Three 6 Mafia
Juicy J (front) DJ Paul (back) live 2004.
Background information
Also known as	Triple 6 Mafia,
Origin	Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop, crunk
Years active	1991–present
Labels	Sony Music, Hypnotize Minds, Columbia
Associated acts	Project Pat, Lil Wyte, UGK, 8Ball & MJG, Rick Ross, 1017 Brick Squad, Drumma Boy, Young Buck, Tech N9ne
Members
DJ Paul Juicy J
Past members
Crunchy Black Gangsta Boo Koopsta Knicca

Three 6 Mafia are an Academy Award-winning rap group originally from Memphis, Tennessee. Formed in 1991 as 666 Mafia, the group at its most featured six members including; Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo and Koopsta Knicca (who were all 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" won Best Original Song at the 78th Academy Awards.^[1]

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 cause of their rise to fame and the mainstream. The group's worldwide album sales stand at 5.5 million. ^[2] They have since gone on to collaborate with many well known singers and rappers such as Akon, 2 Chainz, Tech N9ne, Insane Clown Posse, Paul Wall, Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka Flame, French Montana, Ludacris, Sean Kingston and Flo Rida. Their latest album entitled Laws of Power is set to be released summer 2012.^[3]

History[link]

The group started in 1991 in Memphis with DJ Paul (Paul Beauregard), Juicy J (Jordan Houston) and Lord Infamous (Ricky Dunigan). Big P of Hughes Arkansas better know as Preston Jones is the Originator. 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-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 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 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.

Events after Academy Award win[link]

World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Mark Henry uses their song "Somebody's Gonna Get It"^[4] as his entrance theme. The song was the first track they did after 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.^[5]The show turned out a major failure and was soon cancelled.

Three Six Mafia are featured on Justin Timberlake's "Chop Me Up" from his album FutureSex/LoveSounds, along with record producer/singer/rapper Timbaland.^[6]

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.^[7]

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.^[8] Juicy J's album featured his brother Project Pat^[9] and other rappers such as V-Slash,^[10] Gucci Mane,^[9] Webbie^[11] and Gorilla Zoe.^[11]

The group now has their own Youtube pages, DJ Paul's being "djpaulkomtv"^[12] and Juicy J's being "juicyjcomic".^[13] 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"^[14] and DJ Paul's being "djpaulkom".^[15]

The group's tenth album, entitled; Laws of Power will be released at some point in 2012. 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^[16] from the Elliot Spitzer scandal.

Discography[link]

• 1995: Mystic Stylez
• 1995: Live by Yo Rep (EP)
• 1996: Chapter 1: The End
• 1997: Chapter 2: World Domination
• 2000: When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1
• 2001: Choices: The Album
• 2003: Da Unbreakables
• 2005: Choices II: The Setup
• 2005: Most Known Unknown
• 2008: Last 2 Walk
• 2012: Laws of Power

Filmography[link]

Feature films[link]

• 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)

Television series[link]

• 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 Geek (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[link]

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

Original television series[link]

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

Video Games[link]

• 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 and WWE '12 "Some Bodies Gonna Get It"

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Three 6 Mafia at the Internet Movie Database