DJ Spanish Fly

Widely regarded as the godfather of Memphis Rap, DJ Spanish Fly created and perfected the city’s signature sound before the genre even had a name. His early tapes are some of the oldest known recordings in the scene—raw, hypnotic, and years ahead of their time. He laid the foundation for nearly every Memphis artist that followed, influencing generations with his unique blend of street narratives, eerie samples, and trunk-rattling beats.

Fly was incredibly prolific, releasing dozens of underground volumes, many of which were sold hand-to-hand, at gas stations, or through word of mouth. Sadly, a large portion of his catalog has been lost to time. Tapes like Vol. 32–38 and 43–45 have either never surfaced online or remain missing entirely. Because of that, what we do have is that much more valuable. The hunt continues—not just to archive his work, but to preserve a sound that helped shape Southern Hip-Hop from the ground up.

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 Sound

DJ Mutha-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 was in a lane of his own when it came to Memphis production in the 1990s. His sound was eerie, melodic, and ahead of its time—standing out even in a city full of underground innovators. He put out a deep catalog during the golden era, including some of Playa Fly’s most iconic work.

Under the Influence remains one of my favorite albums ever. From front to back, it’s filled with tracks that had the potential to chart nationally. The emotion, the production, the songwriting—it was all there. Blackout and his signature “psycho” sound captured something special, something timeless.

Even today, his beats still hit just as hard, and his influence can be heard in producers pushing the underground forward. His work will always be essential listening for real fans of Memphis rap.

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.

Orange Juice Click

This super underground crew outta Orange Mound was dropping straight heat back in the day, led by producer Chilly D. While they were one of many groups doing their thing in the early Memphis scene, their roots in Orange Mound helped them carve out a name and gain a solid local following.

Chilly D’s production could be hit or miss at times, but when it hit—it hit hard. His sampling style is what really set him apart, blending classic soul and funk in ways that gave their tapes a gritty but smooth sound. Orange Juice Click might not have had the widespread recognition of other acts, but they hold their own in the deep catalog of underground Memphis rap. Definitely worth digging into if you’re looking to explore the lesser-known gems from the era.

Lil Grimm

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.