Three 6 Mafia is an American hip hop group from Memphis, Tennessee. Origin… Read Full Bio ↴Three 6 Mafia is an American hip hop group from Memphis, Tennessee. Originally called "Backyard Posse," the group has included many members, including Gangsta Blac, Gangsta Boo, La' Chat, Koopsta Knicca, Lord Infamous, Playa Fly and Crunchy Black. The group now consists of only Juicy J and DJ Paul, who also serve as in-house producers. Project Pat is signed to their label along with Lil' Wyte. The dark and hardcore group is famous for their gruesome lyrics with topics ranging from drug use to inciting the crowd in a nightclub to riot. They are famous for being pioneers of the crunk sound, as well as being the first rap artists from Memphis to go platinum.

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

Poppin' My Collar
Three 6 Mafia Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now ever since I can remember, I've been poppin' my collar
Poppin'-poppin' my collar, poppin'-poppin' my collar
Now ever since I can remember, I've been workin' these hoes
And they better put my money in my hand (in my hand)

Now ever since I can remember, I've been poppin' my collar
Poppin'-poppin' my collar, poppin'-poppin' my collar
Now ever since I can remember, I've been workin' these hoes

And they better put my money in my hand (in my hand)

I know you sicker than sick-ahh
When you see the rims flick-ahh
The paint drip off, ice in my Range glitt-ahh
I straight flipp-ahh
The cheese like pancake-ahh
Foldin' my cheese like the leaves in my hand rake-ahh
Project Pat-ter
Attracted to dime pieces
I'm dirty southern, French braids, gold teeth-ahh's
I'm out here makin' cents, plus, I'm out here makin' dollars
I keep a bad broad, though, and a popped collar

She's just another hoe that I met in the hood
I told her I was Crunchy Black and it was all good
She might as well go on head and suck on my wood
And let me whisper something in her ear if I could (if I could)

Now ever since I can remember, I've been poppin' my collar
Poppin'-poppin' my collar, poppin'-poppin' my collar
Now ever since I can remember, I've been workin' these hoes
And they better put my money in my hand (in my hand)

Now ever since I can remember, I've been poppin' my collar
Poppin'-poppin' my collar, poppin'-poppin' my collar
Now ever since I can remember, I've been workin' these hoes (yeah)
And they better put my money (yeah) in my hand (in my hand, in my hand)

Now when it comes to getting bread I got the keys to the bakery
A lot of dudes swear they play, man they some fake-ery
Let me catch a girl up out some work in my site
And believe I'm gon' be atcha in the daylight with a flashlight
I'm tryin' to get paid however money is made
A lot dudes like to pay ladies to get laid
But me, I ain't no pimp (pimp), I just love to borrow
Paper from a fat bitch, a ugly bitch, a model for real

Well you know me by the Juice man hangin' out with Big Triece
Standin' on the porch, drinkin' liquor, drunk, smokin' weed
Trying to get a paycheck, but work that ain't came yet
That's why I stay in a girl ear, to keep that pussy wet

Now ever since I can remember, I've been poppin' my collar
Poppin'-poppin' my collar, poppin'-poppin' my collar
Now ever since I can remember, I've been workin' these hoes
And they better put my money in my hand (in my hand)

Now ever since I can remember, I've been poppin' my collar
Poppin'-poppin' my collar, poppin'-poppin' my collar
Now ever since I can remember, I've been workin' these hoes
And they better put my money in my hand (in my hand)

In my hand (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

Poppin' my collar (yeah, yeah, yeah), poppin' poppin' my collar

Poppin' my collar (yeah, yeah, yeah), poppin' poppin' my collar
Collar, collar, collar

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Three 6 Mafia's Poppin' My Collar is a celebration of their success and alpha male status. The song is a braggadocious anthem that asserts their dominance over women, money, and material possessions. The opening lines, "Now eva since I can remember, I've been poppin' my collar" establishes the repetitive hook used to emphasize their confidence, wealth, and superiority. The song boasts of luxury cars, flashy jewelry, and designer clothes, which they use to attract and impress women. The lines "She's just another ho that I met in the hood/ I told her I was Crunchy Black and it was all good/ She might as well go on head and suck on my wood/ And let me whisper something in her ear if I could" objectify women and glorify the pimp lifestyle.

Additionally, the song displays the aggressive attitude of southern trap music and the influence of Memphis rap. The lyrics describe the gangster lifestyle with themes of violence, drugs, and guns. The lines "And believe I'm gon' be atcha in the daylight with a flashlight/ I'm tryin' to get paid however money is made" depicts their readiness for any kind of hustle to make money. The lyrics also highlight the southern dialect and accent, which is typical of the genre.

Overall, Poppin' My Collar is a classic Three 6 Mafia song that highlights their gangster lifestyle, materialism, and dominance over women. The song is an example of southern trap music's popularity and influence in the early 2000s.

Line by Line Meaning

Now eva since I can remember, I've been poppin' my collar (Poppin' poppin' my collar, poppin' poppin' my collar)
I have been confident and stylish my whole life, and I am proud to represent myself in this way

Now eva since I can remember, I've been workin' these ho's 'N they betta put my money in my hand
I have been using my charm and wit to gain the attention of women in the street, and they owe me monetary compensation for my time and energy.

I know you sicker than sicka When you see the rims flicka The paint drip off Ice in my Range glitta I straight flippa The cheese like pancake-a Foldin' my cheese like the leaves in my hand bricka? Project Pat-ter Attracted to dime pieces I'm dirty southern French braids, gold teeth-a I'm out here makin' sense Plus, I'm out here makin' dollars I keep a bad broad, though, and a popped collar
I am proud to be successful and fashionable with my fancy car, gold jewelry, and stylish hair. I am attracted to beautiful young women and am earning a lot of money while doing so.

She's just another ho that I met in the hood I told her I was Crunchy Black and it was all good She might as well go on head and suck on my wood And let me whisper something in her ear if I could
I met a woman in the impoverished area, and I didn't even need to introduce myself for her to be interested in me. I made some sexual advances and whispered something dirty to her.

Now when it comes to getting bread I got the keys to the bakery A lot of dudes swear they play, man they some fake-ery Let me catch a girl up out some work in my site And believe I'm gon' be atcha in the daylight with a flashlight I'm tryin' to get paid however money is made A lot dudes like to pay ladies to get laid But me, I ain't no pimp, I just love to borrow Paper from a fat bitch, a ugly bitch, a model fa real
I am very successful at making money, and others are envious of my success. If I see a woman in the street who I think I can make money from, I'll approach her at any time of the day. I don't necessarily pimp women out for money, but I am always borrowing money from them no matter what they look like.

Well you know me by the Juice man hangin' out with Big Triece Standin' on tha porch, drinkin' liquor, drunk, smokin' weed Trying to get a paycheck, but work that ain't came yet That's why I stay in a girl ear, to keep that pussy wet
People should know me as a laid-back person who is hanging out with friends drinking and doing drugs. I am always looking for work, but I haven't found any recently. To stay occupied, I charm women to keep myself entertained.

Poppin' poppin' my collar, poppin' poppin' my collar Poppin' poppin' my collar, poppin' poppin' my collar Collar, collar, collar, collar
I am proud of my stylish look and want to draw attention to it with the repetitive phrases of 'Poppin' poppin' my collar' and 'Collar, collar, collar, collar.'

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: D. PEARS, DARNELL CARLTON, JORDAN HOUSTON, PAUL BEAUREGARD, WILLIE HUTCH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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