By the time this sees print, Wabash will have only one day to learn enough Three 6 Mafia songs so that they don’t look like “that guy” mouthing the words in a corner.
The Academy Award and Oscar-winning group will be beating down the walls of Chadwick Court, captivating Wabash men and an untold number of guests to a truly different experience for the campus.
An interesting choice that completely reverses the recent trend of 90’s era punk bands and the incredibly boring (and insulting) Ben Folds, Three 6 Mafia stands as a fresh alternative. After the unexpected mellow piano keys of the fall, Wabash has beckoned for something with a little bit more flavor. And that’s exactly what it will get.
DJ Paul and Juicy J are the only remaining members, oftentimes calling in favors from other acclaimed hip-hop artists to fully flesh out their sound. The most recently acclaimed single, “Feel It,” features über DJ Tiësto layering thumping beats to trumpeting synths, while occasionally altering vocals with technotronic distortions. Former members Lord Infamous, Koopsta Knicca, Gangsta Boo, and Crunchy Black occasionally drop by, but the group’s fallout has proven quite strong.
The rap group specializes in hardcore obscenities, as most of their songs interpret the much-maligned “thug-life” and gritty lyrics against pounding beats. Each verse circles between the ever-changing lineups, creating a merry-go-round of vocal talent. Most of their songs center around topics that I can’t mention here (you should know what that means), yet a few get to the core of their mantra.
This includes their Academy Award and Oscar winning song, “Hard Out Here for a Pimp.” Yes, that song won an award with that title. It is the proud recepient of the “Best Original Song,” the only showing vividly detailing the mean streets and tough times that every player goes through.
The smooth rhythm and snare rampantly echo behind biting lyrics depicting the “harsh life” of pimps. Of course, since the awards, Three 6 Mafia has been sure to drop their critically acclaimed titles in almost every new single. Yet, any song that can successfully prove that life is indeed difficult for a prostitution-driving ringleader certainly deserves an award of some kind.
The group’s eight album, Most Known Unknown is their second platinum showing, and also their most popular. Featuring the ultimate bro anthem “Poppin’ My Collar,” the album has shown incredible staying power, as it is still the most frequently bought album.
Despite a turn towards traditional rap and a dance-party driven chorus line, Three 6 Mafia still remains the original moguls of obscene hip-hop. With an almost unending catalog of songs, the band could throw the best concert in recent memory.
While a new direction for Wabash National Acts, Three 6 Mafia certainly has what it takes to deliver a fantastic performance. So long as there are no sassy comments about the “farmer audience,” or complaints about the venue as our last guest promptly threw out, this should be an epic concert packed with people. And at that point, life will be just fine for any Wabash man.
