (Executive Producer, Producer)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Manny Halley, Steps Into Film Space With A Bang". LA Style Magazine. 15 June 2019. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024.
- ↑ McNary, Dave (13 July 2018). "Manny Halley's Imani Media Group Partners With NBC's Wilshire Studios". Variety.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Manny Halley, TV and Film Tycoon, becomes an Unstoppable Force with Unrivaled Productions" (Press release). EIN Presswire. 1 November 2023 – via Who13.
- ↑ "Manny Halley Produced 'TRUE TO THE GAME 2' Scores The #1 Highest Grossing Independent Film For The 2nd Straight Week" (Press release). Imani Media Group. November 16, 2020 – via AP.
- ↑ "Manny Halley Productions Partners with BET+ to Release Hit Series, Legacy". 2UrbanGirls. 3 March 2023.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Tyler Lepley, Richard T. Jones, Stephen Bishop, and Kadianne Whyte joins cast of Manny Halley's "Angel" as BET+ Greenlights Full-Length Season 1" (Press release). Imani Media Group. 9 October 2021 – via PR Newswire.
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