The Ultimate Guide on Memphis' Underground Hip-Hop Scene

When people talk about the roots of hip-hop, cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta often dominate the conversation. But true connoisseurs know that Memphis, Tennessee, has long been an influential—if sometimes unsung—pillar in hip-hop culture. Especially its underground scene, which has shaped the soundscape of modern rap and continues to influence artists worldwide. This guide will walk you deep into the gritty, soulful world of Memphis' underground hip-hop: its history, its unique sound, its heroes, and its future.

The Roots of Memphis Hip-Hop

Memphis has always been a city steeped in music. From the Delta blues to the soul sounds of Stax Records, creativity drips from its sidewalks. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the city had birthed a new, distinct genre of hip-hop that wasn't concerned with fitting into coastal molds.

What set Memphis apart from the beginning was its rawness. Artists recorded tracks in makeshift studios, using basic equipment. The production was lo-fi, the beats were heavy, and the lyrics were often sinister, reflecting the street realities of a city grappling with poverty, crime, and systemic neglect. This was music made by the streets, for the streets, without concern for mainstream acceptance.

One of the earliest and most important groups to emerge was Three 6 Mafia. Before they gained national fame, they were part of a sprawling underground network of artists trading tapes, selling CDs out of car trunks, and building cult-like followings.

The Sound of the Underground

Memphis underground hip-hop is characterized by several distinct features:

• Lo-Fi Aesthetics: Unlike the polished sounds of mainstream hip-hop, early Memphis rap embraced the imperfections. Crackling microphones, distorted basslines, and DIY beats gave it a haunting texture.

• Fast Hi-Hats and Dark Beats: The now-famous "triple hi-hat" rolls that you hear in modern trap music can trace their lineage straight back to Memphis producers.

• Horrorcore Influences: Memphis rappers frequently delved into horror-themed lyrics—murder, mayhem, supernatural elements—set against eerie beats. This style, later popularized by groups like Three 6 Mafia, laid the foundation for the horrorcore subgenre.

• Chopped and Screwed: While Houston's DJ Screw is rightly credited with inventing the "chopped and screwed" sound, Memphis DJs like DJ Squeeky and DJ Spanish Fly were early experimenters in slowing down tracks to create hypnotic, woozy atmospheres.

• Relentless Hustle Mentality: Memphis artists often adopted a direct-to-fan approach. Tape trading, word-of-mouth marketing, and local performances were crucial to survival and growth.

Underground Kings: Legends Who Built the Scene

DJ Spanish Fly is often hailed as the godfather of Memphis rap. In the late 1980s, he began mixing live sets on local radio and in clubs, blending hip-hop with horror movie sound effects and slowed-down beats. His influence on later artists cannot be overstated.

Three 6 Mafia started in the underground with chilling tracks like "Mystic Stylez." DJ Paul, Juicy J, and Lord Infamous formed the nucleus of the group, later bringing in Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo, and Koopsta Knicca. Their early music was raw and unfiltered, becoming a blueprint for both Southern hip-hop and horrorcore.

Other critical figures include:

• Tommy Wright III: A true pioneer, his rapid-fire flows, grim beats, and no-holds-barred storytelling made him a Memphis underground legend. His 1994 album On the Run is still revered by hip-hop heads today.

• Playa Fly: Formerly affiliated with Three 6 Mafia, Playa Fly ventured out solo, producing some of the most emotionally honest and lyrically dense work in the Memphis scene.

• Gangsta Pat: One of the first Memphis rappers to secure a major label deal, yet he maintained his gritty underground credibility.

• Lil Noid and Kingpin Skinny Pimp: Two other names synonymous with Memphis’ relentless, grimy style.

DIY Culture: How the Underground Thrived

Before digital streaming, underground Memphis artists had to physically hustle. Tapes were dubbed at home and sold hand-to-hand at car shows, record stores, or directly on the streets. Bootleg tapes and unauthorized compilations often helped artists' names spread farther than any formal marketing could.

Local clubs like Club Memphis, Club Nocturnal, and later The Plush Club were vital performance venues where upcoming rappers could test new material live. Battles were brutal, audiences were unforgiving, and only the toughest survived.

Radio stations were hesitant to play underground rap, so pirate radio and self-promoted house parties became essential platforms. This forced artists to be not only performers but entrepreneurs—handling marketing, distribution, and promotion themselves.

The Influence on Modern Hip-Hop

Today’s hip-hop landscape is steeped in sounds pioneered by Memphis’ underground.

• The triple-time hi-hat patterns that dominate trap beats were innovated by Memphis producers long before Atlanta made them a commercial staple.

• The dark, minimalistic beats heard in today’s drill and trap music have clear echoes of early Memphis recordings.

• Artists like A$AP Rocky, Denzel Curry, and XXXTentacion have cited Memphis rappers as key influences.

• Even mainstream superstars like Drake have dipped into the Memphis sound. His father, Dennis Graham, is from Memphis, and Drake often references the city’s musical heritage.

Moreover, the spirit of DIY hustle—owning your masters, self-marketing, direct fan engagement—is now standard in the age of SoundCloud and TikTok. Memphis artists were doing it decades earlier.

Modern-Day Underground Titans

While some Memphis artists have crossed over into mainstream fame, a thriving underground still exists, evolving with the times while staying true to its roots.

Duke Deuce represents a modern bridge between old and new Memphis. His high-energy style and homage to classic crunk sounds have made him a standout.

Other notable underground artists include:

• Big Moochie Grape and Key Glock: Both affiliated with Paper Route Empire, the label founded by the late great Young Dolph, they embody the new Memphis hustle.

• Lil Wyte: Though he gained national fame, he still maintains deep roots in the underground scene.

• Don Trip and Starlito: While technically from Tennessee, their raw storytelling and independent hustle carry the Memphis underground ethos.

Glorilla, while ascending to national fame quickly, cut her teeth in the rough-and-tumble underground scene, showing how Memphis continues to produce hard-hitting, authentic talent.

Essential Mixtapes and Albums

If you want to truly understand Memphis underground hip-hop, you need to listen to:

• DJ Spanish Fly – Volumes 1-3: Raw, slow, and grimy.

• Three 6 Mafia – Mystic Stylez (1995): A haunting masterpiece.

• Tommy Wright III – On the Run (1994): Furious flows and grimy beats.

• Playa Fly – Movin’ On (1998): Southern storytelling at its finest.

• Project Pat – Ghetty Green (1999): Bridging underground grit with major label polish.

Also, dig into local compilations like "Underground Volume 1 & 2" from Hypnotize Minds to hear a variety of Memphis sounds in one place.

The Culture Beyond Music

Memphis hip-hop isn't just about music; it's a whole culture. The underground scene gave birth to unique fashion styles—oversized jerseys, gold grills, bandanas, and sagging jeans were standard long before they hit the mainstream.

Car culture was also tied deeply to the music. Custom-painted Chevy Caprices, candy-painted Cutlasses, booming trunk speakers—it was all part of the Memphis hip-hop identity.

Moreover, Memphis hip-hop has always had a raw authenticity. Artists didn’t shy away from rapping about personal struggles, loss, street violence, or social issues. While some criticized the genre for glorifying violence, others saw it as a cathartic reflection of reality.

Challenges the Scene Faced

Despite its cultural contributions, the Memphis underground scene faced serious hurdles:

• Lack of Industry Infrastructure: Without major record labels, studios, or management companies in the city, many artists had to leave Memphis to find national success.

• Violence: Tragically, street violence claimed the lives of many young talents before they could fully realize their potential.

• Stereotyping: Some outside the South dismissed Memphis rap as too violent or simplistic, ignoring its complexity and artistry.

• Limited Media Exposure: Unlike cities with bigger media hubs, Memphis artists often struggled to gain mainstream press coverage.

Despite these obstacles, Memphis' underground hip-hop persisted—and ultimately helped shape the very DNA of global rap culture.

The Future of Memphis Underground Hip-Hop

Today, with social media, streaming platforms, and greater industry recognition, Memphis' underground scene is poised for another renaissance.

Young artists are fusing old-school grit with new-school polish. They're collaborating across regions, embracing new sounds without forgetting their roots.

Organizations and community initiatives are springing up to support young talent, offering studio time, business training, and performance opportunities that previous generations never had.

Memphis hip-hop is now in a unique position: respected by the mainstream but still fiercely independent. And the underground? It’s still thriving—just as dirty, raw, and soulful as ever.

Final Thoughts on Hip-Hop in Memphis

Memphis underground hip-hop is not just a subculture—it's a movement. A force that pushed the boundaries of sound, storytelling, and entrepreneurship in hip-hop. It's where the dark corners of life find expression over thundering bass, triple-time hi-hats, and haunted melodies.

If you ever get the chance to visit Memphis, skip the tourist traps. Find a local show, hit up a late-night studio session, or talk to someone who's lived the hustle. You'll discover that beneath the city's historic exterior beats the rebellious, unstoppable heart of underground hip-hop.

And once you hear it, you’ll never forget it.

Lateef Warnick is the founder of Onassis Krown. He currently serves as a Senior Healthcare Consultant in the Jacksonville FL area and is a Certified Life Coach, Marriage Counselor, Keynote Speaker and Author of "Know Thyself," "The Golden Egg" and "Wear Your Krown." He is also a former Naval Officer, Licensed Financial Advisor, Insurance Agent, Realtor, Serial Entrepreneur and musical artist A.L.I.A.S.