Three 6 Mafia

Three Six Mafia

Members DJ Paul and Juicy J performing live
Background information
Origin Memphis, Tennessee
Genres Hip hop Horrorcore
Years active 1991–present[1]
Labels Sony Music Entertainment, Hypnotize Minds, Columbia Records
Associated acts Project Pat, Lil Wyte, Lord Infamous, Eightball & MJG
Members
DJ Paul
Juicy J
Past members
Crunchy Black(1994-2006)
Gangsta Boo(1994-2001)
Koopsta Knicca(1992-2000)
Lord Infamous(1991-2005)

Three 6 Mafia is an Academy Award-winning[2] American rap group originating from Memphis, Tennessee. Formed in 1991 as Triple 6 Mafia by brothers DJ Paul and Lord Infamous they started collaborating with Juicy J and he became the one of the core members of the group.. The group at its most featured six members; Crunchy Black, DJ Paul, Gangsta Boo, Juicy J, Koopsta Knicca and Lord Infamous. The group also frequently collaborates with Project Pat (Juicy J's older brother). Their 2005 song "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp" won Best Original Song at the 78th Academy Awards.

The group released their debut underground album Mystic Stylez in 1995 through Prophet Entertainment, a record label they created but have since relinquished control. Their musical style—which initially featured dark, menacing beats with equally gritty lyrics—has since moved to a more mainstream sound. The group has also had numerous lineup changes, and now consists only of original members Juicy J and DJ Paul. Nonetheless, they have cultivated a sizable and diverse cult following that has only increased since their Oscar win. They have released two platinum albums; When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1 and Most Known Unknown, the latter featured their well known single Stay Fly. They have since gone on to collaborate with many well known singers and rappers such as Akon, Jim Jones, Tech N9ne, Paul Wall and Ludacris. DJ Paul's new solo album Scale-A-Ton was released May 5, 2009, and Juicy J's solo album Hustle Till I Die was released June 16, 2009. Their latest album entitled Laws of Power was set for release in January 2010 but was then pushed back to June 29, 2010, however it is now currently delayed till late 2010

Contents

History

The group started in 1991 in Memphis with DJ Paul (Paul Beauregard), Juicy J (Jordan Houston) and Lord Infamous (Ricky Dunigan). The original name for the hip hop group was "Backyard Posse". The group formed through the release of numerous EPs from their own record company with Nick Scarfo, Prophet Entertainment, which were sold around Memphis and the Mid-South. Later DJ Paul and Juicy J formed their own label, Hypnotize Minds Records. During their early career, they also propelled the careers of several other rappers. Eventually added before the release of Mystic Stylez were rappers Koopsta Knicca (Robert Cooper), Gangsta Boo (Lola Mitchell), and Crunchy Black (Darnell Carlton).

The group's membership varied from album to album, with the one constant being the duo of Juicy J and DJ Paul, who are producers as well as rappers. Other notable Mafia affiliates at one time or another include Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo, Lord Infamous, Koopsta Knicca, La Chat, T-Rock, Project Pat, Lil Wyte, Killa Klan Kaze, and Indo G. The production acumen of Juicy and Paul also brought about a number of side projects (Tear da Club Up Thugs, Hypnotize Camp Posse, Da Headbussaz) and independent label ventures; the guys initially did business as Prophet Entertainment, later as Hypnotize Minds, working out deals with Relativity Records, Loud Records, and Columbia - all in turn.

At this point in the group's evolution, having signed to a major label and having scored an admirable hit single, group leaders DJ Paul and Juicy J began extending their brand. They started by releasing group member solo albums (Gangsta Boo, Koopsta Knicca), non-group member solo albums (Killa Klan 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).

Academy Award win

On March 5, 2006, Three Six Mafia made history as they became the first black music group to win an Academy Award for Best Song (the first black artist to do so was Isaac Hayes for Theme from Shaft in 1971) 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. Three Six Mafia were credited by their real names, Jordan Houston (Juicy J) and Paul Beauregard (DJ Paul), along with two new group members, Darnell Carlton (Crunchy Black),and Taylor D (TD) and label mate Cedric Duane Coleman (Frayser Boy), although host Jon Stewart did refer to them as "Triple Six Mafia" after their victory, saying "To recap, Triple Six Mafia: 1. Martin Scorsese: 0." Scorsese would finally receive his own Oscar, for Best Director, the following year.

Events after Academy Award win

World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Mark Henry uses their song "Somebody's Gonna Get It"[3] as his entrance theme and can be seen on Monday Night Raw. The song was the first track they did after the receiving their Oscar.

On June 7, 2006, Sony officially acknowledged the departure of original Triple Six Mafia member Crunchy Black. He stated his reason for departure was to make a solo album that DJ Paul and Juicy J had allegedly put off for years, with most of the material being used for Most Known Unknown. Thereafter Triple Six Mafia consisted just of remaining members DJ Paul and Juicy J.

The two producers of the group had their own reality show, Adventures in Hollyhood, on MTV. The show focused on what it's like to be a member of the Triple Six Mafia, balancing the increased fame after their Oscar win while attempting to stay true to their loyal fans. The show premiered on April 5, 2007 at 10 p.m. Eastern time on MTV.[4]

Three Six Mafia are featured in Justin Timberlake's "Chop Me Up"- FutureSex/LoveSounds, along with record producer/singer/ rapper Timbaland.[5]

DJ Paul and Juicy J appeared in the May 9, 2008 episode of the CBS television series Numb3rs, which revolves around the murder of a rapper. The group also performed "Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body)" on the show.[6]

As of early 2009, Lord Infamous was featured on DJ Paul's new solo album Scale-A-Ton. DJ Paul's Scale-A-Ton album was released On May 5, 2009. Lord Infamous was featured on 8 tracks. Juicy J's Hustle Till I Die album was released on June 16.[7] Juicy J's album featured his brother Project Pat[8] and other rappers such as V-Slash[9], Gucci Mane[10], Webbie[11] and Gorilla Zoe[12].

The group now has their own Youtube pages, DJ Paul's being "djpaulkomtv"[13] and Juicy J's being "juicyjcomic".[14] The group regularly posts information about their new albums on the pages and they have posted many videos of their tour in Germany where they have been to places such as; Mainz, Nuremberg, Passau, Weinheim, Wildeshausen, Stuttgart, Japan, and Gollhofen. The two members now also both have Twitter pages, Juicy J's being "therealjuicyj"[15] and DJ Paul's being "djpaulkom".[16]

The group's tenth album, entitled; Laws of Power was released on 29th June, 2010. It has spawned four singles so far. Shake My (which features R&B signer Kalenna and rapper Pitbull) was released September 8th, 2009. Three Six Mafia then released the single Lil' Freak (Ugh Ugh Ugh), which features Louisiana rapper Webbie on September 25th, 2009. Three Six Mafia's third single from the album; Feel It was a completely different style of music to the usual type the duo release, the single was nominated for 2010 International Dance Music Awards Best Hip Hop Dance Track. The latest single to be released from the album features Tech N9ne, entitled "Shots After Shots", the song features production from Dr. Luke.

Discography

Filmography

Feature films

Television series

DVDs

Original television series

Video Games

Awards and nominations

Year Nominated work Award Result
2006 "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp" 78th Academy Awards Best Original Song Won
2008 Three 6 Mafia AMA Favorite Band/Duo/Group Won
2009 Three 6 Mafia BET Award for Best Group Nominated
2010 "Feel It" 2010 International Dance Music Awards Best Hip Hop Dance Track Nominated

References

  1. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/Three-6-Mafia/e/B000AQ03JC
  2. ↑ http://www.sixshot.com/news/5940/
  3. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/WWE-Wreckless-Intent-Various-Artists/dp/B000F8OINM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1263150966&sr=1-1
  4. ↑ Official MTV site for Adventures in Hollyhood
  5. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/FutureSex-LoveSounds-Justin-Timberlake/dp/B000H305U0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1263151125&sr=1-1
  6. ↑ http://www.rapbasement.com/news/three-6-mafia/three-6-mafia-guest-star-on-numb3rs.html
  7. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/Hustle-Till-I-Die-Juicy/dp/B0026RLPYK
  8. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002B4K1NE/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk2
  9. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002B4K1M0/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk1
  10. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002B4K1NE/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk2
  11. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002B4PI00/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk9
  12. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002B4PI00/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk13
  13. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/djpaulkomtv
  14. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/juicyjcomic
  15. ↑ http://www.twitter.com/therealjuicyj
  16. ↑ http://twitter.com/djpaulkom

External links

Three 6 Mafia
DJ Paul · Juicy J
Crunchy Black · Gangsta Boo · Koopsta Knicca · Lord Infamous
Albums
Smoked Out, Loced Out · Mystic Stylez · Chapter 1: The End · Chapter 2: World Domination · When the Smoke Clears · Choices: The Album · Da Unbreakables · Choices II: The Setup · Most Known Unknown · Last 2 Walk · Laws of Power
Compilations
Live by Yo Rep · Underground Vol. 1: (1991-1994) · Underground Vol. 2: Club Memphis · Underground Vol. 3: Kings of Memphis · Three 6 Mafia Presents: Hypnotize Camp Posse · Most Known Hits · Smoked Out Music Greatest Hits · Prophet's Greatest Hits · CrazyNDaLazDayz · Da Headbusaz - Dat's How It Happen To'M
Singles
"Sippin' on Some Syrup" · "Who Run It" · "Tongue Ring" · "2-Way Freak" · "Baby Mama" · "One Hitta Quitta" · "Squeeze It" · "Who I Iz" · "Ridin' Spinners" · "Stay Fly" · "Poppin' My Collar" · "Side 2 Side" · "Doe Boy Fresh" · "Like Money" · "I'd Rather" · "Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body)" · "That's Right" · "Shake My" · "Lil Freak (Ugh, Ugh, Ugh)" · "Feel It" · "Shots After Shots"
Related articles
Discography · Project Pat · Lil Wyte · Hypnotize Minds · Adventures in Hollyhood · Columbia Records · Sony Records