Three 6 Mafia feat. Chamillionaire

At this point in the groups evolution, having signed to a major label and having scored an admirable hit single, group leaders Juicy J and DJ Paul began extending their brand. They started by releasing group member solo albums (Gangsta Boo, Koopsta Knicca), non-group member solo albums (Project Pat, The Kaze) and also compilation-styled albums (Tear Da Club Up Thugs, Hypnotize Camp Posse, Da Headbussaz, and Prophet Posse). Around this time, they also released collections of tracks from earlier years (Underground Vol. 1: 1991-1994, Underground Vol. 2: Club Memphis, Underground Vol. 3: Kings of Memphis).

[edit] 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 Syrup in a few non-Southern markets, the album debuted at number six on Billboards album charts. 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 one of their videos.[citation needed]

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 (Choices: The Album) were released in 2001. In 2002, there were two solo releases from the groups two producers. One from DJ Paul called Underground Vol. 16: For Da Summa 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 and MJG. They also worked on the movie Hustle and Flow, which would lead them to an award and released a greatest hits album, Most Known Hits.

Academy Award win

On March 5, 2006, Three 6 Mafia made history as they became the first African American hip-hop group to win an Academy Award for Best Song and also became the first hip-hop artists to ever perform at the ceremony.[2] The group was nominated for the song "Its Hard Out Here for a Pimp" from the Hustle and Flow soundtrack. This marked only the second time a rap act has won an Academy Award, following Eminem in 2002.

The Academy-winning members of Three 6 Mafia were credited by their real names, Jordan Houston (Juicy J) and Paul Beauregard (DJ Paul), along with Cedric Duane Coleman (Frayser Boy), although host Jon Stewart did refer to them as "Three 6 Mafia" after their victory, saying "Martin Scorsese: 0 Oscars. Three 6 Mafia: 1."[3]

[edit] Recent events

On June 7, 2006, Sony officially acknowledged the departure of original Three 6 Mafia member, Crunchy Black. However, the first acknowledgment of Crunchys departure from the group was on June 6, 2006 (or 2006-06-06, the only day in 1000 years to be the Number of the Beast). 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.[4] As a replacement for Crunchy Black and Lord Infamous, Juicy Js brother Patrick Houston (Project Pat), a longtime affiliate of the group, has finally become an official member.

The two producers of the group now have their own reality show, Adventures in Hollyhood, on MTV. The show will focus on what its 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.

In December of 2006, Three 6 Mafia contributed the song "Its 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 July 10, 2007.

Controversy

Satanic accusations

Three 6 Mafias name has been a topic of controversy because of some peoples 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 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 "__ Wit Dis Click." Lord Infamous states "No Im not a Christian," and DJ Pauls verse is filled with blatant Satanic lyrics, such as "Im on a cross, Lucifer, please cut me free," and "A mind for murder but the barrel couldnt 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." 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.[7] The names meaning is attributed to the fact that "it started with three people in the group, [and] ended up with six; Three 6 Mafia" (even though their original name was Triple Six Mafia) according to an interview with Juicy J.

Their 2005 single, "Stay Fly," was also referenced in the argument of Three 6 Mafias 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 "Youre My God, Youre 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 "Youre my pride, youre my dream, youre my Dar-ling."

In an issue of Entertainment Weekly, Juicy J defended the group, saying that the groups 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." Additionally, Juicy Js father is the pastor of a Christian church, and Juicy J has supported and helped fund the church community.[citation needed]

[edit] 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 Aint 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. By 1999 the feud had ended, which became apparent when Krayzie Bone appeared on Project Pats Ghetty Green album. A track on the upcoming 2007 Bone Thugs-n-Harmony album, Strength and Loyalty, will also feature a song produced by DJ Paul and Juicy J.

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. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.