In the ethereal realm of lyrical expression, the obscure and mystical currents that flow beneath the surface of Memphis rap transcend ordinary perception. It is a world where darkness intertwines with the sacred, giving rise to a sound that echoes across the globe. A sound born from the minds of visionaries like Al Kapone, DJ Spanish Fly, DJ Paul, and SMK, who, through their music, elevated Memphis rap to a plane of profound recognition.
In the heart of Tennessee, where Elvis Presley, the King of Rock & Roll, once reigned, the rhythmic cadence of perfectly timed drums emerged. These pioneers, including the formidable MISTA DJ Paul AKA Da Killa Man DJ Paul K.O.M., stood at the forefront of their time, propelling the varied eras of hip hop forward while maintaining a firm grip on the essence of Memphis rap. While the genre flirted with barrenness, Three 6 Mafia remained steadfast, their experience and technical mastery placing them ahead of the curve.
Even today, the influence of Memphis rap reverberates through new sounds, a testament to its enduring legacy. Exploring the depths of this musical landscape, one encounters vintage drum machines such as the SP1200, Boss DR-660, and Boss DR-5, revered by Memphis producers. The cassette tapes, with their unique sonic imprint, form the very fabric of this genre, serving as a bridge to eternity.
Immersed in the world of Memphis underground rap, you have delved into the works of Three 6 Mafia and their affiliated artists. Frayser Boy, T-Rock, Da Graveyard Productions, and the enigmatic Tommy Wright III have captured your imagination. Hypnotize Minds and Prophet Entertainment have nurtured your passion, their artistry and astute choice of sounds weaving a tapestry that defines the signature sound of Memphis Rap.
In this realm, horrorcore often melds with the macabre, as lyrical descriptions soar to new heights by intertwining samples from classic horror films like Child’s Play, Halloween, and Friday the 13th. These sonic tapestries go beyond familiar territories, incorporating samples from lesser-known gems like Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings and Sleepstalker. The multitude of haunting references have not only introduced you to these films but have also shaped your own musical productions and sparked a desire to explore the composers behind them.
Thus, the essence of Memphis rap, with its unique blend of musical equipment and software, has birthed a subgenre known as Phonk. Acts like DJ Zirk, DJ Sound, and DJ Squeeky have ensured its legendary status, solidifying its place in musical history. The resurrected cassette tape, akin to the vinyl record, has become an emblem of this legacy, with reissues and reprints bridging the gap between past and present. DJ Screw stands as a testament to the impact of the cassette tape, creating an entire underground scene with his own unique sound.
But how did you find yourself so deeply entrenched in the world of Memphis underground rap? Perhaps it was your childhood fascination with cassette tapes, a cultural phenomenon that has now evolved into a vibrant subculture. The phenomenon of DJ Screw, who sold thousands of chopped and screwed tapes at car shows, served as a wellspring of inspiration for countless rappers. The astonishing value of cassette tapes – Three 6 Mafia’s tapes reaching up to $400, while DJ Screw’s tapes fetch $200 – both intrigues and amazes you as a collector.
Your collection boasts the legendary “paper label” cassette tapes from the early days of Three 6 Mafia, when they were known as 666 Mafia. Meticulously crafted and released independently, these white-labeled tapes secured directly from Memphis hold a place of pride in your possession. Yet, whispers of duplicate copies rumored to be in the possession of fellow Memphis artist Tommy Wright III only add to their mystique. Obtaining these rare gems proves challenging, as bootlegs find their way to the market, though they pale in comparison to the originals.
Within the Memphis Rap scene, whispers of the occult, cults, and the unfathomable echo. The city itself, once named after the ancient Egyptian city, holds a certain mythic aura. Tales circulate of curses befalling the Memphis pyramid, now transformed into a Bass Pro fishing shop, with the discovery of a cursed crystal skull on its grounds.
Yet, amidst the enigmatic aura that surrounds it, Memphis rap stands as a testament to the power of music. In a city known for its musical heritage, from country legends to modern-day icons like Pooh Shiesty, Young Dolph, Moneybagg Yo, Blac Youngsta, Duke Duce, and NLE Choppa, Memphis rap carries a unique strain of sonic sorcery. It resonates deeply within the souls of those who dare to listen, allowing them to navigate the realms of darkness and light.
As a keeper of tapes and vinyl records, you safeguard the treasures of ancient wisdom, preserving them in clear poly cases away from the ravages of time. And in due course, your journey shall continue, exploring the boundless depths of vinyl records, uncovering new layers of enchantment and mystique.
Cassette Tapes
Lil Jule
Appreciated by the underground and his production arrangements Lil Jule has been a Memphis Rapper for a long period of time. Recently pressing his very own music on cassette tape, he is nearly a rare and often underrated artist from Memphis, Tennessee. His tape Ashes To Ashes & Dust To Dust is acknowledged as one of the first of many tapes dating back into 1994 to be produced and have legendary pioneers of the Memphis Underground Rap such as Lil Fly & DJ Paul. A heavily masterful sound within the underground that has been influential to the world since the 1990’s.
https://instagram.com/mackavelli901?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Record Label: BeanBoyz Ent.
Established 2007
DJ Mouzx66
This producer has made a statement within Underground Rap, Phonk and the Memphis sound.. as he created uniquely well put together beats and instrumentals. He has gone onto reproduce some classic gems and has an seems to have an entire sound that differentiates from various other producers. The drums sounds magnificent along with the choice of samples.. mainly ongoing with Memphis classics and is releasing Volume 2 “Tapeburg Mix” an entire 48 minutes of his work set to release July, 8th. The music and talent really speaks for itself make sure you check out his music and stay tuned for his new release soon!
https://instagram.com/dj.mouzx66?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://youtube.com/c/DJmouzx66
Seed Of 6ix
The legitimate legacy and everlasting pioneering of Memphis Rap music has been gradually increasing everyday with producers of Phonk and similar styles of underground hip hop with a different tone to lyricism as often called Horrorcore. The music has become more often praised since the unforgettable rise of Three 6 Mafia and often times the styles that can’t be repeated or duplicated in hip hop never go unnoticed. Seed Of 6ix has to be the first greatest duo to be considered the best to emit into the music industry with this influence and styles of Memphis rap.
The passing of the torch or 2.0 version and even reincarnation of Lord Infamous & DJ Paul is well known as Lil Infamous and Locodunit and still can be heard of a modern day version with the music being noticeably original and have their very own abilities and lyrical formats of the raps they come up with with each song and album including mixtapes. They have a new EP set to be released soon with expectations from DJ Paul, Yelawolf and Lil Wyte. They often times do their versions of songs from Three 6 Mafia with resamples along with their own lyrical atmosphere they bring to music.
Clouds XIII
This tape collector has a wide range of memphis underground tapes just being original with the entire and seemingly complete collection, with a incredible to a near mint condition while scaling the truth.. these tapes are very hard to find and rare if you find one online at times. Having Tommy Wright III and Gangsta Pat in his collection really sets a balance of a having tapes from Lil Fly. MC Mack, Frayser Click & Tinnie Mane. The tapes are straight from Memphis and mainly focusing on Underground Memphis Rap.. the styles / genre that has been continuously showing why it has lasted a test of time with seemingly effortlessly creating the great music that is still being heard, sampled and also been influencing in ways as a major role in music.
https://instagram.com/da_ginga_life?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
SorenP
Soren has been collecting and even remastering tapes with various Memphis Rap music and underground classics from legends musicians. He has recently been selling tapes and uploading to his YouTube channel. He has even put out instrumentals version of classic records from a variety of underground artist. SorenP even has a song with Al Kapone.. just check out his Instagram and YouTube for more intriguing details, tapes and songs.
https://instagram.com/soren.prod?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://youtube.com/channel/UCDeKISwStbDl7wHtHOFsrmw
3 – 6 Killa Shot
This is an intriguing yet a very solid way to perceive legendary music and the one of the greatest way to pay proper homage and even tribute to Underground Music. Memphis Rap has found it’s way across the globe and with 3-6 Killa Shot creating the most incredible mixes and has to be one of the greatest way to introduce anyone into this style of music mainly focusing Memphis Underground and the likewise musicians and even producers influenced by this genre. The cassette tapes they have showcased are incredible quality and look flawless to nearly make the cassettes look literary like art that belong in a museum as well. They look like they took time and effort on these cassette tapes and regardless if they are for sale or not this has been very appealing to the eyes and should be a collectors choice to consider the perfect way to listen to this kind of music that will live forever for future generations of musicians and listeners of all types.
https://instagram.com/36killashop?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
TAPEHOUSEUSA
This label has been releasing cassette tapes from legendary and underground artists such as SpaceGhostPurrp, Graveyard Productions and Womack Da Omen along with the esteemed producers within the ever growing genre Phonk such as DJ Sacred, DJ Bishop and Apoc Krysis. The wide range of selection on BandCamp can be exclusively released with a limited amount of tapes being produced straight from the Midwest specifically Chicago, IL. The vast amount of music being reissued and released with a impeccable quality of sound and design of each cassette duplicated is definitely letting a long lasting experience and continuing the legacy and positive impact from musicians across the world furthering a properly and positive influence on collectors, artists of all sorts. The highest level of admiration through music covering quality and rare amounts of tapes being sold out makes it more often a treasured piece of history and nearly impossible to turn away from various cassette tapes. TapeHouseUSA has been dropping iconic albums from the most influential artists within the Underground and Memphis Rap scene. The praise has been made with a aspect of recognition while still maintaining the sorts of nostalgia realm of the 1990’s and keeping the tapehead community on a upscale. Meanwhile, it’s keeping the physical form of musical projects above and beyond the liveliness of our current times and even future generations of artists and labels.
https://tapehouseusa.bandcamp.com
https://instagram.com/tapehouseusa?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Triple 6 Mafia – Smoked Out, Loced Out
Released: 1994
A well balanced frequency for tapeheads and new comers within music in general as the static and tape warmth seems like it’s incorporating and adding yo it’s unique sound even for early near mid 1990s. The cassette tape is one that has been stamped in the underground and ongoing genres that sample this very tape. Smoked Out, Loced Out has constant flows and stylists upon lyrical content evenly alongside horror, pure entertainment within musical talents and of course the legendary imprint this tape solemnly has made within cultural impacts across the globe.. as a group and album release before the debut with Mystic Stylez 6 months later. The radio segments with Triple 6 Hotline is carried on throughout this project along the features with Gangsta Blac, Lil Glock & S.O.G, Skinny Pimp. Mask & Da Glock appears on Underground Volume 1: 1991 – 1994 with it sampling Diana Ross.. eventually being sampled by $uicide Boys, Holy Mob, Nell & Yung Simmie Feat. Amber London. Now I’m High, Really High reach three parts while it appears with part 1 on this album.. Lord Infamous has a intriguing take on a flow which makes the cynical, dark and horror inspired content sound mesmerizing as a masterpiece of art and a true body of work. This release alone has stood the chance of time and came along way with it increasing in credibility with music and entertainment as well as cultural forms of sounds as the cassette tape has a suitable type of nostalgia and a rare form of audio seemingly enhancement by possible distortion or lofi. It can be personal preference or the sound of the tape it can be known to project throughout speakers or headphones.
Juicy J – Chronicles Of The Juiceman
From the moment the first introduction of this underground album starts with the Pimptro it forces the listeners to truly feel of the Memphis Rap influence with a smooth sample nearly taking a role on the unpredictable songs of Juicy J. The Sequel to North North is played on this album while the first one was on Project Pats underground album even hearing Pt. 2 on another album the track itself is another one to recognize as a structure and sound of each samples purpose makes this track a classic almost having to stumble across this song regardless of how you dig or find music within Memphis Rap or Juicy J’s & Project Pat’s music catalog. Who The Buckest sounds like a modernized mainstream version of Who The Crunkest nearly emphasizing the trends of Memphis Rap & Crunk amidst 2002, a year whereas dances, expressing oneself with type of footworks or forms of moshing within hip-hop was at standstills while this takes the opportunity to seize the moment early within this album. The songs Gimme Head, Pimp Talk & Like A Pimp altogether hold a solid stance within the first half reaching towards the middle of the album. La Chat and Frayser Boy hold ground for they can ultimately stand the test of time with the ongoing music and the empire they go on to create with or without Hypnotize Minds even though notoriety has sparked mostly while with DJ Paul & Juicy J.. these features are Hip Hop Heavyweights with heavy delivery and vocals flowing with incredible delivery representing Bay Area as a native as Frayser Boy is heard with La Chat one the female who has been heard oftentimes spitting verses with the Memphis Group. The song Killa Klan of course samples the song by Bone Thugs called Mo Murda and most of the memorable bars and repetitive hooks on this album can be found on earlier tapes or later projects alongside of them being samples to make more music and a undoubtable sound. Smoked Dat Weed (Featuring Lord Infamous) sampling Linkin Park sounds like a nostalgic inception and with it being widely played throughout speakers and even quality headphones at times.. the fact remaining that it’s being heard through a cassette deck, boom box or tape player of any kind can nearly certainly make this song a go-to for any particular occasion to be honest.. Buck Gangsta Beat & Mafia Niggaz reminds me about the mixes and posse cuts they are known for on albums and early tapes within the 90s.. this album was released in 2002 and has emerged from time to time as itself being a Juicy J album to be remembered and reminiscent nearly each track especially with the suitable sample in the song Name It After Me which really makes sense and aged very greatly within his career over the multiple years as a rapper, producer and of course the early days as a DJ on his first few tapes. Gimme Sum feels like a rather obscure to the wise and creative approach to the same titled song from Juicy J – Volume 10 but that specific track on that tape features 211 and Camike while the one on this album is featuring Frayser Boy and La Chat.. By the time you hear this album towards the song Soldiers From The North Side you can ultimately see and possibly understand why Juicy J is still appreciated within the Underground and the ongoing music and entertainment among all aspects in his historical career. Ending this album with Duck Suckin Hoez
