Playa Fly vs. Three 6 Mafia: The Legendary Memphis Rap Feud

When you talk about Memphis rap, it’s impossible to ignore the firestorm that was the Playa Fly vs. Three 6 Mafia beef. It wasn’t just a music clash—it was a deeply personal, years-long war between some of the city’s most legendary voices. It gave birth to diss tracks, changed the course of underground rap, and left a mark that’s still felt today.

Here’s the full story—raw, unfiltered, and straight from the streets.

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Playa Fly’s Early Days with Three 6 Mafia

Before the smoke, Playa Fly was Lil’ Fly, a rising star in Memphis and a core part of what would become Three 6 Mafia. As part of their original circle in 1994-1995 (then still known as Backyard Posse), Fly contributed to their dark, hypnotic sound that would come to define early Memphis horrorcore. In fact, DJ Paul helped produce Playa Fly’s debut EP, “From Da Darkness of Da Kut”, which remains a cult classic in the Memphis underground.

Fly had a unique energy—his lyrical depth, real-life street content, and soulful cadence gave him a standout voice. He was featured on Mystic Stylez (1995), including tracks like “Live By Yo Rep”, and appeared to be part of the crew’s early foundation.

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The Breaking Point: Betrayal Behind the Boards

Everything changed around the time Mystic Stylez dropped. Though Fly was featured on the album, fans quickly noticed the intro to “Break Da Law ’95”—which allegedly portrayed him getting jumped. That skit sent a clear message: Playa Fly had officially fallen out with the crew.

Making it more chaotic, another track on the album—“Big Bizness”—was a diss aimed at Gangsta Blac, who would later side with Fly. So even while collaborating, Three 6 was already sowing the seeds of internal beef.

At this point, Playa Fly was already distancing himself from the crew. Whether it was about creative differences, control, or loyalty, the split was real—and public.

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Triple Bitch Mafia: The Diss That Rocked the City

In 1995, Fly dropped his solo project “Just Gettin’ It On” with Talio and didn’t hold back. The standout track, “Triple Bitch Mafia”, was a scathing, name-dropping diss on his former team. He called out DJ Paul, Juicy J, Gangsta Boo, and the rest of the Mafia without flinching.

By 1996, Fly reissued the track as “Flizy Comin’ (Triple Bitch Mafia Pt. 2)” on his album Fly Shit—this time with nationwide distribution. It was a bold move, letting everyone outside Memphis know what time it was. Triple Bitch Mafia quickly became one of the most infamous diss tracks in Southern rap history.

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The Return Fire: Three 6 Mafia Strikes Back

Three 6 Mafia responded in 1997 with “Gotcha Shakin’” off their album The End. But it wasn’t just the bars—they straight-up used the same beat as Playa Fly’s diss track, turning the energy back on him. DJ Paul even bragged, “I’ma take your beat and go nationwide with it.”

This wasn’t a subtle jab—it was a statement. The beef was no longer local; it was on wax, in the streets, and in the clubs.

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The Gangsta Blac Connection

After Skinny Pimp left Prophet Entertainment over financial disputes, Gangsta Blac also parted ways with the label, releasing his own project “Can It Be?” in 1996. This opened the door for him to reunite with Fly, despite a previous diss.

On Three 6 Mafia’s track “Da Connect”, DJ Paul warned Blac, “You know your roadies ain’t gonna like this, though…” Blac responded with his verse, referencing Fly again—further proof that even among old friends, alliances were messy and loyalty came with risks.

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Escalation and Evolution: Late ’90s to Early 2000s

By 1998, Playa Fly dropped the now-classic album “Movin’ On”, which included “Nobody Needs Nobody”, another jab at his former crew. Gangsta Blac was back in the fold as Fly’s partner-in-rhyme, and their chemistry was undeniable.

In 1999’s Da Game Owe Me, Playa Fly kept it going with “Breakin’ Da Law” (featuring Gangsta Blac and Terror), where he called out DJ Paul as “Handi-man” among other disses. The drama was still very much alive.

Even when Three 6 Mafia cooled on the direct disses, subliminals were still there. Fly re-released “Just Gettin’ It On” with “F* A Wanna Be”**, while Three 6 dropped “Wanna Be” on the Whiteboyz soundtrack. Coincidence? Doubtful.

Then came sample wars: Fly’s “Minnie Mae Mafia” used the same sample as Project Pat’s “Life We Live”. More side-eyeing. More tension.

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A Brief Reconnection… and More Smoke

In 2003, Playa Fly appeared on Gangsta Boo’s remix of “Sippin’ and Spinnin’”—a rare moment of near-reconciliation. But the animosity wasn’t dead. Despite working with Boo, Fly had previously fired shots at her with bars like “ugly duckling of the crew/facial features favor hell.”

Still, it was a step toward something like peace… kind of.

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Still Triple Bitch: 2025 and Beyond

The years passed, but Fly never let it go completely. As recently as 2021, he was still dissing Three 6 Mafia in interviews and on social media. On Instagram, he once again referred to them as “Triple Bitch” (📸 Link), showing that even decades later, the wounds hadn’t healed.

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Legacy: Beef That Built the Culture

Though never fully reconciled, the Playa Fly vs. Three 6 Mafia beef helped shape Memphis rap. It was raw, personal, and full of real emotion—everything that defines Southern hip-hop at its roots.

Both parties went on to have lasting careers:

• Playa Fly with albums like Fly Shit, Da Game Owe Me, and Movin’ On.

• Three 6 Mafia with platinum records, global tours, and even an Oscar.

Despite the tension, mutual respect has surfaced in interviews over the years. DJ Paul and Juicy J have acknowledged Fly’s role in the movement, while fans continue to celebrate both sides of this legendary chapter.

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Final Thoughts

Memphis has always been known for its unfiltered style and no-nonsense artists, and this beef proved that rap in the South wasn’t afraid to get personal. Diss records like Triple Bitch Mafia and Gotcha Shakin’ are etched in Southern hip-hop history—not just for the shots fired, but for the way they captured an era.

Whether you rep Playa Fly, Three 6 Mafia, or just love Memphis rap as a whole—this beef is part of the DNA that built the underground. And in Fly’s own words?

“He’s STILL Triple Bitch!”