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Three 6 Mafia
Juicy J (front) DJ Paul (back) live 2004.
Background information
Also known as	Triple Six Mafia, Da Mafia 6ix, Backyard Possey, 666 Mafia
Origin	Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres	Southern hip hop, horrorcore, crunk, dirty rap, gangsta rap, hardcore hip hop
Years active	1991–present
Labels	Sony Music, Hypnotize Minds, Columbia
Members	DJ Paul Juicy J Lord Infamous Koopsta Knicca Crunchy Black Gangsta Boo

Three 6 Mafia are a rap group originally from Memphis, Tennessee, signed to Sony Music Entertainment under the Columbia Records imprint. Formed in 1991 as Backyard Posse then later Triple 6 Mafia, by DJ Paul, Lord Infamous, Juicy J and Koopsta Knicca, the group later included two more members including; Crunchy Black and Gangsta Boo (who were both added shortly before the release of their debut album Mystic Stylez). The group has also collaborated with many rappers on their own label; Hypnotize Minds, where they have kick started the careers for many Memphis rappers, such as; Frayser Boy, Gangsta Blac, Lil Wyte and Indo G. The group frequently collaborates with Project Pat (Juicy J's older brother). Their 2005 song "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" from the film Hustle and Flow 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 of. 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 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 RIAA rated platinum albums; When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1 and Most Known Unknown, the latter featured their well known single "Stay Fly", which is said to be the kick start of their rise to fame and the mainstream. The group's worldwide album sales stand at 5.5 million. In 2013, five of the original members reunited, performing under the name Da Mafia 6ix, and are planning to release a new album in March 2014.

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 dark 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-West. 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). They left the label due to money disputes.

The group expanded and help start the careers of notable Mafia affiliates such as Project Pat, Al Kapone, La Chat, Lil Wyte, T-Rock, Killa Klan Kaze, Playa Fly and Indo G. The production acumen of Juicy and Paul also brought about a number of side projects such as Tear da Club Up Thugs, Hypnotize Camp Posse and Da Headbussaz as well as independent label ventures.

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 solo albums by Gangsta Boo and Koopsta Knicca, solo albums by their affiliates such as, Can It Be? by Gangsta Black, Ghetty Green, Murderers & Robbers, Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin' and Layin' da Smack Down by Project Pat, Doubt Me Now, Phinally Phamous, The One and Only (Lil Wyte album) and The Bad Influence by Lil Wyte, Angel Dust by Indo G, Gone On That Bay by Frayser Boy, and compilation-styled albums such as collections of tracks from earlier years (Underground Vol. 1: (1991-1994), Underground Vol. 2: Club Memphis, Underground Vol. 3: Kings of Memphis). Three Six Mafia also originally coined the term "Crunk" as a description of their Southern type sound. In the late 90's to the mid 2000s, DJ Paul & Juicy J were in talks about doing a collaboration album entitled cashin' checks, though it was never released.

Events after Academy Award win

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. The show was a success. Three Six Mafia are featured on Justin Timberlake's "Chop Me Up" from his album FutureSex/LoveSounds, along with record producer/singer/rapper Timbaland.

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.

As of early 2009, Lord Infamous was featured on DJ Paul's new solo album Scale-A-Ton, which 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. Juicy J's album featured his brother Project Pat and other rappers such as V-Slash, Gucci Mane, Webbie and Gorilla Zoe.

The group now has their own Youtube pages, DJ Paul's being "djpaulkomtv" and Juicy J's being "juicyjcomic". 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" and DJ Paul's being "djpaulkom".

The group's tenth album, entitled; Laws of Power will be released at some point... It has spawned four singles so far. "Shake My" (which features R&B signer Kalenna and rapper Pitbull) was released September 8, 2009. Three Six Mafia then released the single "Lil' Freak (Ugh Ugh Ugh)", which features Louisiana rapper Webbie on September 25, 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", and features production from Dr. Luke.

June 10, 2011 Three 6 Mafia became part of the VH1 reality show, "Famous Food," where Dj Paul got into a controversial fight with Ashley Dupre from the Elliot Spitzer scandal.

Around 2011 Juicy J confirmed affiliations with Wiz Khalifa's "Taylor Gang" leaving Triple 6 for a while. In the mixtape Blue Dream & Lean he changed his rap topics from everyday hood deals to "trippy" music, containing topics about lean, trippy, drugs, pills, girls, weed, alcohol, tobacco, sex, partying, love, bars, strip clubs, etc. He changed his flow to a more relaxed and laid back style, very different from his past flow which included hard lyrics and heavy breathing. His strip club anthem "Bandz A Make Her Dance" featuring Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz has charted at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100. His third studio album will release in early 2013. Juicy J has said that he is going to put a hold on the group, while he focuses on his solo rise to fame on the pop charts. He has changed his raps from the hard southern rap sound to the light easy-listening hip pop radio sound.

Da Mafia 6ix

In 2013, DJ Paul stated that Three 6 Mafia are working on a reunion album under the new name "Da Mafia 6ix". The album, which is scheduled for a March 2014 release, will feature five of the six original members of the group: DJ Paul, Crunchy Black, Koopsta Knicca, Lord Infamous and Gangsta Boo, who started recording in Las Vegas in late 2013. Due to the established contracts with Sony, which owns the rights to Three 6 Mafia, Juicy J could not perform with DJ Paul in a different group not under the label. DJ Paul explained the name change of the group was because of Juicy J's absence, and that he would "look at it as a new project". On November 12, 2013, Da Mafia 6ix released their first mixtape 6ix Commandments. The tape was almost entirely produced by DJ Paul and has guest features from Yelawolf, 8Ball & MJG, Krayzie Bone, Bizzy Bone, SpaceGhostPurrp and HCP affiliates Lil Wyte, Skinny Pimp and La Chat, among others. Juicy J and Project Pat also appeared as surprise guests on the posse song "Body Parts", being credited just as "& more" in the track listing. The mixtape was supported by the lead single "Go Hard" with Yelawolf. The mixtape also received a retail release and debuted at number 34 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Discography

• Mystic Stylez (1995)
• Chapter 1: The End (1996)
• Chapter 2: World Domination (1997)
• When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1 (2000)
• Choices: The Album (2001)
• Da Unbreakables (2003)
• Choices II: The Setup (2005)
• Most Known Unknown (2005)
• Most Known Hits (2005)
• Last 2 Walk (2008)

Filmography

Feature films

• Choices (2001)
• Choices II: The Setup (2005)
• The Clean Up Men (2005)
• Hustle & Flow (2005) "It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp" is the official song to the movie.
• Jackass 2 (2006) "Goin Crazy" is the official song to the movie. Also made an appearance within the movie, where they paid Dave England $200 to eat horse dung.
• Rocky Balboa (2006) – "It's a Fight" is on the official soundtrack to the movie.
• Jackass 2.5 (2007)
• The Campaign (2012) A** and T******

Television series

• Jackass (2002)
• Wildboyz Deep South (Ep. 307) (2005)
• Flavor of Love (2006)
• MTV's Jamie Kennedy's Blowin' Up (2006) – episode was banned due to controversy after the first time it aired
• The Simple Life (2006)
• Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006) – episode: "Pilot" – musical guest on the fictional sketch comedy show within Studio 60
• WWE Friday Night SmackDown (2006) – performed Some Bodies Gonna Get It (a song they made for WWE Wrestler Mark Henry from the album WWE Wreckless Intent) live when Mark Henry wrestled Chris Benoit in May 2006, Henry continues to use the song as his entrance music
• Entourage (2006) – in the episode entitled "What about Bob?"
• My Super Sweet 16 (2006) Three 6 Mafia was the musical performance at the party
• 1 vs. 100 (2006)
• Criss Angel Mindfreak (2006) – episode: "Celebrity Séance"
• Wrestling Society X (2007) – episode #2
• Rob & Big (2006) – Three 6 Mafia rapped at a party on episode 1 of season 1
• Wild 'n Out (2007) – Spring Break edition
• Mind of Mencia (2007) – Season 3, Episode 2
• Adventures in Hollyhood (2007)
• Beauty and the east side west (2007) episode 2 DJ Paul and Juicy J are judges in a rapping contest between the geeks
• Numb3rs (2008) Juicy J and DJ Paul perform "Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body)" on the CBS drama
• Punk'd (2006) Juicy J sets up DJ Paul
• The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2008) Juicy J and DJ Paul perform "Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body)"
• The Andy Milonakis Show (2007)
• Paris Hilton's My New BFF (season 2) (2009) episode: "Learn From Your Mistakes" Three 6 Mafia interviewed Paris Hilton's Potential BFF's
• The Mo'Nique Show (2010) Three 6 Mafia performs "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp"
• Los Twiins (2010) Episode 04

DVDs

• Choices: The Movie (2001)
• Choices II (2005)
• Clean Up Men (2005)
• Ultimate Video Collection (2006)
• Adventures in Hollyhood (2007)

Original television series

• Adventures in Hollyhood (2007)
• Three 6 Mafia's Adventures in Spring Break (2007)
• Famous Food (2011)

Video games

• Saint's Row – "Who I Iz"
• NFL Street – "Who Gives a Fuck Where You From (Radio Edit)"
• Fight Night Round 4 – "Shove It (Three 6 Mafia Remix)" (Santogold featuring Project Pat)
• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011, WWE '12, WWE '13 and WWE 2K14 for Mark Henry's theme music – "Some Bodies Gonna Get It"

Awards and nominations

References

1. New York Times
2. ^ "DJ Paul Announces Da Mafia 6ix Album Info". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2013-11-13.
3. Official MTV site for Adventures in Hollyhood
4. "FutureSex / LoveSounds: Justin Timberlake: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
5. "Three 6 Mafia Guest Star on NUMB3RS | Three 6 Mafia". Rap Basement. 2008-04-26. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
6. "Hustle Till I Die: Juicy J: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
7. ^ "30 Inches (Feat. Gucci Mane & Project Pat) [Explicit]: Juicy J: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
8. "Hustle Till I Die (Feat. V Slash) [Explicit]: Juicy J: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
9. ^ "Ugh Ugh Ugh (Feat. Weebie & Project Pat) [Explicit]: Juicy J: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
10. "Канал користувача djpaulkomtv". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
11. "Канал користувача juicyjcomic". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
12. "juicy j (therealjuicyj) on Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
13. Djpaulkom. "DJPAUL THREE 6 MAFIA (DJPAULKOM) on Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
14. Dj Paul Responds To Fighting w/ Ashley Dupre For The 1st Time!
15. "Da Mafia 6ix "6ix Commandments" Cover Art, Tracklisting, Download & Mixtape Stream". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2013-11-13.
16. "Three 6 Mafia! Da Mafia 6ix! New Mixtape "6ix Commandments"". LiveMixtapes. Retrieved 2013-11-13.
17. "Da Mafia 6ix 'Go Hard' With Yelawolf (and Not Juicy J)". Spin. Retrieved 2013-11-13.
18. http://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-albums?page=3

External links

• Official website
• Three 6 Mafia at IMDb

• African-American crunk groups
• African-American musical groups
• Best Song Academy Award winning songwriters
• Columbia Records artists
• Horrorcore groups
• Musical groups established in 1991
• Musical groups from Memphis, Tennessee
• Rappers from Memphis, Tennessee
• Southern hip hop groups
• Southern hip hop musicians
• American musical duos