In 1995, the Memphis underground rap group, then named "Triple 6 Mafia", released its first official album, Mystic Stylez. It had recorded this album by using the profits from its highly successful underground tape Smoked Out, Loced Out. The members then changed the group's name to "Three 6 Mafia" (or sometimes "3-6 Mafia") and now use the Triple-6 name on the compilations of reissued tracks from their underground tapes. They did this because radio stations supposedly refused to play the songs of a group whose name included a reference to the number 666. There are also rumors that the name was changed because of copyright reasons due to a falling out with others in the Memphis rap scene. The group has had a number of disputes with former allies, namely Playa Fly, Gangsta Blac, and Skinny Pimp. In fact, some say that the group was originally named "Three Six Mafia" (all words spelled out), then switched to "Triple Six" for similar reasons.
On the 1995 single "Live By Yo Rep", the group had accused Cleveland group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony of stealing its style (a mix of quasi-harmonic rapping and blatant references to the occult). The track "All Original" on Bone's Art of War album is thought to be a dis of Three Six (this issue has apparently been settled, however). The problems between the two groups were eventually settled in family court in June 1996.
Eventually, Three 6 Mafia moved towards the "crunk" style of rap - repetitive chanting aimed at hyping a crowd (e.g.— "tear the club up, nigga, tear the club up!"). This direction (exemplified by songs like "Sippin' on Syrup" with Houston rappers UGK) helped them reach number 6 on the Billboard album chart in 2000 with their CD 6661: When the Smoke Clears.
Three 6 has expanded its operations considerably. Its stable of affiliated rappers is called "Hypnotize Minds" or the "Hypnotize Camp Posse" (HCP). Aside from many of the individual members releasing solo albums, they have also released material from "Tear Da Club Up Thugs" (a side project) and "Three Six Mafia Presents: Hypnotize Camp Posse" (a Memphis rap compilation). Unfortunately, Three 6 Mafia has also lost many members. Koopsta Knicca left due to a monetary dispute, while La Chat is currently pursuing a solo career. Gangsta Boo is rumored to have converted to Christianity and is interested in gospel music (which she denies, saying that it's a rumor started by her former label mates). Lord Infamous is likely in prison and very possibly under 24-hour lockdown, although Juicy J has said he's on "vacation." T-Rock has parted ways with Three 6 Mafia, and has publicly dissed the entire clique and accused them of shady business dealings in interviews and on his track "Mr. Big Man." Project Pat recently served time in prison for a parole violation, but was released in July 2005.
In 2003, Three 6 Mafia released the album Da Unbreakables, which features collaborations with Lil' Flip, Pimp C, (from UGK), Lil' Wyte, Frayser Boy, Hank Williams, Jr., and Project Pat. The album produced the hit "Ridin' Spinnerz," which featured Lil' Flip.
In 2005, Three 6 Mafia released their highly anticipated new 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 claim he is on "holiday.” He has since officially returned to Three 6 Mafia recently. The group is said to be associated with the crip gang. They diss the bloods in many of their lyrics.
Three 6 Mafia has always been known for their controversial and sometimes misunderstood lyrics. For example, in the song "Knock the Black Off Yo Ass", they reference the DC Area Sniper Shootings in multiple lines in the song. "I think they better call Bush, 'cause it's a national disaster, when I unleash my pistol-grip Bushmaster." "You can't hide, you can't run. I'm a sniper, ridin' in a blue Chevy, a trunk full of guns, man you hoes ain't ready."
“Stay Fly” was the first single off of The Most Unknown album. The next single released off of the album was "Poppin’ My Collar," which premiered around mid January 2006.
Their song "Late Nite Tip" is favoured by car audio enthusiasts for its deep, rolling bassline and is a stalwart of testing ones sound system also it is known that they sampled many Willie Hutch songs on their album Most Known Unknown
In January of 2006, Three 6 Mafia made history as they became the first African-American hip-hop act to be nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Achievement In Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song). The group was nominated for the song It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp off of the Hustle & Flow soundtrack. The first hip-hop act to actually be nominated for an Academy Award in this category was Eminem in 2002 for the song Lose Yourself off the 8 Mile soundtrack and he also won the award. Three 6 Mafia was credited by their real names in the nomination and not by their group name. Jordan Houston (Juicy J), Cedric Coleman (Crunchy Black), and Paul Beauregard (DJ Paul) were named in the nomination. Terrance Howard, who performed the song in the movie, refuses to perform it at the Academy Awards possibly because it reinforces stereotypes that all black males are pimps.
On March 5, 2006, Three 6 Mafia won the Academy Award they were nominated for, becoming the first African American Hip-Hop group to win an Oscar.
During May Crunchy Black left Three 6 Mafia to go on his own. He is releasing 4 mixtapes and 4 dvds in the near future.
Origin: Memphis, Tennessee
Year Formed: 1991
Most Known Unknown Hits
Three 6 Mafia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
where is the bud, where is the bud?
Slob on my knob like corn on da cob?
Tear da club up, Tear da club up
Push em up tear it up, Push em up nigga
Who Run it, who run it?
Playa why ya hatin, playa why ya hatin?
When I say weak ass you say BITCH
Let me,let me,let me feel yo toungue ring
It's my baby mama yee naw
She's a two way freak, a two way freak
I say BITCH get the fuck out my face
I'm ridin spinners, i'm ridin spinners and they don't stop
These bitches test my gangsta, these bitches test my gangsta
I'm from that Memphis Ten trick, who gives a what where ya from
We lookin fa them j-lo booties, big ol' ass round and fat let me squeeze
That one hitta quitta, that one hitta quitta
Who u fuckin with bitch, who u fuckin with bitch?
SHUT THE FUCK UP!!
The opening lines of Three 6 Mafia's song Most Known Unknown Hits explain the title of the album and highlight the duality of the group's reputation. The group is known in the streets for their music, but relatively unknown in the mainstream press and industry. Despite this, the group is unconcerned with their lack of recognition and focuses on their music, dropping classic hits like "Where is the Bud," "Slob on My Knob," "Tear Da Club Up," "Who Run it," "Sippin on Some Syrup," "Let Me Feel Your Tongue Ring," "It's My Baby Mama," "Ridin Spinners," "These Bitches Test My Gangsta," "Looking for them J-Lo Booties," "That One Hitta Quitta," and "Shut the F*** Up."
The lyrics in this song depict the gritty and raw reality of life on the streets. The use of profane language, sexual innuendos, and violence reflects the harshness of the environment Three 6 Mafia grew up in. The group's music represents the voice of the underrepresented and often voiceless in society, highlighting their unique perspective and struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Three 6 Mafia, The most known unknown the album, alota people question the title they wanna know what it means,
The title 'Most Known Unknowns' means that we, Three 6 Mafia, are known in the streets but not well-known by the press and the industry. Many people question the title and its meaning.
Most Known Unknowns means that 3 6 mafia is known but at the same time they unknown, ya know what i'm sayin, niggas don't realize it, niggas in the streets realize it but the press and the industry don't realize, its cool, it is what it is
The title 'Most Known Unknowns' means that we have street credibility but not well-known by the press and industry. We acknowledge that people in the streets recognize us but not the press and the industry. We're fine with it, it is what it is.
I ain't gon talk ya head off imma drop these hits on ya play them classics:
Instead of talking more about the title 'Most Known Unknowns,' we'll let our classic hits speak for themselves.
where is the bud, where is the bud?
Where is the marijuana/weed?
Slob on my knob like corn on da cob?
Oral sex reference: Pleasure me sexually like you would eat corn on the cob.
Tear da club up, Tear da club up
Let's destroy the club, create chaos.
Push em up tear it up, Push em up nigga
Raise your hands and participate in tearing up the club.
Who Run it, who run it?
Who's in charge or who's running things?
Playa why ya hatin, playa why ya hatin?
Why are you hating on me?
Sippin on some syrup, sip sip sippin on some
Drinking on some syrup (codeine cough syrup mixed with soda).
When I say weak ass you say BITCH
Referring to someone as a weak ass bitch.
Let me,let me,let me feel yo toungue ring
Let me feel your tongue ring orally.
It's my baby mama yee naw
Referring to a woman who has their child/children.
She's a two way freak, a two way freak
She's sexually open to both men and women.
I say BITCH get the fuck out my face
Telling someone to leave.
I'm ridin spinners, i'm ridin spinners and they don't stop
I'm driving a car with spinners (rims that continue to spin while the car is stopped).
These bitches test my gangsta, these bitches test my gangsta
These women try to test my toughness.
I'm from that Memphis Ten trick, who gives a what where ya from
I'm from Memphis, Tennessee, who cares where you're from.
We lookin fa them j-lo booties, big ol' ass round and fat let me squeeze
We're looking for women with big butts like Jennifer Lopez's. I want to touch/squeeze their butt.
That one hitta quitta, that one hitta quitta
Winning in one try, no need to do it again.
Who u fuckin with bitch, who u fuckin with bitch?
Who do you think you're dealing with?
SHUT THE FUCK UP!!
Stop talking, be quiet.
Contributed by Grayson R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
isaiah turner
on Smokin On Da Dro
this son dope as heck very good