What's good folks?! Within the South, your average person mentions Atlanta or Houston as the dominant city from the South. Atlanta being the most popular and Houston being the one with the richest legacy. Some others may mention Miami, with contributions such as Rick Ross, 2 Live Crew, and Trick Daddy as examples, but there are a few that may actually mention Tennessee, specifically Nashville or Memphis. The self-proclaimed "Volunteer State" hosts quite a formidable college basketball and football team, plus they're the home of the Memphis Grizzlies. They also have a legacy that may be almost as pronounced as Houston. The home of legends Three 6 Mafia and Eightball & MJG made Tennessee a state of notice, and made them another heavy contribution within the South. Without further ado, let's get into the best projects from this state.
15. MJG- No More Glory
Putting out three tremendously successful and influential albums with partner Eightball, MJG went for dolo on his debut effort, No More Glory. The album was draped in signature soul, blues, and funk, as we had already expected from MJG. Whether it was going for the radio with the Stevie Wonder-remake "That Girl" to the confrontational title track, MJG delivered an impressive debut solo outing and silenced any doubters or critics about if he could hold it down without his partner in rhyme.
14. Three 6 Mafia- When The Smoke Clears: Sixty-Six, Sixty One
Simply put, there is no Memphis without the notorious Three 6 Mafia. Gaining their first bit of national notoriety with Chapter 2: World Domination, it was a matter of time before they attacked the world, and they did just that with When The Smoke Clears: Sixty-Six, Sixty-One. Containing the anthems "Who Run It" and especially the UGK-assisted "SIppin' On Some Sizzurp", this album was their first taste of platinum, as well as more of an accessible sound. The Mafia had indeed arrived.
13. Eightball- Lost
Earlier we highlighted MJG and his debut solo album, No More Glory. As dope as that effort was, it was his partner's effort, Lost, that out-shined it. Eightball delivered an excellent double album that was a lot more of a hit than a miss, which can be quite tricky with double albums.The self-proclaimed "fat mack" had numerous standouts and guests on the release, plus showed that he, just like MJG, could put it down on his own for dolo and had a hell of a debut to show for it.
12. Yo Gotti- The Art Of Hustle
Memphis' Yo Gotti has been a serious grinder for many years. Primarily an underground sensation known for his mixtapes, Gotti had steadily been building a fan base by the project, and by the time his eighth album, The Art Of Hustle, hit, many felt he was bound for crossover appeal. This was the album that officially brought him a whole new audience, as his infectious hit "Down In The DM" succeeded in obtaining a new margin of fans, plus this became his most commercially successful album to date. Beefs with fellow Memphis native Young Dolph notwithstanding, his years of grinding and hustling paid off to where more people know who Yo Gotti is more than ever before.
11. Three 6 Mafia- Most Known Unknown
After going platinum and being being the first hip-hop act to ever win an Oscar Award for their contribution to the movie Hustle & Flow for "Hard Out Here For A Pimp", Juicy J, DJ Paul, and Crunchy Black were on a big time roll. Although a prison stint prohibited Lord Infamous from basking in the successes, he was with the guys in spirit, and their eighth album, Most Known Unknown, definitely continued their momentum. Arguably their most acclaimed album, the effort was a hard-hitter, and featured quite a number of guests such as Young Buck, Eightball & MJG, Paul Wall, and even Bow Wow on the cut "Side To Side". This album scored another platinum plaque for the squad and there was really, at this time, no stopping Three 6.
10. Eightball & MJG- Living Legends
Many were surprised when Diddy made the announcement that Eightball & MJG were joining his Bad Boy family, primarily Bad Boy South. Some were worried that their sound would be compromised for more radio spins and commercial appeal. However, with Living Legends, we were pleasantly surprised that not much had changed, just more polished and cohesive. Considered one of their best albums, the effort spawned some of their hardest cuts ever with "Don't Make Me" and "Don't Want Drama", plus spiting over some fiery production with guests such as T.I., Bun B, and Twista. The album went gold and showed that they were living up to the album's title undeniably.
9. Three 6 Mafia- Chapter 2: World Domination
The crew of DJ Paul, Juicy J, Koopsta Knicca, Lord Infamous, and Gangsta Boo had been maing lots of noise throughout Memphis and the South as a while as Triple 6 Mafia and releasing albums such as Smoked Out, Locced Out, Mystic Stylez, and Chapter One: The End (the latter two were released under Three 6 Mafia). They had created a new, darker sound than their Memphis counterparts Eightball & MJG. Subject matter dealt with death, drugs, and violence, with some rumors of Satanism attached as well. With Chapter 2, the crew turned their notoriety up with the riotous anthem, "Tear Da Club Up '97". This album was their first taste of gold and was the beginning of quite the career for the crew. God rest the dead Koopsta and Lord Infamous.
8. Tela- Piece Of Mind
Eightball & MJG weren't the only Suave House representatives to hold down Memphis, as newcomer Tela did the same. Led by the very dope, yet slept-on "Twisted", Tela's debut album, Piece Of Mind, was among the best albums delivered within the Suave House camp. He was better known for the strip club anthem with the aforementioned Eightball & MJG, "Sho Nuff" and "Tired Of Ballin", but there were more flaming cuts on this album. Although he was never able to deliver quite as hard with subsequent albums such as The World Ain't Enough and Now Or Never, Piece Of Mind was a debut to be proud of and introduced Tela to the game excellently.
7. Isaiah Rashad- Cilvia Demo
In 2013, we were introduced to TDE's first southern representative, Isaiah Rashad. Filled with promise and intrigue, he delivered his first effort, the EP, Cilvia Demo. A highly regarded and acclaimed project, we see Rashad in some of his personal and introspective. By the time the project is over, we completely see why TDE scooped this young Chattanooga native up, as this project showed that Rashad was a game player just based of lyricism and raw, natural talent. Although his best work came a couple of years later with The Sun's Tirade, Cilvia Demo was a fantastic introduction to his world and it was quite the interesting ride, but one we're not afraid to hop on again.
6. Young Buck- Buck The World
G-Unit's southern general Young Buck returned with the follow-up to his highly successful debut album, Straight Outta Cashville, Buck The World. Almost every bit as hard-hitting as his debut, he aimed to further diversify and expand his audience, much like the rest of G-Unit did with their sophomore albums like 50 (The Massacre) and Lloyd Banks (Rotten Apple). This would ultimately be his last album under the G-Unit banner, but with bangers like "Say It To My Face", "Hold On" and "Clean Up Man", he went out with a complete and total bang.
5. Isaiah Rashad- The Sun's Tirade
After quite the formidable debut with Cilvia Demo, Chattanooga's finest, Isaiah Rashad presented his debut full-length under the TDE banner with The Sun's Tirade. This album was an exceptional, albeit occasionally troubling and painful, look at Zay's internal struggles, especially his drug addiction, but also celebrates his triumphs and continues to find his place and his voice within this game. Talent stretched seven feet in front of him, Rashad's future looks tremendous, and based upon this album, there's no reason why we can't expect a classic album from him, and this one is pretty damn close.
4. Eightball & MJG- On The Outside Looking In
With their second album, On The Outside Looking In, Eightball & MJG started to gain more confidence with this sophomore album, and the tales of pimping, drugs, and the streets were every bit as vivid as their debut, Comin' Out Hard, if not more. The production on this album was very bluesy and soulful and became an album that showed the flourishing promise of who would become one of the game's most legendary duos. Never did an act, other than UGK, make pimping sound so good out the south.
3. Eightball & MJG- On Top Of The World
By '95, Eightball & MJG had become quite the name in the south and their rep was growing per album. They hit a new plateau with their third album, On Top Of The World, as they stick with the same formula of pimping, shit talking, riches, and the streets. Their most fluid album up to this point, these two saw their first hit with "Space Age Pimpin", but others such as the dope posse cut "Friend Or Foe" and the cautionary "Hand Of The Devil" make this album one of the single best within their discography and their name was steadily becoming bigger by the time.
2. Young Buck- Straight Outta Cashville
G-Unit was the undisputed squad in the early millennium. There's no denying 50 had his troops together. While his falling out with The Game was quite newsworthy, before then he was all in with the rest of the gang. They needed a southern representative, and they found him in Young Buck. This Nashville native had been featured on albums from 50 and Lloyd Banks, but it was his time for dolo with his debut, Straight Outta Cashville. One of the most genuinely knocking southern albums in recent memory, Buck aimed for the face the entire album practically. His delivery matched with his gangsta content over some exceptional production made this album not just one of the better G-Unit albums, but one of the best albums the south had produced in years.
1. Eightball & MJG- In Our Lifetime
After a few very dope albums, Eightball & MJG hit the pay dirt in '99 with their fourth album, In Our Lifetime. This was by far their most focused and cohesive album, and they were in full mode of establishing themselves as one of the most recognized duos in all of hip-hop. With appearances by Outkast and Cee-Lo, Eightball & MJG brought everything they knew with them, and elevated it to where it became easily the best album they had delivered and once and for all made them the legends they always saw themselves being. A playthrough from start to finish, these two earned their status and up until Living Legends became their most successful commercial album.
Honorable Mentions
Eightball & MJG- Space Age 4eva
Yo Gotti- I Am
Yo Gotti- Live From The Kitchen
Lil' Whyte- Phinally Phamous
Three 6 Mafia- Chapter One: The End
Various Artists- Hypnotize Minds Posse Vol. 1
Three 6 Mafia- Mystic Stylez
Tela- The World Ain't Enough
Juicy J- Stay Trippy
Young Dolph- King Of Memphis
As you can see, Tennessee has a legacy attached to it. With up-and-comers such as Young Dolph and Blac Youngsta still proclaiming Memphis as the next big city, and still plenty more local artists waiting for their chance to shine, Tennessee is very much a state that should be mentioned within the south as respected and very much acclaimed. Stay tuned to see what, and who, is next. Until next time!
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