Memphis, the cultural hub for all things musical ... the city of soul and the birthplace of rock and roll found a new form of musical expression in the 1980s when DJ Spanish Fly brought hip hop to Memphis.
In the South, it’s all about low-tone music and DJ Spanish Fly brought the bass. The “Godfather of Memphis Rap” created hip hop music that flowed over a deep beat with a spooky-like delivery. The "dope dance that originated from the South” pushed DJ Spanish Fly’s career passed the underground music scene as Black individuals gangsta walked their way through the club and to Boss Ugly Bobs, the only place in town you could purchase the mixtapes from Black underground artists.
In the 80s, mainstream radio wouldn’t play underground songs from these Black artists, but that’s the thing about music, it demands to be heard. Artists like Gangsta Pat, 8Ball and MJG and Three 6 Mafia demanded to be heard.
Memphis, the cultural hub for all things musical ... the city of soul and the birthplace of rock and roll found a new form of musical expression in the 1980s when DJ Spanish Fly brought hip hop to Memphis.
In the South, it’s all about low-tone music and DJ Spanish Fly brought the bass. The “Godfather of Memphis Rap” created hip hop music that flowed over a deep beat with a spooky-like delivery. The "dope dance that originated from the South” pushed DJ Spanish Fly’s career passed the underground music scene as Black individuals gangsta walked their way through the club and to Boss Ugly Bobs, the only place in town you could purchase the mixtapes from Black underground artists.
In the 80s, mainstream radio wouldn’t play underground songs from these Black artists, but that’s the thing about music, it demands to be heard. Artists like Gangsta Pat, 8Ball and MJG and Three 6 Mafia demanded to be heard.
Gangsta Pat
Gangsta Pat was destined to be in the world of music. His dad, Willie Jones, was a well-known Stax Records drummer who took Gangsta Pat everywhere. As he grew in his artistry and surpassed the underground scene in Memphis, he landed a major record deal with Atlantic Records and it was through this partnership that he helped put Memphis rap on the map.
8Ball and MJG
Brought into the music industry by Gangsta Pat, the hip hop duo 8Ball and MJG was ready to hold the rap torch. In the early 90s, they made their rap debut in the underground scene performing songs from their album," Listen to the Lyrics," in the following years they released several albums that charted on the Billboard 200. However, they received the most notoriety from their feature on hit-song "Stay Fly" with Three 6 Mafia.
Three 6 Mafia
Three 6 Mafia created music inspired by their love for horror films, “horrorcore." Their two official members were Juicy J and DJ Paul, and over the years their team expanded and condensed, consisting of Gangsta Boo, Lord Infamous, Crunchy Black, La Chat, Koopsta Knicca, Playa Fly, Indo G, and Mr. Del, creating major hit songs like "Tear Da Club Up," "Side 2 Side," "Stay Fly," and "Poppin’ My Collar."
Project Pat
Co-founder of Three 6 Mafia and older brother of Juicy J, made his own mark on Memphis music. While he worked hand-in-hand with Three 6 Mafia, giving them their hook on "Sippin’ On Some Syrup," he went on to create his own hits, like "Chickenhead" and "Great Googly Moogly," that Memphians still listen to, to this day
Young Dolph
“It’s Dolph!” Young Dolph, or the self-proclaimed “King of Memphis,” made his mark in '08 releasing his first mixtape, "Paper Route Campaign," which he would later name his independent record label, Paper Route Empire. During his career, he created infamous songs such as: "100 Shots" and "Preach." In 2017, Dolph signed Key Glock to his label and they released one of their greatest hits, "Major."
Key Glock
In the same year that he signed to Paper Route Empire, Key Glock released his first mixtape, "Glock Season." Afterwards, he created a collaborative album with Young Dolph, "Dum and Dummer" and would later release his first solo album, "Yellow Tape" that charted #8 on the Billboard.
Yo Gotti
Yo Gotti made his entrance in the music scene in 1996, and created music from his experiences and for the life he wished he lived. Famously known for his time living in Ridgecrest Apartments, from his song “Intro,” he gave us the inside scoop of his world. “Ya boy Yo Gotti,” later founded Collective Music Group or (CMG) where he signed a plethora of artists including Moneybagg Yo and Glorilla.
Moneybagg Yo
After he dropped his mixtape, "All Gas No Brakes," in 2016, that’s exactly how he pursued his musical career with “all gas, no brakes.” In the same year, he caught the attention of Yo Gotti and signed with CMG record label. His highest charting songs are "Wokesha," "Said Sum," "Time Today" and his latest hit, "Whiskey Whiskey."
NLE Choppa
Before NLE Choppa gained the attention of major record labels, he was already making strides on all of his social media platforms with his biggest single "Shotta Flow." With his mom as his manager, he turned down a $3 million record deal and started his production company with Warner Records, No Love Entertainment (NLE) giving him creative control and ownership of his music. A few of his well-known hits are "Gamble With My Heart," "Ima Dogg," and "Change My Ways."
Glorilla
When her hit song "FNF" with Memphis producer HitKidd went viral on the internet, Yo Gotti took a chance on this young talented rapper from Memphis. Between her Memphis accent, back-to-back summer hits and her concert tour with Megan Thee Stallion, it’s safe to assume Glorilla has a great tomorrow ahead and now the whole world is cheering for Glorilla’s success as we chant, “Yeah Glo!”
Memphis hip hop artists create a sound that you won’t find anywhere else in the world, and they’ve been doing it since the '80s. Rapping in a unique “horrorcore” style, creating “gangsta walking” music, telling life stories and reminding us that the sun will always shine tomorrow. From being limited to the underground scene to now being world-renowned artists: Memphis, it’s only up from here.
