The rivalry between Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Three 6 Mafia is one of the most well-known feuds in hip-hop history. Born out of tensions during a 1995 Memphis show, this beef would not only shape the careers of both groups but also define an era of competition between Cleveland and Memphis rap. To understand how it all started, you need to look back to when Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s debut album, Creepin’ on Ah Come Up, hit the streets and made waves in the hip-hop world.
The Rise of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
In 1994, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony dropped their debut EP, Creepin’ on Ah Come Up, a project that would skyrocket them to national recognition. Their fast-paced rapping, smooth harmonies, and dark, eerie tones were a unique departure from what was popular in the mainstream at the time. The group’s style was innovative—blending rapid-fire delivery with emotional, sometimes melancholic, themes about street life, struggle, and spirituality. With hits like “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” and “Creepin’ on Ah Come Up,” Bone Thugs carved out their own lane in hip-hop, setting them apart from many of their contemporaries.
Their sound quickly caught on, and they went on tour to promote the album. It was during this time, specifically in Memphis, that the infamous conflict between Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Three 6 Mafia began to brew.
The Tension in Memphis: Three 6 Mafia’s Early Pushback
It is widely believed that while touring in Memphis, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony faced an unexpected confrontation with members of Three 6 Mafia. The story goes that during one of their performances, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony was approached by DJ Paul, Lord Infamous, and Koopsta Knicca—three of the founding members of Three 6 Mafia. According to various accounts, the trio rushed Bone Thugs-N-Harmony on stage, with one of them even holding a tape in hand, seemingly ready to confront the group.
However, the confrontation was quickly halted by security, preventing any physical altercation. But the underlying anger from Three 6 Mafia was clear. The reason for their hostility seemed to stem from the belief that Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s sound—fast-paced, melodic, and at times dark—was too similar to their own. It’s not hard to imagine how Three 6 Mafia, already entrenched in Memphis’ underground scene, could feel slighted by the emergence of an “out-of-town” group with a comparable style, but with an East Coast influence.
For DJ Paul, Lord Infamous, and Koopsta Knicca, it was a matter of pride. They had been grinding for years to carve out a distinct sound that represented Memphis, and the sudden rise of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, who were from Cleveland, felt like an infringement on their territory. While the incident may have been brief, it marked the beginning of an ongoing rivalry that would escalate in the years to come.
Skinny Pimp would essentially be the first person in Memphis to put a diss towrds Bone on wax, seemingly right after this incident. With the “And I hate Bone, Thuggish Ruggish Bustaz” line on Lil Gin’s debut EP “Junts We Choke II”. A cartoon dissing Bone was also hand-drawn for the promo poster.
Bizzy Bone’s Fury & The Vibe Interview That Sparked Beef
Following the confrontation in Memphis, tensions only increased. The Memphis scene had a reputation for being protective of its homegrown talent, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony members—especially Bizzy Bone—were not happy about the hostility they had encountered. Bizzy was reportedly furious about what had transpired, and he wanted to send a message back to the Memphis rappers who had challenged them.
The real spark for the ongoing beef, however, came in an interview with Vibe Magazine in February 1995. When asked about Memphis, Layzie Bone casually referred to the city as a “bunk ass town.” That seemingly small comment ignited a firestorm of diss tracks, responses, and escalating tensions between Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and multiple Memphis rap groups—most notably Three 6 Mafia.
This one line would echo through the streets of Memphis and set off a series of retaliatory measures. The comment painted Bone Thugs-N-Harmony as outsiders, and it didn’t sit well with the locals, who took pride in their gritty, raw, underground hip-hop culture. For the members of Three 6 Mafia, this was more than just an insult—it was a direct challenge to their credibility as the real representatives of Memphis rap.
Diss Tracks: The Battle Heats Up
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, ever the sharp lyricists, fired back with some of their own disses aimed at Three 6 Mafia and Memphis in general. However, it was Three 6 Mafia who truly leaned into the battle, using their dark, horror-influenced sound to craft some of the most memorable diss tracks in the rivalry.
Three 6 Mafia’s track “Live By Yo Rep” from their 1995 album “Mystic Stylez” was a clear response to Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, dissing the group’s hometown of Cleveland while claiming Memphis’ dominance in the rap scene. The track’s dark, eerie production, which had become a hallmark of Three 6 Mafia, laid the foundation for the feud to intensify, further cementing their underground status. The track was so popular, that they released an EP in November 1995 with the name of the single and in parathesis said (B.O.N.E. Dis) in big bold letters to let them know that it was Anna in the air.
A year later in November 1996, Tommy Wright III, another Memphis legend in his own right, dropped his own diss track aimed at Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, titled “Thuggish Ruggish Bustaz”, on his “On The Run” album. The track called out Bone Thugs for their style and their perceived lack of authenticity to the Memphis rap scene. Tommy Wright’s hard-hitting lyrics and street credibility made this another memorable moment in the ongoing war of words between Memphis and Cleveland. And in my opinion this was the best diss track bar none.
By 1999 the beef had essentially been marked dead, with the release of Project Pat’s Ghetty Green album in September of that year. On big letters on the cover it states “Featuring Layzie Bone” an obvious main member of Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony. They perfomred on the track “Out There”. Making it known to both Memphis and Hip-Hop that the beef was no longer.
The Confrontation at Verzuz: A New Chapter in the Rivalry
Fast forward to recent years, and the tension between Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Three 6 Mafia took on a new form during their rap battle on stage. In 2021, the two legendary groups faced off in a highly anticipated Verzuz battle, which brought the long-standing rivalry full circle. The battle was filled with nostalgia, classic tracks, and a celebration of each group’s contribution to hip-hop. However, it wasn’t without its drama.
Before even taking the stage there was some apparent drama between the two groups backstage. Whatever had occurred between them is unknown. However Gangsta Boo in an interview had stated that Bizzy Bone claimed that he did not have his “meds”. And that not having so was apparently a recipe for disaster. On top of that Bone Thugs had apparently requested yellow tape placed between the two groups. Marking a significant split and division between the two camps before the event had even begun.
Once the anticipated event finally began, tensions between Bizzy Bone and Three 6 Mafia boiled over quite quickly. After only 4 songs being played, Bizzy Bone, upset that DJ Paul & gangsta Boo had been slow-dancing in a way to mock the group during one of their songs. Quickly stated that “Before we even get started, you ugly muthafuckas not gon’ be mocking me when I’m on this muthafuckin’ stage. Like straight the fuck up.” Juicy J then immediately said “Nigga, suck my dick,”. Bizzy reacted right-away by throwing both a bottle and a microphone towards the direction of Three Six. Leading to a brief altercation when Three Six Mafia’s crew had begun rushing their part of the stage.
Most notably Computer from Adventures In Hollyhood and a lifetime friend of Juicy J managed to land a single punch towards a fleeing Bizzy Bone, before the brief altercation had ended. Security quickly intervened, and the situation was calmed down, but the incident highlighted the lingering bad blood between the two camps. Most notably from Bizzy Bone who admitted that he never considered the beef over.
The screen went to black for about 45 minutes to an hour, while the two crews worked it out behind the scenes. Bizzy Bone being obviously upset and “not on his meds” did not return for the duration of the show.
Despite this brief confrontation, the rap battle itself was a success, with both Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Three 6 Mafia delivering powerful performances of their iconic hits. After the event, members from both groups publicly acknowledged the history of their rivalry and seemed to express a mutual respect for each other’s legacy. Still, the brief on-stage confrontation reminded everyone that some rivalries run deep in hip-hop. And the confrontation and subseuquent perfromance also made it one of the biggest Hip-Hop moments of all time. As both legendary groups showcased their divers catalog of hits.
While Bone-Thugs-N-harmony does have the more mainstream appeal that Three Six Mafia Doesn’t have. Three Six Mafia’s crunk and upbeat party tunes definitely won the crowd over that night, in what many would consider a landslide victory for Three Six.
The Lasting Legacy of the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony & Three 6 Mafia Beef
Although the beef between Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Three 6 Mafia may have been full of diss tracks and drama, it ultimately played a pivotal role in the evolution of Southern hip-hop. The rivalry helped to solidify both groups as iconic forces in the genre, each with their distinct styles—Bone Thugs-N-Harmony from Cleveland, Ohiowith their harmony-driven, fast-paced flow, and Three 6 Mafia from Memphis, Tennessee with their gritty, dark, and menacing production.
Today, the two groups are widely respected for their contributions to hip-hop. Three 6 Mafia won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2006, while Bone Thugs-N-Harmony continues to be one of the most influential and unique groups in hip-hop history. Despite their past conflicts, both camps have managed to carve out their own legacies, leaving an indelible mark on the rap world.
The Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Three 6 Mafia beef may have been fueled by egos, competition, and pride, but it also showcased the raw competitive nature of hip-hop, where artists constantly push each other to new heights. Whether through their diss tracks, live confrontations, or mutual respect, the rivalry between these two legendary groups will forever be a defining chapter in the history of Hip-Hop
