The “Gangsta Walk” & the Rise of Memphis Rap
When talking about Southern Hip-Hop—and Hip-Hop in general—there’s always one city and subgenre that remains criminally overlooked: the raw, gritty, and violent world of 1990s Memphis Rap.
If you’re here, you probably already know some of the history behind this scene. But for those new to it, Memphis Rap can be traced back as early as the mid to late 1980s, when local acts like 8Ball & MJG, DJ Spanish Fly, and DJ Zirk started beatboxing and rapping at school, parties, and in their neighborhoods. According to Zirk, back then, DJ Squeeky used to rap alongside MJG—both of whom are from the historic Orange Mound neighborhood.
Also, according to Zirk, a rapper named Marcus B, also from Orange Mound, is allegedly the first person in Memphis to rap about “gangsta shit.” While very little information about Marcus B survives, it’s clear that the roots of hardcore Memphis Rap were already beginning to take hold.
As the 1990s arrived, two tracks from two different artists would end up setting the tone for the Memphis sound moving forward: “Get Buck” by Pretty Tony and “Gangsta Walk” by DJ Spanish Fly. After these records dropped, local legends like Spanish Fly, DJ B.K., and Young Lo began selling tapes hand-to-hand—out of trunks, in corner stores, at barbershops, tire shops, and gas stations. They were the first artists in the city to make real money off of selling rap tapes locally.
By 1994, the underground scene had exploded. Dozens of DJs, producers, and rappers were out grinding, trying to make a name and some fast cash. Artists like Tommy Wright III, DJ Sound, and DJ Paul began producing grimy, DIY tapes that would become cornerstones of the genre. Intense rivalries began forming—most notably between DJ Paul and DJ Squeeky, after Paul started sampling work from Squeeky and DJ Zirk. That sparked a beef that, in many ways, still hasn’t died down even today.
While the drama and conflicts make for wild stories, the true heart of Memphis Rap lies in its raw passion and hustle. These artists were selling $5–$10 tapes, often recorded with minimal equipment, while still in high school. That grind—the ability to make something iconic with almost nothing—is what makes Memphis Rap so special. It’s grassroots, it’s rebellious, and it’s real.
To many fans (myself included), Memphis Rap is the most unique and influential subgenre in Hip-Hop—one that deserves way more recognition than it gets.
