Originally called the "Backyard Posse," Three 6 Mafia emerged in Memphis, Tennessee in 1988 with as a rap trio with DJ Paul, Juicy J, and Lord Infamous. Koopsta Knicca joined as the fourth member in 1994 with Crunchy Black and Gangsta Boo joining in 1995. That year, the group released its debut album "Mystic Stylez, which peaked in the top 100 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Ay 2001, after releasing four albums, Gangsta Boo and Koopsta Knicca left the group. Lord Infamous departed in 2005, followed by Crunchy Black in 2006. With only DJ Paul and Juicy J, Three 6 Mafia continued until 2012 when it formally disbanded. In 2013, all of the original members except Juicy J formed a spin-off collective called Da Mafia 6ix. Lord Infamous died shortly thereafter. Koopsta Knicca followed in 2015. In 2019, Juicy J, DJ Paul, Crunchy Black, and Gangsta Boo reunited as Three 6 Mafia. Gangsta Black died on New Year's Day 2023.