Beginning in 1999, Smoked Out Music began compiling many of
Three 6 Mafia's previously released underground mix tape recordings as
Triple 6 Mafia on the multi-volume
Underground series. These tracks were originally released regionally back in the early '90s, predating
Triple 6 Mafia's name change to
Three 6 Mafia in 1995. As such, the tracks are very lo-fi and uncompromising, even for
Three 6 Mafia. It's perhaps most interesting to hear how the Memphis group would later reprise elements of these recordings. The first volume,
1991-1994, features such underground favorites as "Ridin' n' tha Chevy," "Now I'm High, Really High," "Where da Bud At," "Time for da Juice Mane," and "Fuck All Dem Hoes." If you're new to
Three 6 Mafia, these
Underground compilations aren't the place to initiate yourself; however, longtime fans curious to investigate the group's beginnings should find these recordings of particular interest. ~ Jason Birchmeier