The Triumvirate of Three 6 Mafia Members
Three 6 Mafia, a groundbreaking hip-hop group from Memphis, Tennessee, forged a new path in rap. Their unique blend of Southern hip-hop, crunk, and horrorcore has influenced countless artists, including purveyors of modern trap muzik. This blog post will delve into all the Three 6 Mafia members.
Explore Memphis rap further in our article Memphis Rap | The Groups and Rappers in the 80s and 90s
DJ Paul: The Maestro of Memphis
DJ Paul, born Paul Duane Beauregard, is one of the founding members of Three 6 Mafia. His musical journey began in the late 1980s when he started DJing in the Memphis club. His unique style of mixing and scratching quickly gained him a following, and it wasn’t long before he started producing his tracks.
In 1991, DJ Paul released his first mixtape, DJ Paul Volume 16: The Original Masters. This release began his prolific career as a producer and rapper. Listen to the rap tape below:
His distinctive production style, characterized by dark, eerie beats and heavy bass, became a defining feature of Three 6 Mafia’s sound. Listen to Koopsta Knicca – “Robbers”, a song featured on one of the best in Three 6 Mafia’s discography.
DJ Paul’s contributions to the group’s albums, such as Mystic Stylez and When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1, were instrumental in their success. His innovative production techniques and lyrical prowess have earned him a place among the greats of Southern hip-hop.
Explore Three 6 Mafia’s classic debut here.
Juicy J: The Versatile Virtuoso
Jordan Michael Houston, better known as Juicy J, is another founding member of Three 6 Mafia. Like DJ Paul, Juicy J began his career in the Memphis club scene, where he honed his skills as a DJ and rapper.
Juicy J’s versatility is one of his greatest strengths. Whether he’s producing a track, laying down a verse, or performing on stage, Juicy J brings unmatched energy and creativity. His contributions to albums like Chapter 2: World Domination, Da Unbreakables, and Most Known Unknown have helped solidify Three 6 Mafia’s place in hip-hop history. Learn more about the Most Known Unknown here.
In addition to his work with Three 6 Mafia, Juicy J has also enjoyed a successful solo career. His album Stay Trippy, which features the hit single “Bandz a Make Her Dance,” showcases his ability to create catchy hooks and memorable verses. Check out his classic mixtape, Rubba Band Business 2:
Explore Further: the greatest Three 6 Mafia songs ever.
Lord Infamous: The Dark Poet
Ricky T. Dunigan, known to fans as Lord Infamous, was a key member of Three 6 Mafia. His dark, horror-themed lyrics and rapid-fire flow set him apart from his peers and made him a fan favorite.
Lord Infamous began his career in the early 1990s, releasing several solo tapes before joining forces with DJ Paul and Juicy J to form Three 6 Mafia. His contributions to the group’s early albums, including Mystic Stylez and The End, are considered some of the best in their discography.
Lord Infamous’ solo album, Lord of Terror, further showcased his unique style. His lyrics, often dealing with themes of horror and the supernatural, coupled with his distinctive flow, made him one of the most unique voices in hip-hop. Listen to the classic album below:
Sadly, Lord Infamous passed away in 2013, but his legacy lives on. His contributions to Three 6 Mafia and the wider hip-hop community will not be forgotten.
DJ Paul, Juicy J, and Lord Infamous each brought their unique talents to Three 6 Mafia, helping to shape the group’s distinctive sound and style. Their individual contributions, from DJ Paul’s innovative production techniques to Juicy J’s infectious energy and Lord Infamous’s dark, poetic lyrics, have left a lasting impact on hip-hop. Their stories reveal the power of creativity, passion, and perseverance.
Expanding the Three 6 Mafia Members Family
The legacy of Three 6 Mafia extends beyond the foundational trio of DJ Paul, Juicy J, and Lord Infamous. The group’s dynamic was further enriched by adding three more members, Gangsta Boo, Koopsta Knicca, and Crunchy Black. Each brought their unique flair to the group, further diversifying their sound and solidifying their status as pioneers of Southern hip-hop.
Gangsta Boo: The First Lady of Three 6 Mafia
Lola Mitchell, known by her stage name Gangsta Boo, is a rapper from Memphis, Tennessee, who became the only female member of Three 6 Mafia. Her audacious lyrics and unapologetic style brought a fresh perspective to the group, earning her the title “The Queen of Memphis.”
Gangsta Boo’s journey with Three 6 Mafia began with their second studio album, Chapter 1: The End, where she debuted. Her distinctive voice and fearless delivery added a new layer to the group’s sound, making her an integral part of their success.
Her solo album, Enquiring Minds, released in 1998, was a commercial success and further established her as a formidable force in the male-dominated hip-hop world.
Gangsta Boo’s contributions to Three 6 Mafia and her solo work have paved the way for future female rappers, making her a true trailblazer. Her influence can be heard in the music of Megan Thee Stallion and Kari Faux. Listen to her BeatKing collaborative mixtape:
Koopsta Knicca: The Hypnotic Lyricist of Three 6 Mafia
Robert Cooper Phillips, known by his stage name Koopsta Knicca, was a key member of Three 6 Mafia. His unique style, characterized by his fast-paced flow and dark, horror-themed lyrics, made him a standout artist in the Memphis hip-hop scene and a vital part of the group’s dynamic.
Koopsta Knicca began his career in the early 1990s, releasing several solo tapes before joining forces with DJ Paul, Juicy J, and the rest of the Three 6 Mafia crew. His contributions to the group’s early albums, including Mystic Stylez and Chapter 2: World Domination, are considered some of the best in their discography.
His distinctive voice and lyrical style added a unique element to the group’s sound, further diversifying their music and enhancing their appeal. Koopsta Knicca’s lyrics, often dealing with themes of horror and the supernatural, coupled with his distinctive flow, made him one of the most unique voices in hip-hop.
In addition to his work with Three 6 Mafia, Koopsta Knicca also had a successful solo career. His album, Da Devil’s Playground, further showcased his unique style and solidified his status as a standout artist in the Southern hip-hop scene.
Sadly, Koopsta Knicca passed away in 2015, but his legacy lives on. His contributions to Three 6 Mafia and the wider hip-hop community will not be forgotten. Listen to his stone-cold classic release below:
Crunchy Black: The Dance Dynamo
Darnell Carlton, better known as Crunchy Black, is a rapper and dancer from Memphis, Tennessee. He joined Three 6 Mafia in 1995, bringing with him a unique style of dance that would become a signature element of the group’s live performances.
Crunchy Black’s energetic dance moves, often performed while wearing a mask, added a theatrical element to Three 6 Mafia’s shows, enhancing their stage presence and entertaining audiences. His dance style, known as “gangsta walking,” has its roots in Memphis club culture and has since become a recognized dance form in the hip-hop community.
In addition to his dancing, Crunchy Black also contributed to the group’s music. His distinctive voice and raw, streetwise lyrics can be heard on albums like When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1, and Most Known Unknown.
The contributions of Gangsta Boo and Crunchy Black to Three 6 Mafia cannot be overstated. Gangsta Boo’s fearless lyricism and Crunchy Black’s energetic performances added depth and diversity to the group’s sound and stage presence. Their unique talents, combined with those of DJ Paul, Juicy J, and Lord Infamous, created a dynamic that set Three 6 Mafia apart from their peers and cemented their place in hip-hop history.
The Extended Family of Three 6 Mafia Members: Project Pat
While Three 6 Mafia’s core members have played a significant role in shaping the group’s sound, other artists closely associated with the group have also left their mark. Project Pat is maybe the only person who meets the aforementioned criteria. Although not an official member, his contributions to the group’s music and the broader Memphis hip-hop scene is noteworthy.
Project Pat: The Affiliate Extraordinaire
Patrick Earl Houston, better known as Project Pat, is a rapper from Memphis and the older brother of Juicy J. While not an official member of Three 6 Mafia, his close association with the group has led many to consider him an honorary member.
Project Pat’s music career took off in the late 1990s when he released his debut album, Ghetty Green. His gritty lyrics and distinctive flow, combined with DJ Paul’s and Juicy J’s production, made the album successful and established Project Pat as a force in the Southern hip-hop scene.
His subsequent albums, including Mista Don’t Play: Everythangs Workin’ and Layin’ Da Smack Down further solidified his status as a standout artist. Project Pat’s music, much like that of Three 6 Mafia, is characterized by its raw depiction of street life and its dark, hypnotic beats. His style of over-modulating his voice is heard throughout modern hip-hop. Even Gucci Mane cites Pat as his favorite rapper.
