Rapper Three 6 Mafia dies at 43

Gangsta Boo, the pioneering rapper who made her teenage debut in Three 6 Mafia, has died aged 43.

The hip-hop star (real name Lola Mitchell) died Sunday in Memphis, Tennessee, the rapper’s reps at Echoing Soundz confirmed in a press release.

“The Mitchell family would like to thank everyone for their condolences regarding the untimely death of Lola ‘Gangsta Boo’ Mitchell. The family asks for your continued prayers and privacy as we process the loss of our loved one,” her mother said. Veronica Mitchell. and the family.

The press release adds: “Due to the ongoing investigation, details regarding the cause of death have not been released.”

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DJ Paul, one of the founding members of Three 6 Mafia, took to social media to pay tribute to Mitchell on Sunday, with a wordless message from Mitchell to the turntable mixer. Ludacris, Big Boi, 2 Chainz and Lil Jon, among others, shared their condolences in the comments.

Mitchell – also known as “the Queen of Memphis” or “Lady Boo” – as a hip-hop ambassador for Memphis began with her work on Three 6 Mafia’s first full-length studio album. , “Mystic Stylez”, in 1995. She recorded several albums with Three 6 Mafia before parting ways with the group following the 2001 release of her second solo album, “Both Worlds *69”. His many collaborations include featured appearances with OutKast, Foxy Brown, Yo Gotti and Run the Jewels.

And although his success is associated with Three 6 Mafia, his solo work has held firm. In 1998, she released “Enquiring Minds”, which included the hit “Where Dem Dollars At?!”

His three solo albums are ranked on the R&B charts. A steady stream of mixtapes and collaborations have kept his name in play throughout his nearly three-decade career.

A week before his death, Mitchell filmed an unreleased “Imma Mack” video for producer Drumma Boy’s latest album “Welcome to my City Vol. 4,” according to the press release regarding his death.

In a statement, the producer and fellow Memphis native said, “Gangsta Boo was like a sister to me and spoke to the world about me like my blood brother did. We are both Leos and share the same energy for unity and seeing people happy!”

“It’s such a devastating loss because she always wanted to see others win! RIP to the Queen of Memphis, my sister forever,” Drumma Boy (real name Christopher James Gholson) added.

As one of the first major female rappers representing the South, she shone the spotlight on those who came up behind her, including GloRilla (aka Gloria Woods), the latest Memphis rapper to capture national attention with hits. as “FNF”

Last fall, Mitchell appeared on the “Drink Champs” podcast and talked about rising stars from GloRilla and Memphis rapper Gloss Up.

“It just felt good to me, because they turned out badly and they represented Memphis well,” Mitchell said.

On Sunday evening, Woods shared screenshots of what she said were conversations between her and Mitchell.

“She was always supportive of me and the girls before we broke up,” Woods said.

Rapper Al Kapone (aka Alphonzo Bailey), Mitchell’s friend and collaborator, described his death as a profound loss for Memphis. Mitchell, he told the Commercial Appeal, let her know early on what his own style and influence meant to her.

“Boo was one of the first to represent female rappers in a major way and is still respected by new female rappers today,” he said. “Gangsta Boo is one of the reasons Memphis rap is global today.”

Prior to Mitchell’s death, Billboard asked her to describe her legacy or impact on women’s rap, hip-hop, and in general.

“I have to respectfully and humbly admit that I’m the role model. I hear my cadence from a lot of rapping men and women. … I wear this badge proudly,” she told the outlet. “It feels good to stand up and look in the mirror and be like, ‘Wow, you did that.’ “

Contributor: Kim Willis, Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY

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