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Three 6 Mafia (formerly known as Triple Six 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. They are the originators of certain types of crunk music. The group currently has four core members — DJ Paul, Juicy J, Lord Infamous, and Project Pat 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 Camp Posse (as well as other names), in their projects.

History

Three 6 Mafia started in 1993 with two brothers, DJ Paull and Lord Infamous who chose to collaborate with Juicy J under the name Backyard Posse, then 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 and 8 Ball & MJG. They also worked on the movie Hustle & 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. .

Controversy

Their name has been a topic of controversy because of some people's belief that their name refers to the Number 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 however, and have said they are Christian. 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. 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 2005 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 beginning 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.

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 and won, 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.

Some criticism was leveled at the fact that all performers in the group arrived in baggy and oversized street clothes for the ceremony. This was seen as somewhat rude and disrespectful and in contrast to other hip-hop entertainers, such as Diddy, who make several efforts to appear in suits and formal attire when attending professional outings.

Trivia

• 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, who used the song as his entrance theme.

• 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 an episode of The Simple Life.

• Three 6 Mafia has made a cameo on Entourage.

• 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.

• They are working on their newest album Da Last 2 Walk with producers like Lil Jon, Jazze Pha, Dr. Dre, Jonathan Rotem and more.

Members

• DJ Paul (1991-present)
• Juicy J (1991-present)
• Lord Infamous (1991-present) (incarcerated on multiple charges)
• Project Pat (Three 6 Mafia affiliate from 1991-2005, member in 2006), Replaced Crunchy Black

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 religious differences)
• Koopsta Knicca (1991-2000), left due to monetary dispute

All of these former members have joined the New Prophet Camp.

Discography

Three 6 Mafia Albums

Cover	Title	Information
File:Mysticstylescover.jpg	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
File:Ch.2wd.jpg	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)
File:Whenthesmoke.jpg	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)
File:Choices-thealbum.jpg	Choices: The Album	Released: August 28 2001 Chart positions: N/A Last RIAA certification: Gold (Over 500,000 units shipped)
File:Daunbreak.jpg	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)
File:Mostknown.jpg	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

Compilations & Boxed Sets

Album Cover	Album information
File:Three 6 Mafia - Underground Vol. 1 - 00 - Front Cover.jpg	Underground Vol. 1: (1991-1994)	Released: March 2, 1999 Chart positions:N/A Last RIAA certification: N/A
File:Clubmemphis.jpg	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
File:Mostknownhits.jpg	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 6, 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

Songs Featuring Three 6 Mafia

• "2 Live Party" — 2 Live Crew
• "24's (Remix)" — T.I. from An "TRAP MUZIK"
• "3,2,1, Go!" — Lil' Flip from "I Need Mine"
• "4 Oz." — Ying Yang Twins from U.S.A. (Still United)
• "Act A Fool" - Lil Jon from "Crunk Rock"
• "Been Gettin Money" - Project Pat from " Crook By the Book: The Feds Story"
• "Born In The Ghetto" 3re Tha Hardway
• "Break da Law 2001" — Project Pat from Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin'
• "Cadillac" - Trae from Restless
• "Chickenhead" — Project Pat also f/ed La Chat from Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin'
• "Chop Me Up" — Justin Timberlake also f/ed Timbaland from FutureSex/LoveSound
• "Closing The Club" — 112 from Pleasure & Pain
• "Club Gettin' Crowded" — Chingy from Hoodstar
• "Don't Play With Me" — Dem Franchize Boyz from On Top of Our Game
• "Don't Stand So Close '2001' — Gangsta Boo from Both Worlds *69
• "Gangster Walk" — David Banner also f/ed Marcus, & 8 Ball & MJG from Certified
• "Get 'Em Shawty" — Killer Mike from the upcoming album I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind
• "Go 2 Sleep" — Ludacris also f/ed I-20 & Lil' Wilson from Word of Mouf
• "Gold Shine" — Project Pat from Ghetty Green
• "Good Googly Moogly — Project Pat from Crook By da Book: The Fed Story
• "Hennessey & Hydro" — I-20 from Self Explanatory
• "I'm A Playa" - Paul Wall from the People's Champ
• "Matrix" — Tango Redd also f/ed Frayser Boy from An Unknown Album
• "Move Bitch (Remix)" — Lil Jon also f/ed Youngbloodz from "Put Yo Hood Up"
• "Nan Notha'" — Frayser Boy from Gone On That Bay
• "Players In da Atmosphere" — Lil' Wyte from Doubt Me Now
• "Purple Punch" — Cam'ron also f/ed Juelz Santana from Purple Haze
• "Represent" — Lil' Flip also f/ed David Banner from U Gotta Feel Me
• "Summer Tyme - Frayser Boy Me Being Me
• "Still Here" — Lyfe Jennings also f/ed Project Pat from The Phoenix
• "U.S. Souldier Boy" — Lil' Wyte from Phinally Phamous
• "Where Itz Going Down" — Twiztid also f/ed ABK & Blaze Ya Dead Homie from Freek Show
• "Who's Gonna Ride" — Christina Milian from So Amazin
• "Just Anotha Crazy Click" — Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid
• "Throw me that pack" - Czar*Nok
• "Click Up" - T.I., Lil Jon and Young Jeezy

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)
• Flavor of Love (2006) (TV Series)
• MTV's Jamie Kennedy's Blowin' Up (2006) (TV Series; episode was banned due to controversy after the first time it aired)
• Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006) (TV Series; episode: "Pilot")
• Criss Angel Mindfreak (2006) (TV Series; episode: "Celebrity Séance")

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 IMDb

• Best Song Academy Award winning songwriters
• Academy Award winners
• American hip hop groups
• Memphis rap artists
• Three 6 Mafia
• The Simple Life