Three 6 Mafia (formerly
Triple Six Mafia) is an American
rap group originating from
Memphis,
Tennessee. Formed in 1991 by
DJ Paul,
Lord Infamous, and
Juicy J, they shortly thereafter recruited fellow Memphian rappers
Koopsta Knicca,
Gangsta Boo, and
Crunchy Black. The group also frequently collaborates with
Project Pat (the brother of Juicy J). 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 over. 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 DJ Paul and Juicy J, It is unknown if Lord Infamous is back with the group on a full-time basis. Nonetheless, they have cultivated a sizeable and diverse cult following that has only increased since their Oscar win. DJ Paul's new solo album Scale-A-Ton was released May 5, 2009, Juicy J's Solo Album Hustle Till I Die was released June 16, 2009. Their latest album entitled Laws of Power is due out on November 10th, 2009.
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", followed shortly after by "Triple Six Mafia" and originally did "horrorcore" music. The group formed through release of many EPs from their own record company with Nick Scarfo, Prophet Entertainment, later launching 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).
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).
