Podcast Summary: Dumb Blonde - Episode with DJ Paul: Three 6 Mafia Lore & New Music
Introduction In this episode of the Dumb Blonde podcast, hosted by Bunnie XO of Dumb Blonde Productions, DJ Paul from Three 6 Mafia joins as a special guest. The conversation delves deep into DJ Paul's illustrious career, personal life, real estate ventures, and his journey toward sobriety. Skipping over the initial advertisements, the episode offers listeners an unfiltered look into the man behind the music.
1. Life on the Road and Touring Challenges
Timestamp: [03:45]
DJ Paul expresses his enthusiasm about having his close friend and collaborator, referred to as his "bubba," on the show. They reminisce about the challenges of organizing a road tour, highlighting the logistical hurdles and conflicting priorities that often derail plans.
- DJ Paul: "I'm ready, I'm ready to do the tour, man. We're going to, we're talking about it. But every time I try to go do a frickin on the road tour, somebody's like, no, you got to do this before."
The guest shares a memorable incident from a concert in West Memphis, Arkansas, where a hostile crowd threw skates at them, escalating to threats of violence.
- Guest: "Somebody in the crowd had thrown a skate at us... Crunchy turned around and pulled out a gun... I told everybody that I meet about you. They're just like, he's such a gag. He's so gangster."
Despite the tension, DJ Paul emphasizes the mutual respect and genuine camaraderie between the members, showcasing their ability to reconcile and maintain strong bonds.
2. Real Estate Investments and Financial Wisdom
Timestamp: [07:31]
The guest discusses his foray into real estate, highlighting significant investments that have appreciated substantially over time.
- Guest: "I bought a house in Vegas for $550,000 in the late 2000s. Now their house is worth $3 million."
He critiques emerging real estate trends like "Forever Rentals," expressing concern over properties that can only be rented indefinitely without the possibility of ownership.
- Guest: "When you want to live in them, you got to rent it for the rest of your life. You'll never have equity in house."
DJ Paul echoes these sentiments, stressing the importance of investing in tangible assets like real estate over transient ventures.
- DJ Paul: "You can't put all your eggs in one basket. I would never put all my eggs in the music business basket."
3. Early Life and Influences in Memphis
Timestamp: [18:27]
Growing up in Memphis during the 80s and 90s, the guest paints a vivid picture of his environment, rife with organized crime and a love for horror movies. These experiences significantly shaped his musical style and personal outlook.
- Guest: "I grew up in Memphis in the 80s and 90s, and the 80s and 90s were elite. Yeah, it was the best."
Exposure to rock music, especially bands like Van Halen, influenced the raw and energetic beats that Three 6 Mafia would later become known for.
- Guest: "We were just into horror movies... I grew up on rock music and I think that's what contributed to making the Three Six Mafia sound."
4. Music Creation and the Evolution of Three 6 Mafia
Timestamp: [33:09]
The conversation shifts to the creative process behind Three 6 Mafia, emphasizing the collaboration between DJ Paul and Juicy J. They discuss the origins of their group name, inspired by a lyric from Lord Infamous, and how it propelled them into the spotlight.
- Guest: "Lord Infamous has said Triple Six Mafia in a song... I just started sampling Triple Six Mafia and they became really popular with us."
Their dedication during high school, selling mixtapes and leveraging school as a distribution hub, was pivotal in their rise to fame.
- Guest: "The school was my distribution... Those old cassette tapes spread all over the world."
DJ Paul highlights their strategic approach to music, blending crunk elements with dark, horror-inspired themes to create a unique sound.
- DJ Paul: "Just watch, this was it."
5. Achievements and Legacy
Timestamp: [55:57]
The discussion touches upon the significant milestones Three 6 Mafia achieved, including winning an Oscar for their contribution to the Hustle & Flow soundtrack before securing any Grammy Awards.
- Guest: "We won an Oscar way before we won a Grammy... Now I'm the only person in Three Six Mafia that won a Grammy."
DJ Paul acknowledges the rarity and prestige of Grammy wins, emphasizing their hard-earned success.
- DJ Paul: "There's some people who go their entire careers and never get a Grammy... you have five. Like, that speaks volumes for your talent."
6. Personal Growth and Sobriety
Timestamp: [81:50]
A poignant segment where the guest opens up about his journey toward sobriety, detailing his battles with alcohol and drugs.
- Guest: "I'm a year and three months sober... the hardest drug I ever did was cocaine."
He recounts the detrimental effects of substance abuse on his personal and professional life, including missed opportunities and strained relationships.
- Guest: "Alcohol just makes so many bad decisions... Next thing you know, it's three days of not feeling like myself."
DJ Paul shares his own experiences, underscoring the transformative power of sobriety.
- DJ Paul: "Sobriety is the hardest but most rewarding journey that you'll be on... once you get that far away from it, you're just like, how was I this person before?"
7. Future Projects and Ventures Beyond Music
Timestamp: [100:27]
The guest discusses his entrepreneurial endeavors, notably the establishment of his restaurant, The Hideaway on Rodeo Drive. He highlights the challenges of securing permits in Beverly Hills and the strategic design choices that make the venue exclusive and celebrity-friendly.
- Guest: "The Hideaway... the only restaurant on Rodeo Drive... it's upscale Latin with dishes like wagyu tacos."
Additionally, he outlines his ambitious plans to release new music consistently, leveraging archival beats from the 90s and collaborating with artists like Crazy Bone and Young Buck.
- Guest: "This Friday, I'm dropping a new single with Crazy Bone from Bone Thugs... an album with Young Buck is coming out."
He emphasizes the importance of diversified income streams, inspired by a mentor who advocated for multiple revenue sources.
- Guest: "I just started seven forms of income... I have 700, but I just..."
8. Legacy and Final Thoughts
Timestamp: [118:21]
In the concluding segment, the guest reflects on his desired legacy, aiming to be remembered for his pivotal role in creating crunk music and its lasting influence across various musical genres.
- Guest: "My contribution to music now... that distorted bass sound I started is all over the place."
He expresses a desire to maintain a low profile despite his achievements, valuing privacy and authenticity over widespread fame.
- Guest: "I never wanted a lot of attention... I'm still the dude that goes around reading the ingredients on the back of ketchup."
DJ Paul and the guest share mutual respect, celebrating their enduring friendship and collaborative spirit.
- DJ Paul: "I'm so glad we finally got to sit down."
- Guest: "Yeah, for sure. Thank you."
Notable Quotes
- Guest: "When you come from where we came from, you just want to take as many steps as you can. Not to go back to that." ([104:03])
- DJ Paul: "Street smarts over book smarts." ([65:22])
- Guest: "I’m the father of EDM with hip hop on it." ([98:33])
- Guest: "Pain is the quickest way to learn anything." ([65:47])
- DJ Paul: "Sobriety is the hardest but most rewarding journey that you'll be on." ([81:51])
Conclusion This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of DJ Paul's multifaceted life, intertwining his musical genius with personal resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. Listeners gain valuable insights into the making of Three 6 Mafia, the importance of diversification in income, and the transformative power of overcoming personal challenges. DJ Paul's candid reflections and forward-thinking mindset make this installment a compelling addition to the Dumb Blonde podcast series.
Stay Connected For more updates and behind-the-scenes content:
- YouTube: DJ Paul Kom / King of Memphis
- Instagram: @DJPaulKom
- Twitter: @DJPaulKom
- Facebook: DJ Paul Kom
Stay tuned for upcoming episodes featuring more in-depth conversations with influential figures in entertainment and beyond.