The Most Known Unknowns could not be a more fitting title for the latest Three-6 Mafia release. Though tasting plenty of commercial success in the fifteen year career, they’ve remained rooted in the groundwork they’ve laid. And unlike some of their counterparts in the game, they haven’t lost themselves in the crossover. There is something to be said about the term “classic” never being used to describe an album coming from artists down south. Yet the relevance of such Three-6 albums like Da Unbreakables and When the Smoke Clears never fades. If nothing else can be said about Three-6 Mafia, true fans of the culture can’t shield the respect their due.
AllHipHop.com asked its Ill Community – known for its many Three-6 Mafia fans, to ask questions. You wrote, we asked, DJ Paul answered. From the mundane to the deep, see how these questions are treated, and get some of the answers you’re after.
Mannywallace: What’s going on with Gangsta Boo and LaChat?
DJ Paul: It’s been more than four-five years since I have talked with them. I don’t know what they are doing now, but I wish them much success.
The Anti-Christ: Is Lord Infamous ever dropping a solo?
DJ Paul: We are concentrating on [Most Known Unknown] right now, but we all keep things in the works.
StreetHop: When is the new Tear Da Club Up Thugs dropping?
DJ Paul: It’s coming soon.
Outlaw Titan: Are they looking for a new label or are they gonna stay with Sony?
DJ Paul: The Hypnotize Mindz imprint still exists. The Sony deal is a joint venture.
Irish Snyper: If they could rob any artist of their jewelry, who would they rob?
DJ Paul: [laughing] What the Hell we look like? These questions came from our fans?
AllHipHop.com: Yep.
HypnotizedMind: Why is it so hard to keep Lord out of trouble?
When are y’all gonna hit a tour up?
DJ Paul: [laughing] Lord is a wild dude, but we hold him down. We are on a promo tour right now. A major tour can happen if the money is right.
MrIrreverent: Given the new album’s theme, do you feel unappreciated? How did you develop their production style?
DJ Paul: [We feel unappreciated] at times, but our fans are so loyal, it’s cool. [My production style] comes in different elements; it’s never the same every time.
StabNKill: Some of your music in the past has been looked upon as dark and a little satanic what’s that about?
DJ Paul: I don’t know where in the Hell people got that ish from, we don’t worship the devil. As a matter of fact, I’m a God fearing man.
Iggy: How are your relationships with some of the old crew members?
DJ Paul: Not all relationships are for a lifetime. People come and go in your life, as well as your career. I wish them success in whatever they have going on in their lives.
Raising Hell: Why are people now starting to come around to using your production since you’ve been doing it for more than a decade?
DJ Paul: I don’t know, I have been doing this for years, the climate of the industry has changed the South is where it’s at right now. I am able to provide them with the production their looking for because it’s our turn.
Dajuicemanne818: Did you flip your style to the mainstream or was it a matter of time before mainstream came and found you?
DJ Paul: We are not new to the mainstream, it just comes in waves. But we will always remain true to who we are and what our fans expect from us.
E_NOX: Is it true you guys have done production for Bone’s upcoming album? Why should we buy the new album? What do you think of the state of Hip-Hop right now?
DJ Paul: Yes, I just talked with Swizz Beats, and everything is a go.
The album is yet another labor of love, we have been consistent in putting out hot s**t, and we promise not to disappoint. It’s everywhere you can’t get away from it.
Boombaya: How do you feel bout constantly being overlooked as one of the pioneers and trendsetters of southern Hip-Hop? Not for nothing, you all were the first to have a first lady.
DJ Paul: It doesn’t really bother me like people think it would. When you are a trendsetter, it speaks for itself. You not only have to work harder but most importantly, smarter.
H3avyHitta: Aside from Young Buck recently coming out of Nashville, how do you feel about the rest of the artists in Memphis? Will Lil Wyte produce any material on his new album?
DJ Paul: Memphis is flooded with talent, and there are cats out here really doing there thing. They may never see commercial success, but they are eating. He doesn’t produce.
Bmizzle: Will you ever collaborate with Lil Jon, Pastor Troy, or T.I. again?
DJ Paul: We work with whoever wants to work with us.
Lamontb: How do you feel about 50 Cent?
DJ Paul: He is doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing -capitalizing on his fame. The clothes, shoes, movies and Vitamin Water. What can you say except he is a smart businessman.
KeelaMane: Who is the best to ever come out of Tennessee?
DJ Paul: [laughing] Of course, I’m partial to my own crew. But there is no denying 8Ball & MJG have made it happen.
Deebeebee: What inspired you to do the remix of “Stay Fly”?
DJ Paul: It was a hot single and working with the other artist from Tennessee made it a better look for us.
Slicknickshady: What’s the plot for Choices 3?
DJ Paul: The fans just have to wait and see. Having filmed the DVDs doing movies has become a passion for me, we have learned how to make hot films for a little bit of nothing.
Merlin: Why don’t you make more mixtapes?
DJ Paul: We still make mixtapes. It’s all a part of the hustle right now. It’s how you stay relevant.
mexi-CAN: Why do y’all change y’all sound so much?
DJ Paul: We never want to be boxed into a particular sound.
DaChopBlockSpec: There’s been a noticeable change in your music from the earlier albums to now – Less vulgar, less sinister, more commercial sounding. Do you feel as though you have sold out?
DJ Paul: Sold out?! Naw, not at all you there are things that have to be done in order to get radio play. Why would we not do that?
Chakazulu3000: What has Project Pat been doing since his release from prison?
DJ Paul: Working on his music.
KevinSGary: Was the way Memphis was portrayed in Hustle & Flow an accurate depiction?
DJ Paul: Yes, it goes down just like that, it’s nothing to see a young White girl being pimped, and vice versa.
Dooddude: Which of your albums is your favorite and which one are they most proud of?
DJ Paul: I can’t really say I have a favorite because we have worked hard on every last one of them. I am proud of everything we’ve ever put out.
Hell’zWindStaff: Why isn’t Lil’ Wyte officially a part of Three-6 Mafia?
DJ Paul: He is a solo artist and he will remain an independent.
LegBreaka: How do you feel about Lil’ Jon calling himself the “King of Crunk,” when so much of the music you all have been putting out over the years is so similar?
DJ Paul: I get this question all the time, people have it confused. Lil’ Jon calling himself the “King of Crunk” is fine. Our music was never called Crunk, it’s called Get Buck music. When we used the slang term ‘crunk,’ we mean, it’s crowded. I just came out of the KFC and I would tell the people coming in, you might not want to go in there because it Crunk in there.
Willow’s Hot City Radio show can be heard at www.hotcityradio.com