Three 6 Mafia

Biography

Three 6 Mafia is an American hip-hop group from Memphis, Tennessee, formed in 1991. Emerging as a horror-themed underground hip-hop group, they went on to enjoy mainstream success. The group's 1995 debut album Mystic Stylez×Mystic Stylez30 May 1995 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Da Beginning1:142Break da Law “95”4:223Da Summa4:444Live by Yo Rep (Bone Dis)5:135In da Game4:046Now I’m Hi, Pt. 35:117Long Nite4:358Sweet Robbery, Pt. 24:469Back Against da Wall4:5110Fuckin Wit Dis Click6:1811All or Nothin4:5412Gotta Touch ’Em, Pt. 24:5513Tear da Club Up4:3514Big Bizness (screwed)2:1815Mystic Styles6:2416Porno Movie5:25 became an influential cult classic. They have released music on independent labels such as Prophet Entertainment and their own Hypnotize Minds label, as well as Relativity, Loud, and Columbia Records.
Two of their albums are RIAA-certified platinum: When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1×When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 113 June 2000 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks1Intro0:57244 Killers (interlude)1:423Sippin’ on Some Syrup4:224Weak Azz Bitch2:475Just Like Us4:146I’m So Hi3:577Mafia Niggaz3:058Hook Up W/ Hoes (skit)0:399From da Back4:0210Fuck Y’all Hoes3:5911Where da Cheese At2:2912Tongue Ring4:0413Barrin’ You Bitches3:3714Whatcha Know4:1815Act Like You Know Me (Point ’Em Out)4:0916Take a Bump2:2517Touched Wit It4:0918M.E.M.P.H.I.S.4:5119Just Anotha Crazy Click3:5720Who Run It4:0921Put Ya Signs4:1322What’s Next (outro)1:53 (2000) and Most Known Unknown (2005), with the latter featuring their hit single "Stay Fly×Stay Fly5 July 2005 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Stay Fly3:582Stay Fly (instrumental)3:523Stay Fly3:584Stay Fly (clean a cappella)3:58". In 2006, the group won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 78th Academy Awards for their song "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp" from the film Hustle & Flow. The group's latest studio album, Last 2 Walk×Last 2 Walk24 June 2008 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks1Intro1:072I Told ’em3:213Trap Boom3:084Playstation4:045I Got3:476I’d Rather4:477That’s Right2:568Corner Man3:079Weed, Blow, Pills3:2910DSX Talk0:4411Hood Star3:0912Get Ya Rob3:4613On Some Chrome4:1314Rollin’3:3715Click Bang3:3616My Own Way3:3117Dirty Bitch3:2618First 484:3419Outro3:1720Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body) (intro)0:1621Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body)4:1122My Own Way (remix)3:34, was released in 2008. Three 6 Mafia's worldwide album sales stand at 5.5 million as of 2016.

1988–1990: Origins

Three 6 Mafia's founding members became musicians at young ages. In 1988, DJ Paul, at age 11, was taking piano lessons, and his half-brother, Lord Infamous, age 15, was a singer practicing bass and electric guitar. The two would compose songs together, with Paul playing piano and drums while Infamous played bass, guitar and sang.
At the same time, in North Memphis, Tennessee, Juicy J, at age 13, was learning how to DJ as well as rap. He had initially wanted to be a singer, but in the late 1980s and early 1990s he fell in love with the gangsta rap style, and he, like his future founding group members across town, wanted to make music like popular artists at the time such as N.W.A and Geto Boys.
In 1989, DJ Paul and Lord Infamous formed the duo "Da Serial Killaz". It was at this time they distributed their own mixtapes of popular songs at school, and Lord Infamous had started rapping with his signature triple time flow. Juicy J was also creating his own mixes by this time but was not putting his raps on tapes just yet.

1991–1992: The beginning

By 1991, DJ Paul had already begun to make a name for himself in the local hip-hop scene through DJing at local clubs, such as Club 380 Beale, where he got his first opportunity to perform. His mixtapes, which were gradually evolving to include more and more original content of "Da Serial Killaz", also helped spread word of his talents. At the time, the hip-hop scene in Memphis had not taken a fully fledged form yet, but early works by artists such as DJ Spanish Fly and DJ Squeeky were hinting at what was to come. Meanwhile, Lord Infamous was still rapping and evolving his lyrical style. In North Memphis, Juicy J was slowly building a name for himself as well, now that he was making his own songs and distributing them with his mixtapes, as well as DJing at local clubs with his mentor.
That same year, DJ Paul and Juicy J first crossed paths after Juicy sought out Paul in 1991 for help making beats. The two quickly grew fond of each-other's musical styles and the two subsequently teamed up with Lord Infamous to form the group "The Backyard Posse". DJ Paul and Lord Infamous still continued work as "Da Serial Killaz" by themselves, and in 1992 released the first legitimate original recording to come out of the eventual Three 6 Mafia camp, "Portrait of a Serial Killa". Featuring dark beats by Paul and horrorcore-styled lyrics from Lord Infamous and DJ Paul, this tape is recognized in its raw form as a pioneering work of horrorcore hip-hop. Juicy J in the meantime released his debut hard copy mixtape, Volume 5, that same year, as well as his seminal track in its original form, "Slob on My Knob".

1993–1996: Debut, Mystic Stylez and Chapter 1: The End

The first notable release from members of the group that dropped in 1993 was DJ Paul and Lord Infamous's Come With Me to Hell, which featured original forms of future Three 6 Mafia hits such as "Tear da Club Up" and "Porno Movie". Paul's "DJ Paul Volume 12" mixtape was also released at this time. That same year, while recording music for "The Backyard Posse", Lord Infamous rapped a line referring to his crew as the "Triple Six Mafia". The group later adopted the name, seeing that the name more closely matched the bleak and dark imagery of their music.
Juicy J had yet to release a notable work of his own at this point, but in 1994 that would change with Vol. 9: It's On and Vol. 10: Chronicles of the Juice Manne. Similar to Paul and Infamous's works the previous year, these tapes featured what would turn out to be some of the framework of future hit songs.
Also in 1994, the group added its fourth official member, rapper Koopsta Knicca (Robert Cooper Phillips). Following the addition, the group released their first unified release with the mixtape Smoked Out, Loced Out×Smoked Out, Loced Out1994 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Triple 6 Hotline0:542Victim of a Driveby3:493Smoked Out, Loced Out3:454Interlude0:485Beat Hoes Down4:196Now I'm High5:447Triple 6 Hotline, Part 20:268Niggaz Ain't Barrin Dat4:119Stash Pot5:0410Victim of This Hit7:0111Pimpin & Robbin3:4512Fuck All Dem Hoes4:0513Krank Dis Bitch Up5:0414Outro2:3915Flaugin Azz Nigga3:4416Squeeze My Nuts Mix3:2817Triple 6 Hotline, Part 30:18, which featured fellow budding local rappers Gangsta Blac, Kingpin Skinny Pimp, Lil Fly, 211, K-9, Lil Glock and S.O.G. That same year, Koopsta Knicca recorded the original version of what would become his first solo album, Da Devil's Playground.
1994 also marked a significant milestone for the group, when Paul and Juicy, alongside local entrepreneur Nick Scarfo, formed Prophet, their first imprint. Through the label, the Prophet Posse was created, which was a looser collective that consisted of several local Memphis rappers who associated closely with Paul and Juicy J and ultimately signed onto the label, but were not members of Triple 6 Mafia. It was at this time when Juicy J's older brother, Project Pat, emerged with his debut, Solo Tape.

In 1995 the group filled out when it officially added North Memphis rapper Crunchy Black and Whitehaven, Memphis rapper Gangsta Boo. It was later this year when the group shifted its name to Three 6 Mafia and released its debut album Mystic Stylez×Mystic Stylez30 May 1995 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Da Beginning1:142Break da Law “95”4:223Da Summa4:444Live by Yo Rep (Bone Dis)5:135In da Game4:046Now I’m Hi, Pt. 35:117Long Nite4:358Sweet Robbery, Pt. 24:469Back Against da Wall4:5110Fuckin Wit Dis Click6:1811All or Nothin4:5412Gotta Touch ’Em, Pt. 24:5513Tear da Club Up4:3514Big Bizness (screwed)2:1815Mystic Styles6:2416Porno Movie5:25 on Prophet. The LP earned them widespread recognition and attention locally and in the southern underground hip-hop scene, and as a result, Prophet landed a distribution deal with Select-O-Hits. The group's first song on the radio was "Da Summa".
In 1996, the group released Chapter 1: The End, its first non-lo-fi music record. At the helm of Prophet, DJ Paul and Juicy J would produce and release a handful of albums of some of the label's other acts, including Gangsta Blac's Can It Be? and Kingpin Skinny Pimp's King of Da Playaz Ball in 1996. At the end of 1996, however, DJ Paul and Juicy J had a falling-out with Nick Scarfo, and a lengthy legal lawsuit ensued between the two sides over Prophet. It was at this time when Paul and Juicy laid the framework for Hypnotize Minds, their own independent label, which would become the powerhouse for Three 6 Mafia’s music. In 1997, Three 6 Mafia and Hypnotize Minds signed a distribution deal with Relativity.

1997–2000: Chapter 2: World Domination and When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6 Sixty 1

In 1997, after forming Hypnotize Minds, the group signed a deal with Sony and began working on what would become its first RIAA certified album, Chapter 2: World Domination×Chapter 2: World Domination1 November 1997 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 24 tracks · 2 discsDisc 1A1We Are Waiting1:04A2Intro0:15A3Will Blast1:30A4Hit a Muthafucka3:58A5Are U Ready 4 Us4:50A6Prophet Posse4:13A7Motivated3:40B1I Ain’t Cha Friend4:56B2Watcha Do3:30B3Spill My Blood3:59B4Who Got Dem 9’s3:10B5Gunclaps3:15B63–6 in the Morning2:51Disc 2C1Tear da Club Up ’973:45C2Late Nite Tip4:46C3Bodyparts 24:18C4Flashes2:44C5Neighborhood Hoe1:55C6N 2 Deep3:59D1Anyone Out There3:12D2Land of the Lost3:55D3Weed Is Got Me High3:06D4Tear da Club Up (DJ Herb’s Crunk & Tear It Up remix) (radio edit)4:50D5Late Night Tip (DJ Herb’s Ride Out Late Nite remix) (radio edit)4:42. Polishing up their darker sound for a more palatable aesthetic while still retaining their authenticity, Chapter 2: World Domination went on to reach RIAA Gold status, selling over 800,000 copies in the United States. The LP peaked at no. 40 on the Billboard Top 200. The LP included the club anthem "Tear Da Club Up". At this point in the group's evolution, DJ Paul and Juicy J began expanding their brand and focused on developing Hypnotize Minds. Along with Three 6 Mafia, they brought along several artists from Prophet in their transition to Hypnotize Minds, creating the Hypnotize Camp Posse, the successor of the Prophet Posse. Over the next few years, the new label would put out and the Prophet Posse's Body Parts, The Kaze (trio of Project Pat, M.C. Mack and Scan Man)'s Kamakazie: Timez Up, Indo G's, Angel Dust, Gangsta Boo's Enquiring Minds, Project Pat's Ghetty Green, and Hypnotize Camp Posse's self titled album (Three 6 Mafia Presents: Hypnotize Camp Posse×Hypnotize Camp Posse2000 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Rinky Dink Records (skit)0:522We Bout to Ride5:563Drive By3:364Azz & Tittiez5:355Die a Soldier5:286We Ain't Playin4:087Fire It on Up4:198Big Mouth, Big Talk3:579What's Going On0:5510Dick Suckin Hoes4:2611Don't Make Me Kill4:2512Don't Trust 'em4:2613Who Run It4:4414Project Hoes3:5515Da First Date5:0616Hoes Can Be Like Niggaz3:0517Outro (skit)3:35).
In 1999, Tear da Club up Thugz, a subgroup of Three 6 Mafia members in the founding trio of DJ Paul, Juicy J, and Lord Infamous, released CrazyNDaLazDayz, which is recognized as one of if not the first album made entirely in the "crunk" production style. The album included Juicy J's solo "Slob on My Knob" and went on to be certified Gold by the RIAA. CrazyNDaLazDayz peaked at no. 18 on the Billboard Top 200 music chart. Later that year, group member Koopsta Knicca's debut album, Da Devil's Playground: Underground Solo, was released independently, although like all the Hypnotize Minds albums, was still produced by DJ Paul and Juicy J.
In 2000, the group soared to new heights in the crunk music genre, carried by their most successful LP, When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1×When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 113 June 2000 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks1Intro0:57244 Killers (interlude)1:423Sippin’ on Some Syrup4:224Weak Azz Bitch2:475Just Like Us4:146I’m So Hi3:577Mafia Niggaz3:058Hook Up W/ Hoes (skit)0:399From da Back4:0210Fuck Y’all Hoes3:5911Where da Cheese At2:2912Tongue Ring4:0413Barrin’ You Bitches3:3714Whatcha Know4:1815Act Like You Know Me (Point ’Em Out)4:0916Take a Bump2:2517Touched Wit It4:0918M.E.M.P.H.I.S.4:5119Just Anotha Crazy Click3:5720Who Run It4:0921Put Ya Signs4:1322What’s Next (outro)1:53. The album went on to achieve RIAA Platinum status, a first for the group, and spawned the single "Sippin' on Some Syrup", which featured UGK.
2000 represented a troubling year for the group. The Prophet Posse, which to this point had still been working closely with Hypnotize Minds in an auxiliary-type relationship, disbanded, and its members who had not made the transition to Hypnotize Minds ceased making music with Three 6 Mafia and the rest of Hypnotize Minds. Moreover, group member Koopsta Knicca was forced out of Three 6 Mafia due to ongoing legal issues, which culminated with his 2000 robbery incarceration, which voided his contract with Sony and forbade him from recording with the group. Koopsta Knicca was notably absent from the album cover of When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6 Sixty 1 and music videos that accompanied tracks on the album because of his incarceration, despite still being a member of the group at the time of the album's release.

2001–2004: Choices and Da Unbreakables

Despite losing Koopsta Knicca from its ranks and cutting ties officially with Prophet, Three 6 Mafia and Hypnotize Minds were still successful. In 2001, the group released the soundtrack to the DJ Paul, Juicy J and Hypnotize Minds-produced film Choices. The soundtrack was released as a studio album and (Choices: The Album×Choices: The Album30 October 2001 · Album · SoundtrackSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 21 tracks12‐Way Freak4:572The Restaurant Scene (skit)0:403Mafia5:204Baby Mama4:445Gangsta Niggaz4:346Wona Get Some I Got Some4:2771st Crime Scene (skit)0:418O.V.4:139U Got da Game Wrong3:4110We Shootin’ 1st4:4511Dis Bitch, Dat Hoe…4:2212Pass Me3:3913Big Pats Warehouse (skit)0:3114They Don’t Fuck Wit U4:0515Slang & Serve4:1816War Wit Us3:4617Mean Mug4:4918How It Went Down (skit)0:2219I Ain’t Goin’ (A Hustler’s Theme)4:0820Ridin’ on Chrome2:5921Talkin’0:52), kept the Three 6 name and Hypnotize Minds brand growing. Moreover, Juicy and Paul successfully positioned Project Pat to become the new star of Hypnotize Minds, with his 2001 LP Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin hitting #4 on the Billboard 200 and being certified Gold by the RIAA, being thus far the only Three 6 Mafia affiliate or member to release an RIAA-certified solo album.
2001 also saw Gangsta Boo leave Three 6 Mafia following the release of Choices: The Album, citing a variety of reasons including group dynamics, religion, alleged financial mismanagement and her desire to pursue a solo career.
In 2002, Juicy J and DJ Paul re-released their remastered and dramatically updated "Vol. 10" and "Vol. 16" albums respectively as Chronicles of the Juice Man, and Underground Volume 16: For da Summa. These LPs represented their solo studio LP debuts and the last piece of some of their older sound, effectively giving way to full on crunk.
In 2003, the latest incarnation of Three 6 Mafia, DJ Paul, Juicy J, Lord Infamous, and Crunchy Black, released their album Da Unbreakables×Da Unbreakables24 June 2003 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1They Bout to Find Yo Body1:562Fuck That Shit4:013Wolf Wolf3:444Testin My Gangsta4:345Bin Laden5:006Ridin Spinners4:107Try Somethin3:578Money Didn’t Change Me3:119Ghetto Chick3:2710Shake Dat Jelly3:0411Let’s Start a Riot4:4712Rainbow Colors4:3113Like a Pimp (remix)3:5314Beatem to da Floor2:3315Put Cha D. in Her Mouth3:1816Mosh Pit3:3817You Scared, Part II4:1718Dangerous Posse3:4419Outro…2:17. Spawning the hit single "Ridin' Spinners", the album was a success, with the RIAA certifying it Gold by the RIAA. In 2004, Three 6 Mafia began to mobilize for what would become their domination over hip-hop. They were working on a sequel to their 2001 film, as well as another studio LP. But DJ Paul, Juicy J, and Hypnotize Minds's Frayser Boy, were about to ink a deal with the directors of Hustle & Flow to write the original track ‘It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp‘ for the film that would ultimately result in the group winning an Oscar.

2005–2006: Academy Award, Choices II: The Setup and Most Known Unknown

During 2005, many members had left including Lord Infamous, and with that even more affiliates, but other acts such as Project Pat and Frayser Boy cropped up as successes to keep the camp moving forward. This moving forward reached its zenith in 2005–06 for Three 6 Mafia, wherein they became superstars of hip-hop. Firstly, they dropped the sequel to their Choices movie, Choices II: The Setup, and a studio album to go along with it that sold 400,000 copies. Secondly, they released their most commercially successful LP, Most Known Unknown×Most Known Unknown27 September 2005 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 21 tracks1Most Known Unknown Hits1:272Stay Fly3:563Roll With It3:024Don’t Violate3:495Swervin’3:356Knock tha Black Off Yo ***4:207Poppin’ My Collar2:568Hard Hittaz4:129Side 2 Side3:3810Half on a Sack3:2611Skit0:2612When I Pull Up at the Club4:3013Pussy Got Ya Hooked4:2014Don’t Cha Get Mad3:2315Body Parts 34:0716Stay Fly (Still Fly remix)3:5117Outro2:4318Got It 4 Sale4:3119Let’s Plan a Robbery3:0620Dancin’ on a Pole3:4821Ain’t Got Time for Gamez4:04, which charted at #3 on the Top 200 and went on to sell 1,600,000 copies in the United States, becoming their second album to go Platinum in America and their best selling overall. The LP featured 3 successful singles: "Side 2 Side", "Poppin' My Collar×Poppin' My Collar28 March 2006 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Poppin' My Collar (Cracktracks remix) (clean)4:172Poppin' My Collar (Cracktracks remix)4:173Poppin' My Collar (Swizz Beats remix)5:224Poppin' My Collar (Cracktracks instrumental remix)4:16", and "Stay Fly×Stay Fly5 July 2005 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Stay Fly3:582Stay Fly (instrumental)3:523Stay Fly3:584Stay Fly (clean a cappella)3:58". "Stay Fly" is Three 6 Mafia's most commercially successful song, being certified Double Platinum in America. The song featured 8Ball & MJG and Young Buck. The song also peaked at no. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 music charts. "Poppin' My Collar", the remix which featured Project Pat, was certified Platinum by the RIAA and peaked at no. 21 on the Billboard Top 100. Also in 2005, they released an additional film, the comedy, Clean Up Men.
Three 6 Mafia's rise came to a head in 2006 when they became the first hip-hop group to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song with "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp" (which they co-wrote with Frayser Boy) as one of the theme songs for Hustle & Flow. They were also the first hip-hop group to perform at the ceremony, which they did with Hustle & Flow actress Taraji P. Henson reprising her chorus. Right before presenter Queen Latifah announced that they had won, she chuckled and sang the refrain from the song. The energy from DJ Paul, Juicy J, Crunchy Black, and Frayser Boy's on-stage presence and acceptance speech was infectious, causing that year's Oscar host Jon Stewart to quip "How come they're the most excited people here tonight? Why is that? They're thrilled! They're thrilled!.... That's how you accept an Oscar!"

2007–2011: Last 2 Walk

On June 7, 2007, Sony announced the departure of Crunchy Black. He stated his primary reason for departing was to make a solo LP that DJ Paul and Juicy J had allegedly put off for years, as much of the material that he'd wanted on his solo LP was used for Most Known Unknown×Most Known Unknown27 September 2005 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 21 tracks1Most Known Unknown Hits1:272Stay Fly3:563Roll With It3:024Don’t Violate3:495Swervin’3:356Knock tha Black Off Yo ***4:207Poppin’ My Collar2:568Hard Hittaz4:129Side 2 Side3:3810Half on a Sack3:2611Skit0:2612When I Pull Up at the Club4:3013Pussy Got Ya Hooked4:2014Don’t Cha Get Mad3:2315Body Parts 34:0716Stay Fly (Still Fly remix)3:5117Outro2:4318Got It 4 Sale4:3119Let’s Plan a Robbery3:0620Dancin’ on a Pole3:4821Ain’t Got Time for Gamez4:04. Crunchy also later cited frustration over alleged financial mismanagement. Thereafter Three 6 Mafia consisted officially of DJ Paul and Juicy J.

The pair was featured along with Timbaland on fellow Memphis artist, Justin Timberlake's single, "Chop Me Up" from his 2007 album FutureSex/LoveSounds.
In 2007, DJ Paul and Juicy J landed their own reality television show, Adventures in Hollyhood, on MTV. The show focused on the pair balancing fun and studio work after their Oscar win. Project Pat, along with friends Big Triece and Computer, co-starred. The show premiered on April 5, 2007, on MTV and aired for one season.
Three 6 Mafia released their 9th studio album Last 2 Walk×Last 2 Walk24 June 2008 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks1Intro1:072I Told ’em3:213Trap Boom3:084Playstation4:045I Got3:476I’d Rather4:477That’s Right2:568Corner Man3:079Weed, Blow, Pills3:2910DSX Talk0:4411Hood Star3:0912Get Ya Rob3:4613On Some Chrome4:1314Rollin’3:3715Click Bang3:3616My Own Way3:3117Dirty Bitch3:2618First 484:3419Outro3:1720Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body) (intro)0:1621Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body)4:1122My Own Way (remix)3:34 on June 24, 2008, after multiple delays. The album featured collaborations with Akon, Good Charlotte, Lyfe Jennings, UGK, and 8Ball & MJG among others.
After leaving Three 6 Mafia in 2005, Lord Infamous was featured on DJ Paul's second solo album Scale-A-Ton, which was released on May 5, 2009. Lord Infamous was featured on eight tracks. Juicy J's second solo album Hustle Till I Die was released on June 16, 2009. The LP featured Project Pat and other rappers such as V-Slash, Gucci Mane, Webbie and Gorilla Zoe.
In 2011, DJ Paul and Juicy J starred in VH1's cooking show Famous Food together with 7 other celebrities and eventually won 1st place. In an interview published in July 2011, DJ Paul cleared up some controversy from the show, involving Ashley Alexandra Dupré, best known from the Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal.
In December 2011, Juicy J confirmed that he was the newest member of Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang – as an A&R and co-owner.

2012–2018: Hiatus, Da Mafia 6ix, and independent endeavors

By the end of 2012, Juicy J had moved completely away from Three 6 Mafia work to focus on his solo career. During this time he released a number of solo mixtapes such as Rubba Band Business and Blue Dream & Lean. He also had begun frequently collaborating with Wiz Khalifa, appearing on a number of his mixtapes.
After a number of mixtapes, DJ Paul released his third solo studio album A Person of Interest on October 22, 2012. He announced that the album was a mix of gangsta rap and crunk music, with it also incorporating influences from dubstep and electronic dance music. The album featured past collaborator Gucci Mane, and also came with a bonus DVD including a self-titled short movie, music videos and behind the scenes footage.
On November 26, 2013, DJ Paul released Volume 16: The Original Masters, a remaster of his 1994 mixtape 4 Da Summer of '94, on iTunes. After releasing a series of singles, including the chart topping "Bandz a Make Her Dance" which featured 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne, Juicy J released his third solo studio album Stay Trippy under Taylor Gang Records, Kemosabe Records and Columbia Records on August 27, 2013. Juicy J has since stated that he would still "love to" participate in a Three 6 Mafia album in the future.
In September 2010, former Three 6 Mafia members Lord Infamous, Koopsta Knicca, and Gangsta Boo performed together at a concert in Denver, Colorado, presented by local promoter 50/50innertainment. At the time, the group’s core members had been separated for several years due to label disputes, incarcerations, and internal issues. While DJ Paul later masterminded the formation of Da Mafia 6ix (initially presented as a new project rather than a Three 6 Mafia reunion) and the release of their debut mixtape 6ix Commandments in late 2013, the 2010 Denver performance was one of the earlier documented instances of these three members appearing together onstage following the post-Hypnotize Minds period.
In 2013, it was announced that five of the six original members of Three 6 Mafia – DJ Paul, Crunchy Black, Koopsta Knicca, Lord Infamous and Gangsta Boo – were reuniting to form a new group, to be known as Da Mafia 6ix, with plans to release an album which was scheduled for a March 2014 release. At the time of the formation of Da Mafia 6ix, DJ Paul clarified that the collective was "not a Three 6 Mafia reunion" and described it as "a totally new group". The new group opted for a style reflecting their roots, focusing largely on the horrorcore foundations of their early works. Recording began in Las Vegas in late 2013. On November 12, 2013, Da Mafia 6ix released their first mixtape 6iX Commandments. The tape was almost entirely produced by DJ Paul and featured 8Ball & MJG, Krayzie Bone, Bizzy Bone, SpaceGhostPurrp and old HCP affiliates Kingpin 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". The mixtape also received a retail release and debuted at number 34 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The group is managed by DJ Paul's management team, TBA Worldwide.
On December 20, 2013, Lord Infamous died of a heart attack at home in Memphis.
Gangsta Boo would leave Da Mafia 6ix in May 2014. DJ Paul explained it saying, "It was what we thought was going to be best for everybody. It just happened. Nobody forced nobody. It was a gut feeling." The reunited group's debut album, Watch What U Wish..., featured the three remaining members of the group as well as Lord Infamous, who appeared on a handful of tracks through several verses he had recorded prior to his death. The album was released on March 17, 2015. A month later, Crunchy Black was arrested for drug possession in Las Vegas. He had an outstanding arrest warrant stemming from a domestic violence charge and was sentenced to a total of 7 months in prison.
On October 9, 2015, Koopsta Knicca died after several days in urgent care following a stroke and intracranial aneurysm.

2019–present: Reunion performances and tour

In August 2019, group leaders DJ Paul and Juicy J announced they would soon be reviving Three 6 Mafia and reuniting for performances together for the first time in several years. The slate of performances kicked off with a show on October 12, 2019 at the Landers Center in the Memphis metropolitan area, where the group hails from. The performance featured many of the group's biggest hits and included the other two living members of the original group, Crunchy Black and Gangsta Boo, as well as three fellow Hypnotize Camp Posse members who were so synonymous with the group that they were often incorrectly or unofficially labeled as members, Project Pat and La Chat. The series of performances, mostly taking place in the Southeastern United States, continued into 2020, and were successful to the point where DJ Paul and Juicy announced on February 12 an organized official reunion tour at locations across the United States would begin the following month. In April, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the remainder of the tour.
The reunion performances and subsequent tour have further fueled speculation that Three 6 Mafia may come out with new music or ultimately a tenth studio album, but no timetable has been revealed.
On December 2, 2021, Three 6 Mafia competed in a Verzuz battle with longtime rival group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. DJ Paul, Juicy J, Crunchy Black, and Gangsta Boo all took part as the living representatives of the Mafia, as did all five members of Bone Thugs. Juicy J and Bizzy Bone had a verbal altercation during the event which resulted in Bizzy throwing a bottle at Juicy J and being briefly escorted off stage, before returning and apologizing to continue the show without incident. The event was highly acclaimed as one of the series' best events to date, seen as more of a celebration of old-school hip-hop than a fight for supremacy.
Gangsta Boo was found dead at her mother's home on January 1, 2023, at the age of 43. DJ Paul confirmed her death via Instagram. Her cause of death was later revealed to be an accidental overdose with fentanyl, cocaine and alcohol found in her system.

Members

DJ Paul (1991–2012, 2019–present)
Juicy J (1991–2012, 2019–present)
Crunchy Black (1991–2006, 2019–present)

Past members

Lord Infamous (1991–2005; died 2013)
Koopsta Knicca (1994–2000; died 2015)
Gangsta Boo (1994–2001, 2019–2023; died 2023)

Posse

Three 6 Mafia never expanded beyond the six original members of the group, but it had an expanded version, known initially as Prophet Posse and later as Hypnotize Camp Posse (in reference to the Three 6 Mafia-created and sponsored labels, Prophet then Hypnotize Minds).
Prophet Posse and Hypnotize Camp Posse are known for their posse songs, which accompanied nearly every album release by Prophet and Hypnotize Minds from 1995 through 2005.

Project Pat (1994–2012)
La Chat (1994–1995, 1999–2003)
Frayser Boy (2001–2008)
Lil Wyte (2002–2012)
The Kaze (1994–2000)
M.C. Mack (1994–2000)
Scan Man (1994–2000)
K-Rock (1994–1998; died 2018)
T-Rock (1997–2001)
Lil Pat (1994–2000)
M-Child (1996–1999)
Chrome (2005–2008)
Nigga Creep (1997–2000; died 2000)
Kingpin Skinny Pimp (1994–1996)
Indo G (1996–1998)
Gangsta Blac (1994–1996)
Lil Fly (1994–1995)
Mr. Del (1999–2000)
Droopy Drew Dog (1997–1998)
Grandaddy Souf (2005–2006)
Yung D (2008–2009)

Feature films

Choices: The Movie (2001)
Choices II: The Setup (2005)
Clean Up Men (2005)

Film appearances

Hustle & Flow (2005) – "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp" is the official song of the movie
Jackass 2 (2006) – they made an appearance in the movie, where they pay 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) – "Azz and Tittiez" is on the official soundtrack to the movie

Television series

Adventures in Hollyhood (2007)
Famous Food (2011)

Television appearances

Jackass (2002)
Rap City (2003)
Wildboyz Deep South (2005) – episode 307
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 "What about Bob?"
My Super Sweet 16 (2006) Three 6 Mafia was the musical performance at the party
MTV Cribs (2006) – season 12, episode 7
1 vs. 100 (2006)
Criss Angel Mindfreak (2006) – episode: "Celebrity Séance"
Rob & Big (2006) – Three 6 Mafia rapped at a party on episode 1 of season 1
Punk'd (2006) – Juicy J sets up DJ Paul
MTV Spring Break (2007)
Wrestling Society X (2007) – episode 2
Wild 'n Out (2007) – Spring Break edition
The Andy Milonakis Show (2007)
Mind of Mencia (2007) – season 3, episode 2
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)×Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body)2008 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body) (clean)4:142Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body) (instrumental)4:143Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body) (explicit)4:14" on the CBS drama
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2008) – Juicy J and DJ Paul perform "Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body)"
Paris Hilton's My New BFF (2009) – season 2, 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 4
Verzuz (2021) – battled Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

DVDs

Choices: The Movie (2001)
Choices II: The Setup (2005)
Clean Up Men (2005)
Ultimate Video Collection (2006)

Musical inclusions in 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)" (Santigold featuring Project Pat)
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011, WWE '12, WWE '13, WWE 2K14, WWE 2K15, WWE 2K16, WWE 2K17, and WWE 2K18 for Mark Henry's theme music – "Some Bodies Gonna Get It"