| Three 6 Mafia |
(Early Demo Tape "Smoked-Out, Loced Out")
|
| Background information |
| Birth name |
Paul Beauregard, Jordan Houston, Ricky Dunigan, and Patrick Rasheed Houston |
| Origin |
Memphis, Tennessee
United States |
| Genre(s) |
Crunk, Memphis Rap, Southern Rap, Gangsta Rap, Horrorcore |
| Years active |
1991—Present |
| Label(s) |
Columbia Records/Sony Music (2003-2006)
Loud Records(2000-2003)
Relativity Records(1997-2000)
Prophet Entertainment (1995-1997) |
| Website |
http://www.triplesix.com/ , http://www.daunbreakables.com/ |
Three 6 Mafia is the first hip hop group from Memphis, Tennessee to go platinum, the second hip-hop act to be nominated for and win an Oscar (1st was Eminem's "Lose Yourself"). They are the originators of certain types of crunk music. The group currently has three core members — DJ Paul, Juicy J and Lord Infamous, — and once included Koopsta Knicca, Gangsta Boo, and Crunchy Black, all of whom have left, or have been kicked out of the group. They commonly feature members of their extended collective of rappers, referenced to as the Hypnotize Minds (as well as other names), in their projects.
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Contents
- 1 History
- 2 Controversy
- 3 Awards
- 4 Trivia
- 5 Members
- 6 Discography
- 6.1 Three 6 Mafia Albums
- 6.2 Hypnotize Minds Albums
- 6.3 Compilations & Boxed Sets
- 6.4 Singles & EPs
- 7 Filmography
- 8 Music Videography
- 9 See also
- 10 External links
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History
Three 6 Mafia started in 1991 with three brothers, DJ Paul,Lord Infamous and polish underground duo , Jah DA Hustla & Last Dance (former of Gold'n'Platinum) who chose to collaborate with Juicy J under the name Triple 6 Mafia. The hip hop group formed through release of many EPs off of their own record company Prophet Entertainment (later renamed Hypnotize Minds Records). During their early career, they also were able to propel the careers of several other rappers.
In 1995, the group released its first official album, Mystic Stylez. It had recorded this album by using the profits from its highly successful underground tape Smoked Out, Loced Out. This was followed by the Live by Yo Rep EP, which took lyrical jabs at Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and their second album Chapter 1: Da End.
In 1997, they were signed to Relativity Records, where they released the first major record release, Chapter 2: World Domination. During this time, they were able to develop their technical style to gain some attention from major hip hop audiences with the single "Tear Da Club Up '97".
At this point in the group’s evolution, having signed to a major label and having scored an admirable hit single, group leaders Juicy J and DJ Paul began extending their brand. They started by releasing group member solo albums (Gangsta Boo, Koopsta Knicca), non-group member solo albums (Project Pat, The Kaze) and also compilation-styled albums (Tear Da Club Up Thugs, Hypnotize Camp Posse, Da Headbussaz and Prophet Posse). Around this time, they also released collections of tracks from earlier years (Underground Vol. 1: 1991-1994, Underground Vol. 2: Club Memphis, Underground Vol. 3: Kings of Memphis).
In 2000, the official Three 6 Mafia follow-up to the Chapter 2 album, When the Smoke Clears, was released. With the success of the lead single, Sippin’ on Some Syrup in a few non-Southern markets, the album debuted at number six on Billboard's album charts. It received no MTV airplay and little national radio rotation. This is the year Koopsta Knicca left the group.
They later began work on the direct-to-video film, Choices: The Movie, and affiliated solo albums. Choices and its accompanying soundtrack (Choices: The Album) were released in 2001. Gangsta Boo left the group this same year.
The year of 2002 saw two solo releases from the group's two producers. One from DJ Paul called Underground Vol. 16: For Da Summa and one called Chronicles of the Juice Man by Juicy J.
In 2003, Three 6 Mafia released the album Da Unbreakables, which features collaborations with Lil' Flip, Pimp C (from UGK), Lil' Wyte, Frayser Boy, and Project Pat. The album produced the hit "Ridin' Spinners," which featured Lil' Flip.
In 2005, the group released their follow up direct-to-video, Choices II: The Set Up, and their highly anticipated album Most Known Unknown. It was notable that Lord Infamous was missing from this album. The generally accepted reason was that he had been incarcerated; however, Three 6 Mafia claimed he was on "holiday." Recently, he has officially returned to Three 6 Mafia. The album includes the hit Stay Fly, featuring Young Buck, 8Ball & MJG. They also worked on the movie Hustle and Flow, which would lead them to an award and released a greatest hits album, Most Known Hits.
On June 7, 2006, Sony officially acknowledged the departure of original Three 6 Mafia member, Crunchy Black. He stated his reason for departure was to make a solo album that DJ Paul and Juicy J had put off for years.
Three 6 Mafia has official announced that it will be releasing a "Smoked Out: Greatest Hits" Album on October 3, 2006. It will feature all of their greatest hits that they have had in the past.
Controversy
Their name has been a topic of controversy because of some people's belief that their name refers to the Mark of the Beast. They are known to have mentioned the occult in song topics and this, with their name, has potentially affected their amount of television and radio play (until their success with Stay Fly). They have never claimed to worship Satan and claim to be Christians.[1] The name's meaning is attributed to "it started with three people in the group, ended up with six, Three 6 Mafia" according to an interview with Juicy J.[2] The group is now at 3 members again with Lord Infamous in jail and Project Pat filling in.
On the 1995 single Live By Yo Rep, the group had accused a Cleveland group, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, of stealing its style (a mix of quasi-harmonic rapping and blatant references to the occult). A rebuttal from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony came on the track All Original on their album, Art of War, that speaks critical remarks against Three 6 Mafia. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony paid insult to Three 6 Mafia on the song Notorious Thugs with The Notorious B.I.G..
The group was also able to make a number of other enemies with former members such as Playa Fly, Gangsta Blac, T-Rock and Kingpin Skinny Pimp. They also lost several members such as Koopsta Knicca, who left due to a monetary dispute, while La Chat and Gangsta Boo are currently pursuing solo careers. Gangsta Boo was rumored to have converted to a more conservative form of Christianity, changing her name to Lady Boo, feeling that "Gangsta" was no way to express her beliefs, but she switched back to Gangsta Boo and began rapping with her old style shortly after her departure.
Their 2006 single, Stay Fly, was also referenced in the argument of Three 6 Mafia's Satanic "shoutouts" for the high pitched, almost female voice, in the background at the beginnning of the song. The voice was assumed, by at least some, to be saying "Lucifer, Is My King, 'Til I Die". However, the track was actually derived from a classic funk/soul singer, Willie Hutch. The actual track says "You're my pride, you're my dream, you're my Dar-ling, Tell me Why? Tell me Why? Has our love gone cold?!".
Awards
On March 5, 2006, Three 6 Mafia made history as they became the first African-American hip-hop group to win an Academy Award for Best Song and also became the first hip-hop artists to ever perform at the ceremony. The group was nominated for the song It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp from the Hustle & Flow soundtrack. This marked only the second time that a hip-hop act was nominated, following Eminem. The Oscar-winning members of Three 6 Mafia were credited by their real names, Jordan Houston (Juicy J) and Paul Beauregard (DJ Paul), along with Cedric Duane Coleman (Frayser Boy), although host Jon Stewart did refer to them as Three 6 Mafia after their victory.
Trivia
- Recently, Three 6 Mafia recorded a song, Some Bodies Gonna Get It, for the WWE Wreckless Intent CD. Three 6 Mafia also gave WWE.com an interview and on May 26, 2006, they performed live on SmackDown! sponsored by Wrestler Mark Henry[3].
- Paris Hilton has sought out and obtained Three 6 Mafia to help her, not only produce, but write tracks for her upcoming album. Their meeting was profiled in a episode of The Simple Life.
- Three 6 Mafia perform on the fictional sketch comedy show featured in Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. They act as the show's musical guest in the show's pilot episode which was recently released on DVD to Netflix members.
- Three 6 Mafia also appeared in Johnny Knoxville's Jackass: Number Two.
Members
- DJ Paul (1991-present)
- Juicy J (1991-present)
- Lord Infamous (1991-present) (incarcerated 2005-2006, released in June)
- Project Pat (1991-present)
Former members
- Crunchy Black (1991-2006), left to pursue a solo career
- Gangsta "Lady" Boo (1991-2001), left to pursue a solo career (also citing religous differences)
- Koopsta Knicca (1991-2000), left due to monetary dispute
- Gangsta Blac (1991-1998), left on his own accord in pursuit of independent career.
Discography
Three 6 Mafia Albums
| Cover |
Title |
Information |
|
Mystic Stylez |
- Released: May 25, 1995
- Chart positions: #59 R&B
- Last RIAA certification: Over 200,000 units shipped independently.
|
|
Chapter 1: The End |
- Released: December 3, 1996
- Chart positions: #126 US Billboard 200, #42 R&B
- Last RIAA certification: N/A
|
|
Chapter 2: World Domination |
- Released: November 4, [[1997]
- Chart positions: #40 US Billboard 200, #18 R&B
- Last RIAA certification: Gold (Over 800,000 units shipped)
|
|
When the Smoke Clears |
- Released: June 13, 2000
- Chart positions: #6 US Billboard 200, #11 R&B
- Last RIAA certification: Platinum (Over 1.2 million units shipped)
|
|
Choices: The Album |
- Released: August 28, 2001
- Chart positions: N/A
- Last RIAA certification: Gold (Over 500,000 units shipped)
|
|
Da Unbreakables |
- Released: July 1, 2003
- Chart positions: #4 US Billboard 200, #2 R&B
- Last RIAA certification: Gold (Over 550,000 units shipped)
|
|
Choices II: The Setup (DVD & CD) |
- Released: March 29, 2005
- Chart positions: N/A
- Last RIAA certification: Platinum for Home DVDs (Over 150,000 units shipped)
|
|
Most Known Unknown |
- Released: September 27, 2005
- Chart positions: #3 US Billboard 200, #1 R&B, #1 Rap
- Last RIAA certification: Platinum (Over 1 million units shipped)
|
Hypnotize Minds Albums
| Album cover |
Album information |
|
Body Parts |
by Prophet Posse
- Released: 1998
- Chart positions: N/A
- Last RIAA certification:
|
|
CrazyNDaLazDayz |
by Tear Da Club Up Thugs
- Released: 1999
- Chart positions: N/A
- Last RIAA certification:Gold
|
|
Three 6 Mafia Presents: Hypnotize Camp Posse |
by Hypnotize Camp Posse
- Released: 2000
- Chart positions: N/A
- Last RIAA certification:Gold
|
|
Dat's How It Happened To'M |
by Da Headbussaz
- Released: 2002
- Chart positions: N/A
- Last RIAA certification:
|
Compilations & Boxed Sets
| Album Cover |
Album information |
|
Underground Vol. 1: (1991-1994) |
- Released: March 2, 1999
- Chart positions:N/A
- Last RIAA certification: N/A
|
|
Underground Vol. 2: Club Memphis |
- Released: August 24, 1999
- Chart positions: N/A
- Last RIAA certification: N/A
|
|
Underground Vol. 3: Kings of Memphis |
- Released: October 31, 2000
- Chart positions: N/A
- Last RIAA certification: N/A
|
|
Most Known Hits |
- Released: November 15, 2005
- Chart positions: #154 US Billboard 200
- Last RIAA certification: N/A
|
|
Smoked Out Music Greatest Hits |
- Released: October 3, 2006
- Chart positions: N/A
- Last RIAA certification: N/A
|
Singles & EPs
| Album Cover |
Album information |
|
Live By Yo Rep (EP) |
- Released: December 5, 1995
- Chart positions: N/A
- Last RIAA certification: N/A
|
| Year |
Song |
U.S. Hot 100 |
U.S. R&B |
U.S. Rap |
UK singles |
Album |
| 1998 |
"Late Nite Tip" |
— |
#76 |
— |
— |
Chapter 2: World Domination |
| 1998 |
"Tear Da Club Up '97" |
— |
#70 |
#29 |
— |
Chapter 2: World Domination |
| 2000 |
"Who Run It" |
— |
— |
— |
— |
When The Smoke Clears/Three 6 Mafia Presents... Hypnotize Camp Posse |
| 2000 |
"Sippin On Some Syrup" (Feat. UGK, & Project Pat) |
— |
#30 |
— |
— |
When The Smoke Clears |
| 2000 |
"Tongue Ring" |
— |
— |
— |
— |
When The Smoke Clears |
| 2001 |
"Baby Mama" (Feat. La Chat) |
— |
#94 |
— |
— |
Choices: The Album |
| 2001 |
"2-Way Freak" (Feat. La Chat) |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Choices: The Album |
| 2003 |
"Ridin' Spinners" (Feat. Lil' Flip) |
— |
#62 |
— |
— |
Da Unbreakables |
| 2005 |
"Stay Fly" (Feat. Young Buck & Eightball & MJG) |
#13 [Platinum] |
#9 |
#3 |
#33 |
Most Known Unknown |
| 2006 |
"Poppin' My Collar" (Remix) (Feat. Project Pat) |
#21 [Gold] |
#10 |
#6 |
— |
Most Known Unknown |
| 2006 |
"Side 2 Side" (Remix) (Feat. Project Pat & Bow Wow) |
— |
#63 |
— |
— |
Most Known Unknown |
Filmography
- Choices: The Movie (2001)
- Choices II: The Setup (2005)
- Hustle & Flow (2005)
- The Clean Up Man (2005)
- Ultimate Video Collection (2006)
- Jackass: Number Two (2006)
- Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip TV series (2006) (episode: "Pilot")
Music Videography
- Music Video for "One Life 2 Live" at YouTube.
- Music Video for "Tear Da Club Up '97" at YouTube.
- Music Video for "Late Nite Tip" at YouTube.
- Music Video for "Who Run It" at YouTube.
- Music Video for "Sippin On Some Syrup" at YouTube.
- Music Video for "Tongue Ring" at YouTube.
- Music Video for "Ridin Spinners" at YouTube.
- Music Video for "Stay Fly" at YouTube.
- Music Video for "Side 2 Side" at YouTube.
- Music Video for "Baby Mama" at YouTube.
- Music Video for "2 Way Freak" at YouTube.
- Music Video for "Poppin My Collar" at YouTube.
- Who Gives a Fuck Where You From
- Music Video For "Ghetto Chick" at YouTube.
- Music Video For "Who I Is" at YouTube.
See also
- Hypnotize Minds
- Southern Rap
- Memphis Rap
- Crunk
External links
- Hypnotize Minds Official site
- Hypnotize Camp Posse Forum
- Three 6 Mafia's Official Website on Sony Urban Music/Columbia Records
- Three 6 Mafia MemphisRap.com Profile
- Three 6 Mafia at the Internet Movie Database
Categories: Best Song Academy Award winning songwriters | Academy Award winners | American hip hop groups | Memphis rap artists | Three 6 Mafia | The Simple Life
