Three 6 Mafia is an Oscar Award winning rap group from Tennessee formed in 1991, originally called Triple 6 Mafia.
The group released their horrorcore debut underground album Smoked Out, Loced Out in 1994 through Prophet Entertainment, a record label they created but have since relinquished control over. Their musical style—which initially featured dark, menacing beats with equally gritty lyrics—has since moved to a more mainstream sound. Nonetheless, they have cultivated a sizeable and diverse cult following that has only increased since their Oscar win. They have recently released their ninth studio album Last 2 Walk, which hit shelves June 24, 2008.
The Three 6 Mafia won the Academy Award for Best Song in 2006, becoming the first black music group to win the award, and the second rap act to win. They received the award for the song "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp" from the Hustle & Flow soundtrack.