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Three 6 Mafia (formerly known as '''Triple Six Mafia''') is an American Hip Hop group, consisting of two members. The group was formed in 1991 by DJ Paul , Lord Infamous , and Juicy J . They were later joined by fellow Memphis rappers Koopsta Knicca , Gangsta Boo , and Crunchy Black . The group released many Mixtapes by members and non members on Prophet Entertainment before releasing their debut album '' Mystic Stylez ''. Their early sound was a mix of both Crunk and Horrorcore , influenced by N.W.A. as well as various Southern Hip Hop rappers. They are the first hip hop group to win an Academy Award . HISTORY The group started in 1991 in Memphis with three members: DJ Paul (Paul Beauregard), Juicy J (Jordan Houston), and Lord Infamous (Ricky Dunigan). The original name for the hip hop group was Backyard Posse, followed shortly after by '''Triple Six Mafia'''. The group formed through release of many EPs from their own record company with Nicky Scarfo, Prophet Entertainment , later launching their own label, Hypnotize Minds Records; during their early career, they also propelled the careers of several other rappers. At this point in the group's evolution, having signed to a major label and having scored an admirable hit single, group leaders ''). Follow-ups and lineup changes 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 Sizzurp" in a few non-Southern markets, the album debuted at number six on the ''Billboard'' 200 . It received little MTV airplay and little national radio rotation. This album also featured a much anticipated collaboration with underground favorites Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid . Three 6 even wore ICP merchandise in the video for "Sippin' On Some Sizzurp". This era also saw the departure of two members. In 2000, Koopsta Knicca left due to a monetary dispute; In 2001, Gangsta "Lady" Boo left to pursue a solo career, citing religious differences. The group later began work on the direct-to-video film, ''Choices: The Movie'', and affiliated solo albums. ''Choices'' and its accompanying soundtrack ('''' 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 vacation." 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''. Academy Award win On " from the '' Hustle & Flow '' soundtrack. This marked only the second time a rap act has won an Academy Award, following Eminem in 2002. Three 6 Mafia Wins Oscar Kim Osorio and Ivory M. Jones, March 06, 2006 The : 0." However, Scorsese did win the next year. Recent events 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. DJ Paul, Juicy J and Lord Infamous then becoming the only members of the Three 6 Mafia. On May 22, 2007, Lord Infamous left to work with his new record label, Black Rain Entertainment with Memphis Rapper II Tone. The two producers of the group now have their own reality show, Adventures In Hollyhood , on MTV . The show will focus on what it's like to be a member of the Three 6 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. Offical MTV site for ''Adventures in Hollyhood'' In December of 2006, Three 6 Mafia contributed the song "It's A Fight" to the soundtrack of the movie '' Rocky Balboa ''. Three 6 Mafia are currently working on their newest album, '' Last 2 Walk '', which is due for release on December 4 2007 . Triple 6 Mafia official site. No direct link to information due to Flash site CONTROVERSY Satanic accusations Three 6 Mafia's name has been a topic of controversy because of some people's belief that their name refers to the Number Of The Beast (supported by their former name "Triple Six Mafia"). 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"). In their first full length Horrorcore LP, Mystic Stylez, the groups references to the occult reached its climax. The most notable example of the groups occult references can be found in the song "Fuckin Wit Dis Click." Lord Infamous states "No I'm not a Christian," and DJ Paul's verse is filled with blatant Satanic lyrics, such as "I'm on a cross, Lucifer, please cut me free," and "A mind for murder but the barrel couldn't tell you half about this antichrist; Look into my eyes tell me what you see; The demonic man about scarecrowism; Saints can you feel me." Also on the track "Murder On My Mind," the distorted voice of DJ Paul identifies "Lucifer" as "the leader of the Three 6 Mafia." However the group has never claimed to worship Satan , and in their acceptance speech at the 2006 Academy Awards group member Juicy J thanked Jesus for their nomination and win for Best Song in a motion picture. Three 6 Mafia: Award Tour The name's meaning is attributed to the fact that "it started with three people in the group, ended up with six; Three 6 Mafia" (even though their original name was Triple Six Mafia) according to an interview with Juicy J.[http://www.memphisrap.com/community/article655.html Interviews: Three 6 Mafia, EightBall, MJG & Yo Gotti - True Hustlers of Memphis memphisrap.com, July 29, 2005 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" or "You're My God, You're My King, Lucifer." However, the track was actually derived from the classic song "Tell Me Why Has Our Love Turned Cold" by Funk / Soul singer, Willie Hutch . The actual track says "You're my pride, you're my dream, you're my Dar-ling." Juicy J and DJ Paul recently conducted an interview with Chris Loos and they were once again asked about the "Stay Fly" song and Juicy J goes on to say that they aren't devil worshipers and that people should stop making that accusation. He even mentions how his father is a preacher, "Father Houston", and that if he ever did worship Satan, his dad would kill him. In an issue of ''Entertainment Weekly'', Juicy J defended the group, saying that the group's name was decided for entertainment purposes: "Back then in the '90s, nobody knew who we were. We had to get ourselves out there and be known; put something that would draw attention, and it did." Dispute with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony On the 1995 single ''Live By Yo Rep (B.O.N.E. Dis)'', Three 6 Mafia accused 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" and "U Ain't Bone" on their album, '' The Art Of War '', that speaks critically of Three Six. Bone continued to insult them on the song " Notorious Thugs ", with The Notorious B.I.G. .There is also a song called Lay It Down with Kingpin Skinny Pimp , Lord Infamous , and Koopsta Knicca where Kingpin Skinny Pimp says "So fuck you bone biting our fuckin' style you hoes gonna get kidnapped, you bitches lay it down". Disputes with former members 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. DISCOGRAPHY See Also: Three 6 Mafia discography Albums
FILMOGRAPHY Feature films
Television series
DVDs
Original television series
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