A sea of camera phones. A gaggle of scantily-clad women on stage. The smell of weed. Yes, it’s the traditional trinity of hip-hop shows, and it was no different for Three 6 Mafia’s headlining slot at Stubb’s last night, part of Hot 93.3’s Meltdown 2007. Although the set was more a medley of songs – some chopped disappointingly short right in the middle – DJ Paul and Juicy J gave the crowd what they wanted to hear, which was “Poppin’ My Collar,” “Slob On My Knob,” “Sippin’ On Syrup,” “Ridin’ Spinners,” “Tear Da Club Up,” “Stay Fly,” and the song that won the Memphis duo an Oscar, “It’s Hard Out Here For a Pimp.” This was all in 30 minutes.
It’d be impossible, what with their immense, decade-spanning catalog, to squeeze and please everyone (i.e. me) by playing something from, say, the Choices album (i.e. “2-Way Freak,” “Baby Mama”) but they made up for it with the little things: bowel-shaking bass, DJ Paul’s stylish studded leather glovette/kerchief combo, and two male backup dancers who were popping and locking, mirroring what seems to be a current dance renaissance in hip-hop. Watch them feet.
Even the two guys with Insane Clown Posse facepaint were grinding, though not on each other. More photos above.
This article appears in September 28 • 2007.