Three 6 Mafia's Juicy J Runs Down His Favorite Oscar Songs

By Keith Murphy Posted Feb 25th 2011 02:20PM

It was one of the most improbable moments in the history of the Academy Awards. There they were, Three 6 Mafia, the brazenly hardcore, controversial rap act from Memphis, Tenn., accepting the 2006 Best Original Song Oscar for their no-nonsense track 'It's Hard Out For A Pimp.' For longtime group members Juicy J and DJ Paul, who first snatched national infamy with their two-fisted 1995 anthem 'Tear The Club Up,' it was a stunning, surreal triumph.

"Man, I couldn't believe it," Juicy recalls to PopEater of the moment Three 6's name was called for the sobering 2005 street film 'Hustle & Flow.' "Three 6 Mafia had never won anything. We were just an underground group from Memphis. We didn't have a speech ready because we didn't think we were going to win. We were on our way to the bar, and the people were telling us, 'Hey ... wait up for a second. You can't just leave because you will be on camera when they read the nominations.' You could tell by the look on our faces that we were shocked!"

PopEater asked the gregarious Three 6 Mafia frontman to offer his favorite Oscar musical wins. From the late Isaac Hayes to Eminem -- it's on with the show!

"People always ask me, where do I keep my Oscar? I keep it in a safe," Juicy said. "It's not in the living room collecting dust. It's all shined up and in a secure place. That Oscar represents the best moment of my life."

These days, Juicy and the boys are still getting used to the realities of achieving Hollywood's ultimate glory. "I'm still partying today off of that Oscar," Juicy laughs. With a new album 'Laws of Power' featuring Gucci Mane, pop production maven Dr. Luke and Sean Kingston set for release this summer, the boys remain in peak form.

'Theme From Shaft,' Isaac Hayes ('Shaft,' Best Original Song, 1972)

"Man, when that 'Shaft' song comes on, you can feel it without even watching the movie. It's one of those recognizable songs that when you hear the beginning of that guitar riff you instantly know what it is. It makes you feel like you are actually Shaft! (Laughs) It deserved that Best Song award, and it's one of my all-time favorite records. Wasn't Isaac Hayes the [first African-American] to win this award? That's why, hands down, 'Shaft' is a great statement. Hip-hop producers have always sampled Isaac Hayes because he has that Memphis pimping sound. His music makes you think of those big, long Cadillacs or the Lincolns with the suicide doors. It's that great '70s soul that will always be around."

'Up Where We Belong,' Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes ('An Officer and a Gentleman,' Best Original Song, 1983)

"I still hear this song today. This is a really a happy song. When you have a song that's a huge hit that you can play anywhere like in the elevator, the bathroom, the store, the school ... anywhere, it will always be around."

'Purple Rain,' Prince ('Purple Rain,' Best Original Score and Song, 1985)

"The 'Purple Rain' song, album and movie were just crazy. Everything Prince did was a smash. I like the long version of 'Purple Rain' because of the guitar solo. He's coming from the soul; you feel him with every note. Like I said before, it's one of those songs that will always be around. And the success of the movie was a no-brainer. All you needed was Prince and no dialogue. (Laughs) During that time, nobody could touch him. I wish I made this song."

'(I've Had) The Time of My Life,' Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes ('Dirty Dancing,' Best Original Song, 1987)

"When you think about the lyrics to '(I've Had) The Time of My Life' everybody growing up can relate to it. At some point, everyone has had the best time of their life -- young and old, black and white ... everybody. Now you see the Black Eyed Peas covering it, and that's perfect for them because anytime they do a show or their music comes on they give you that same positive feeling like they did with 'Let's Get It Started.' It's right in the Peas club music lane. For a song to still have that kind of impact years later is incredible."

'My Heart Will Go On,' Celine Dion ('Titanic,' Best Original Song, 1997)

"I think people gravitated to this song because of Celine Dion's voice. They had to because 'Titanic' was such a sad-ass movie. But the song touched people. And that all comes back to Celine Dion's voice, which is seriously great, man. That's why she still is getting $100 million to perform in Las Vegas. (Laughs) She is still getting them big bucks today."

'Lose Yourself,' Eminem ('8 Mile,' Best Original Song, 2002)

"I remember when Eminem won the Oscar for 'Lose Yourself.' That was a big moment for rap; I couldn't even believe it because this was a hip-hop song. But what was really gangsta about Eminem winning was that he didn't even show up! For him to get nominated and win and not even show up to the Academy Awards? Wow! That Eminem win was just insane. I felt the same way when [Three 6 Mafia] won. We sold a gold record here and a platinum record there, but we had never done anything big like that."

Tags: juicy j, oscars, Three 6 Mafia

Comments

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Friday 25 February

By Sekinu2

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I'd like them to ask Juicy J when the real 3 6 mafia crew will put out a new album. The originals crew granted yes Juicy and his Bro Lord Infamous are the founder but when will they pair back with Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo and Koopsta Knicca and make a real Three Six Mafia release thats what original fans would love to see. Maybe even find Skinny Pimp, Gangsta Blac and bring back that dark orange mounds sound.

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