Three 6 Mafia

Meet Three 6 Mafia, a music group that shook up the hip-hop scene! This Memphis-based crew formed in 1991, and they made their mark with hard-hitting lyrics and a unique sound.

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Three 6 Mafia started with a few friends: DJ Paul, Juicy J, and Lord Infamous. They got together to create their own style of music, which blended hip-hop with dark, eerie beats. As time went on, more members joined the group, including Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo, and Koopsta Knicca.

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Some of their earliest hits, like "Tear da Club Up" and "Midnight Riders," put them on the map. But Three 6 Mafia really hit it big with their 2000 album "When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1." That one had their mega-hit "Sippin' on Some Syrup," a wildly popular song filled with catchy rhymes and infectious beats.

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In 2006, Three 6 Mafia had a major milestone: They won an Academy Award for Best Original Song! This happened at the Oscars for their track "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp," which was featured in the movie "Hustle & Flow." That made history because they were the first hip-hop group to receive this honor.

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A little later, the group experienced changes. Three 6 Mafia shifted their name to Da Mafia 6ix, and some members started their own solo careers. But the music they created together has left a lasting impact on hip-hop culture.

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Today, Three 6 Mafia is remembered as innovators who pushed hip-hop's boundaries. They brought a fresh sound and attitude to the genre, and their music is loved by fans worldwide. So, next time you hear that spooky southern sound, you'll know it's a piece of hip-hop history from the one and only Three 6 Mafia!