DJ B.K.

At the very beginning of the Memphis rap scene, two DJs laid the foundation for the underground mixtape hustle: the legendary DJ Spanish Fly and DJ B.K. While Spanish Fly was putting his own songs on tapes as early as 1989–1991, DJ B.K. was not far behind, carving out his own lane in the city’s growing scene.

Unlike Fly, who leaned heavily into producing original tracks, B.K. started primarily as a mixer. Over time, however, he began creating more original breakbeats, often crafted from reworked elements of other artists’ songs. His most famous track, All Ho’s Eat Booty, appeared on Volume #44 in the spring of 1993 and became a local anthem.

As the Memphis mixtape scene evolved into fully original compositions in the mid-1990s, B.K. gradually stepped back. A new generation of younger producers and rappers, many of whom had grown up studying his tapes and learning from his grind, began taking over the sound. Still, DJ B.K.’s impact as one of the earliest hustlers of the cassette era can’t be overstated. He helped establish the blueprint for how Memphis rap would spread—one hand-to-hand tape at a time.

DJ Squeeky

Without DJ Squeeky, the Memphis Rap scene as we know it likely wouldn’t exist. A true pioneer, Squeeky was instrumental in shaping the raw, hypnotic sound that defined 90s Memphis—and his influence can still be heard in modern trap and Southern hip-hop production today.

Coming straight out of Orange Mound, Squeeky brought a polished yet aggressive sound to the underground, producing for legends like Eightball & MJG, Kingpin Skinny Pimp, and the entire 2 Thick crew. His tapes were among the most sought-after in the city, and his work ethic was unmatched—turning out beats, recording rappers, and running a full studio operation from a young age.

Squeeky has been producing full-time for over 30 years, and he’s never stopped evolving. While many remember him for his early street tapes, he’s gone on to work with mainstream artists like Yo Gotti, 2 Chainz, and Key Glock. Through it all, he’s remained a perfect example of what it means to be a real producer—versatile, consistent, and true to the sound he helped build.

DJ Zirk

DJ Zirk was the mastermind behind the GSP and 2 Thick crews, cementing his place as one of the architects of Memphis’s underground rap scene. A fierce DJ and respected producer, Zirk was instrumental in shaping the sound of the city during the early 1990s. He not only carved out his own lane with iconic releases like Mega Bass and 2 Thick, but also played a vital role in the rise of DJ Squeeky, lending his support and guidance in Squeeky’s early days. Together, the two would form one of the most legendary alliances in Memphis rap history — a blueprint that later inspired DJ Paul and Juicy J to unite and create their own powerhouse group, Three 6 Mafia.

What set DJ Zirk apart was his ability to balance the raw, dark edge of Memphis with a heavy, booming bass aesthetic that pushed tapes into new sonic territory. His productions were aggressive yet hypnotic, equally suited for blasting in cars or rattling club speakers, and his work with GSP and 2 Thick helped lay the foundation for the “crew” mentality that would define Memphis rap culture. By combining sharp DJ skills with visionary production, Zirk wasn’t just making tapes — he was building movements, leaving a legacy that influenced not just his peers, but the very structure of Memphis hip hop.

DJ Paul

DJ Paul emerged as part of the next generation of Memphis producers, bringing a darker, more cinematic edge to the underground sound. While earlier DJs like Spanish Fly and B.K. laid the foundation with raw mixtape blends, Paul sharpened the style with haunting melodies, heavy bass, and an unmistakable atmosphere that pushed Memphis rap into new territory. His production carried an eerie quality that became a defining trait of the city’s sound in the 1990s.

As a founding member of Three 6 Mafia, DJ Paul’s vision shaped some of the most influential underground tapes and mainstream releases to come out of Memphis. His ability to balance gritty street energy with polished, layered production not only set him apart from his predecessors but also helped define the blueprint for Southern hip-hop as a whole.

Juicy J

Before cementing his place as one of Memphis rap’s most iconic figures, Juicy J got his start DJing for 8Ball & MJG before branching off to release his own local mixtapes. His early tapes showcased a sharp ear for sampling and an energetic, fast-paced style that stood out from the darker, moodier sounds of his peers. Juicy J had a knack for blending party-ready beats with the raw edge of Memphis underground, making his sound both accessible and dangerous at the same time.

As co-founder of Three 6 Mafia alongside DJ Paul, Juicy J became a driving force in pushing Memphis rap from the streets to the mainstream. His distinct production approach, high-energy delivery, and ability to craft anthems that resonated far beyond Memphis set him apart from other DJs and producers of the era. Juicy J’s influence remains one of the key reasons why Memphis rap continues to echo through modern hip-hop.

Skinny Pimp & The Gimisum Family

Skinny Pimp came up under DJ Squeeky’s camp before linking with Three 6 Mafia, quickly proving himself as one of the most unique and versatile voices in Memphis. Beyond being a skilled rapper, he also built his own label and crafted beats, showing his independence and vision early on. What set him apart from his peers was his rapid-fire delivery and sharp lyrical precision, a style that was unlike anything else coming out of the city at the time.

Alongside his crew, the Gimisum Family, Skinny Pimp expanded his influence beyond the underground, laying a foundation that resonated far outside Memphis. His fast-paced style not only became a trademark in the city but also influenced the broader Southern rap scene, inspiring future generations of rappers. Skinny Pimp’s combination of hustle, innovation, and sheer talent cemented him as one of the most influential figures in Memphis rap history.

DJ Live Wire

One of the early architects of the Memphis underground sound, DJ Live Wire made his mark as both a DJ and a producer during the city’s formative years. Known for his sharp mixing skills and inventive use of drum patterns, he provided a foundation for the gritty, lo-fi aesthetic that would become a hallmark of Memphis rap. More than just a beatmaker, Live Wire was a connector—helping young rappers and producers find their voices while pushing the raw, street-level style of tapes that circulated throughout neighborhoods and car trunks.

What set DJ Live Wire apart was his influence behind the scenes. While he may not have achieved the same notoriety as some of his peers, his role in shaping the sound of talents like DJ Sound and others ensured his impact was lasting. His productions carried a unique energy—dark yet danceable—that gave aspiring artists the blueprint for crafting their own underground anthems. In many ways, DJ Live Wire was both a teacher and a trailblazer, leaving fingerprints all over the early Memphis scene.

DJ Sound

DJ Muda-Fuckin’ Sound from the legendary Frayser Click is hands-down one of my all-time favorite Memphis producers. His gritty, hardcore style of production and his ability to hold his own on the mic made him a true standout in the scene. Even though his career was relatively short-lived compared to others, his consistency and creativity left a deep mark on Memphis Rap history.

What sets DJ Sound apart is the raw energy and darkness of his beats—still unmatched to this day. His tapes featured a wide and diverse lineup of rappers, each adding their own flavor to his sinister sound. Projects like Volume 9: Negative Thoughts remain some of the most iconic and underrated underground hip-hop releases ever.

I’ll always appreciate what DJ Sound brought to the table creatively. He embodied everything that made Memphis rap great: lo-fi grit, hard-hitting beats, and a relentless DIY spirit.

Tommy Wright III

What can I say about Tommy Wright III that hasn’t already been said? He’s a pioneer—not just in Memphis rap, but in hip-hop as a whole. His lo-fi, rapid-fire production was years ahead of its time, and his lyrical style, paired with his crew at Street Smart Records, helped define an entire era of underground music.

Even decades later, Tommy’s influence still echoes. Mainstream artists like Beyoncé and countless others continue to sample his work, proof that his legacy has reached far beyond the Memphis streets where it all started. Despite the fame, he’s remained true to his roots—still performing raw, high-energy sets featuring tracks from tapes he made over 30 years ago.

No matter how you feel about Tommy Wright III or Street Smart Records, there’s no denying it: he’s a legend. A true blueprint for independent hustle, artistic vision, and longevity in the rap game.

Blackout

Blackout carved out one of the darkest and most haunting lanes in 1990s Memphis production. His beats were eerie, melodic, and atmospheric, often described as straight-up “psycho sounds.” Even in a city filled with underground innovators, Blackout’s style stood apart—creeping, cinematic, and undeniably ahead of its time. His catalog ran deep during the golden era, powering classics and elevating artists like Playa Fly with some of their most iconic work.

His masterpiece, Under the Influence, remains one of the finest examples of Memphis rap ever recorded. Every track carries the weight of national potential, blending raw emotion with sinister production and sharp songwriting. The mood Blackout captured on that project is timeless, and it continues to echo through today’s underground producers who draw from his eerie blueprint.

Blackout’s sound wasn’t just music—it was an atmosphere. For true fans of Memphis rap, his work will always stand as essential listening.

Criminal Manne

Coming up under the guidance of DJ Squeeky, Criminal Manne quickly established himself as one of Memphis’ most popular young rappers in the early 1990s. His raw street presence and sharp delivery made him a standout in a crowded underground scene, and his collaborations with Squeeky gave his music a polished yet hard-hitting edge that connected directly with local listeners. Criminal Manne embodied the gritty reality of Memphis street life, rapping with an authenticity that gave his tapes strong demand across neighborhoods and trunk-to-trunk hustles.

Unlike many of his peers, Criminal Manne managed to balance street credibility with mass appeal, making him one of the city’s first breakout rap personalities. Backed by Squeeky’s dark, bass-heavy production, he carved out a lane that helped define the sound of the era—both aggressive and catchy, with a sense of urgency that captured Memphis in its rawest form. His early success not only cemented him as a household name locally but also helped lay the groundwork for the wave of rappers that would follow in his footsteps.

Chilly D & The Orange Juice Click

Out of Orange Mound came Chilly D and The Orange Juice Click, a crew that thrived in the shadows of the Memphis underground. While not as widely recognized as some of their peers, their name carried weight locally thanks to a raw hustle and a distinctive sound that resonated with those deep in the scene.

Chilly D’s production was the backbone of the crew—sometimes rough around the edges, but always authentic. His sampling style drew heavily from soul and funk, creating a gritty yet smooth atmosphere that gave their tapes a unique flavor. Though The Orange Juice Click never reached mainstream recognition, they remain one of those hidden gems in Memphis rap history, a reminder of how deep and diverse the city’s underground catalog truly runs.

Shawty Pimp

It’s great to see artists like Shawty Pimp finally getting the recognition they deserve. His work has always stood out in the Memphis underground for its soulfulness, creative sampling, and raw energy. Shawty had one of the best ears for samples in the scene—digging deep into soul and funk cuts to create loops that still feel smooth and haunting today.

While his drum patterns might be simple, that minimalism became part of his signature sound. But what really sets Shawty Pimp apart is the way he recorded his music. Like many in the underground, he didn’t have access to high-end studios. Instead, he used a dual cassette deck to record his tracks live in one take—pressing in samples manually while rapping at the same time. That DIY style added to the raw charm and authenticity of his music.

If you’re new to Memphis rap, Shawty Pimp is the perfect entry point. His catalog captures both the grit and soul of the era, making him a key figure in understanding what made this scene so unique.

Project Pat

As Juicy J’s older brother, Project Pat brought a harder-edged street presence to the Memphis rap scene, carving out his own space with raw, unfiltered tales of hustling, survival, and the realities of the trap. While his younger brother leaned heavily into production and party-ready anthems, Pat’s gift was in his delivery—gritty, deliberate, and unmistakably Memphis. His verses painted vivid pictures of the environment he came from, grounding the larger Three 6 Mafia sound in authenticity and street credibility.

What set Project Pat apart was his ability to merge detailed storytelling with hypnotic flows, creating songs that resonated deeply with those who lived the struggle and fascinated those on the outside looking in. He became a key voice in shaping the “trap” side of Memphis rap before the term was widely recognized in mainstream hip-hop. His influence can still be heard today in the cadence and themes of countless southern rappers who followed his blueprint.

DJ Fela & DJ Pinky

As a formidable duo in the early Memphis underground, DJ Fela and DJ Pinky brought together two distinct neighborhoods and sounds. Fela, representing 3rd World Orange Mound, carried the raw energy and intensity of one of the city’s most notorious areas, while Pinky, holding it down for Frayser Ridgegrove, added his own flavor and regional identity. Together, they combined their styles into mixtapes that captured the true spirit of the city’s street culture, moving cassettes hand-to-hand and solidifying their reputations in the hustle.

What made them stand out was their balance of collaboration and individuality. Both DJs had their own followings, yet their partnership gave their work a unique edge that resonated across Memphis. Their tapes were not just about music but also about neighborhood pride, bridging different parts of the city through sound. In doing so, DJ Fela and DJ Pinky left their mark as a duo that represented the diversity and unity of the underground scene.

Lil Grim

Lil Grimm is a go-to favorite for fans of that dark, eerie, and hypnotic Memphis sound. His music dives deep into the horrorcore side of Memphis rap, with creepy melodies, low-fi grit, and sinister flows that make his tapes stand out in the scene. The more of his work that surfaces, the more obvious it becomes that Grimm deserves serious props—not just as a rapper, but as a producer with a real vision.

Each of his tapes feels like it has its own atmosphere, its own story to tell. He never repeated himself, and that creativity has made his catalog one of the most compelling for collectors and fans alike.

Nowadays, Grimm is still doing his thing—producing for major artists like Juicy J, while also focusing on family life. It’s dope to see someone from that era still active, respected, and staying true to his roots.

II Black

II Black was a self-sufficient force in the Memphis underground — a rapper and producer who carried his neighborhood of Mitchell Heights with pride on every tape he released. Unlike many of his peers who leaned on crews or collaborative production, II Black carved his own lane, handling both the beats and the rhymes with a raw, uncompromising approach. His independence gave his music a deeply personal edge, making each tape feel like a direct line to his corner of the city.

What made II Black stand out was his dedication to showcasing Mitchell Heights as more than just a backdrop — it was central to his identity, woven into his lyrics and sound. His production carried the same dark, gritty energy that defined Memphis rap, but his lyrical delivery emphasized street realism and neighborhood pride. In a scene dominated by collectives, II Black’s ability to hold his own spotlight made him a unique voice, a one-man operation who embodied the do-it-yourself spirit of the Memphis underground.

M.D.B.

M.D.B. carved out his reputation with an unmistakably dark and aggressive sound that pushed the boundaries of Memphis rap. His production leaned heavily on hard-hitting drums layered with ominous, eerie samples, creating a backdrop that was as menacing as it was hypnotic. Every tape he touched carried that signature atmosphere, instantly recognizable to anyone deep into the underground.

What truly set M.D.B. apart was the lyrical content he brought to the table. The rappers on his tapes didn’t just flirt with darkness — they dove headfirst into it, delivering verses about hard drugs, extreme violence, and even satanic themes. This combination of relentless beats and uncompromising subject matter made M.D.B. a pure embodiment of the dark Memphis sound, representing one of its most extreme and haunting expressions.

Three 6 Mafia

Three 6 Mafia, founded in 1994 by DJ Paul and Juicy J, stand as the most iconic rap group to emerge from Memphis. Known for their dark, sinister beats, eerie samples, and aggressive flows, they pioneered the horrorcore style while blending it seamlessly with Southern street anthems. Their underground tapes shaped the Memphis sound of the early ’90s, and by the 2000s they had broken into the mainstream with platinum-selling albums and unforgettable club hits.

What set Three 6 Mafia apart was their ability to stay raw while reaching global audiences. They became the first hip-hop group to win an Academy Award with It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp in 2006, cementing their place in music history. Beyond awards, their sound influenced generations of artists — from crunk and trap to today’s chart-topping rap — proving their legacy is as enduring as it is groundbreaking.