GANGSTA BOO 1979 - 2023

KOOPSTA KNICCA feat. GANGSTA BOO - NOW I'M HI PT. 2

I coincidentally listened to Koopsta Knicca's Da Devil's Playground tape in the wee small hours last night, finding out afterwards via instagram that Gangsta Boo had died. Weird. Is this a slightly remixed version of Now I'm So Hi Part 2...I dunno...but it's fucking wicked. That early smoked out lo-fi Triple 6 sound and then the verses so nonchalantly delivered by the supreme Boo. I've noted several times over the years that the ladies rapping on 90s Memphis devil shit is the perfect combination like peanut butter & chocolate. Gangsta Boo is the queen of Memphis: The Original.

Boo w Scarecrow & Crunchy

I'm outa love with modern pop music which includes hip-hop but it's not Gangsta Boo's fault she influenced a bunch of less than interesting rap sell outs. Apparently she was actually well aware of her artistic impact, stating recently that she was the blueprint for current rap cadences female & male. And she's totally fucking correct! Her output is awesome without post context though. You don't need to measure her talent by what she influenced. Her recordings speak for themselves. She was often astounding. So RIP Gangsta Boo aka Lola Mitchell: You are legendary!

I'm sure many of you out there might be off hip-hop of late but that does not take away from the achievements of the great rap of the 80s & 90s. It became highly elevated pop art. The 90s Memphis style was one of the best, most unique and innovative. It still remains a cult underground thing to this day despite Boo having had platinum selling hits with Three Six Mafia and guesting on Outcast and Lil' Jon records. She most recently appeared on a Run The Jewels LP but Lady Boo's not a household name like the people who cribbed her style, commercialised it and are now world famous.

The Backyard Posse/Triple 6 Mafia/Three 6 Mafia crew are legendary. They were particularly noteworthy during the 1990s Memphis Rap Underground era, including all the 90s dark lo-fi affiliate mixtapes, albums and productions. Gangsta Boo was just 15 when she joined Three Six Mafia and was there droppin' verses for their run of albums from the cult classic debut Mystic Stylez in 95 to the million selling When The Smoke Clears in 00 (All the tracks posted on this page are from the lo-fi horror era when she was 15 or 16). 

THREE SIX MAFIA - I THOUGHT YOU KNEW

This! 

Dj Paul & Juicy J lay on the horror soundtrack samples adding extra menace to the creepiness of this pitch black ode to crime where Lady Boo is joined by Crunchy Black. The devil's daughter Gangsta Boo was only 15!

DJ PAUL & LORD INFAMOUS - GRAB DA GAUGE

The lo-fi psychedelic creepin horror of the early triple six mafia is so so good. DJ Paul & Kingpin Skinny Pimp kill their verses then Gangsta Boo just comes in and effortlessly nails her verse with her cold blooded deadpan flow. 

THREE 6 MAFIA - IN DA GAME

I mean what the actual fuck! This is peak rap attack craft. One of the most astonishing flows in tha game and despite Juicy J, Dj Paul & Scarecrow's best efforts Gangsta Boo cannot be outdone...immortal.

KINGPIN SKINNY PIMP - I DON'T LUV'EM

This is one of DJ Paul & Juicy J's strangest productions. It's a cosmic psych jam of proto-hypnagogic proportions. This scenario is an horrific peak inside the minds of three drug fuelled homicidal maniacs. The psychosis goes deep. It's another incredibly jaw-dropping delivery of a verse from Gangsta Boo. Skinny Pimp is the kingpin but who is the real kingpin? Know what I mean?