3 Six Mafia

Three 6 Mafia (formerly Triple Six Mafia and before that Backyard Posse) is an Academy Award-winning, rap group originating from Memphis, Tennessee. Formed in 1991 by DJ Paul, Lord Infamous The Scarecrow, 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).

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 styles which initially featured eerie, slow, dark, menacing bass driven synth beats with equally gritty horror themed 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.

The constant line up changes and relatively drastic change in style has rubbed some fans the wrong way. When four of the six members left they took small portions of the fanbase with them. Now face with the prospects that those members will likely never return (thanks to the way too personal disses flying back and forth) the base shattered into about a dozen pieces. To say nothing of the fact that their own popular artists left their own label (Hypnotized Minds) which caused even more division. DJ Paul and Juicy J have managed to keep the remaining core fans around mostly due to the fact that their beat making is for the most part still sharp as it was under the original line up, as that was one of the group's major draw. Nonetheless, they have cultivated a sizable and diverse cult following that has only increased since their Oscar win.

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Discography

 * 1994: Smoked Out, Loced Out
 * 1995: Mystic Stylez
 * 1995: Live by Yo Rep
 * 1996: Chapter 1: The End
 * 1997: Chapter 2: World Domination
 * 2000: When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1
 * 2003: Da Unbreakables
 * 2005: Most Known Unknown
 * 2008: Last 2 Walk
 * 2010: Laws of Power

Compilations

 * 1999: Underground Vol. 1: (1991-1994)
 * 1999: Underground Vol. 2: Club Memphis
 * 2000: Underground Vol. 3: Kings of Memphis
 * 2001: Choices: The Album
 * 2005: Choices II: The Setup
 * 2005: Most Known Hits
 * 2006: Smoked Out Music Greatest Hits
 * 2007: Prophet's Greatest Hits

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They provide examples of:

 * Dirty Rap: Their lyrics are very pornographic, and misogynistic, even Gangsta Boo.
 * Follow the Leader/Spiritual Successor: Crime Mob...(without the dark occult content though)
 * For the Evulz: All their lyrics up until recently.
 * Gangsta Rap
 * Gorn: They have a song called Body Parts for crying out loud!
 * Horrorcore: Their earlier material..
 * Infant Immortality: Disgustingly subverted in their lyrics. Especially by Lord Infamous who seems disturbingly prone to this.
 * In Name Only: Fans think the group more or less disbanded, and think the duo should change their name to something else. As they don't resemble the old group anymore.
 * Not to mention that two people isn't much of a Mafia.
 * Lighter and Softer: Jarringly so...even from an objective point of view.
 * Ms. Fanservice: Gangsta Boo, not just physically, but more so lyrically. Her lyrics are very pornographic, even violently masochistic.
 * Number of the Beast: Their original name was Triple 6 Mafia. Of course they say it has nothing to do with Satanism… make of that what you will.
 * Refuge in Audacity: Most of their output…
 * Religion of Evil: According to some Moral Guardians. They brought it on themselves, though, with their Satanic lyrical content, with at least one song questioning God, and their name subtly looking like 666mafia. They of course deny this.
 * The Rival: To Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, unbeknownst to Bone apparently.
 * Signature Style: Their musical style initially featured eerie, slow, dark, menacing bass driven almost industrial synth beats with equally gritty horror themed lyrics. Like an evil precursor, if you will, to what became the Crunk sound.
 * Unknown Rival: To Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.
 * What Do You Mean Its Not Symbolic