| Artist | Three 6 Mafia |
|---|---|
| Cover | Most_Known_Unknown.jpg |
| Released | September 27, 2005 |
| Recorded | 2004–2005 |
| Genre | Hardcore hip-hop · Southern hip-hop[1] · crunk[2] |
| Length | 75:39 |
| Label | Hypnotize Minds · Sony Urban · Columbia |
| Producer | DJ Paul (exec.) · Juicy J (also exec.) · David Banner · Mr. Collipark |
| Prev year | 2005 |
| Next year | 2005 |
Most Known Unknown is the eighth studio album by American hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia. It was released on September 27, 2005, by Hypnotize Minds, Sony Urban Music, and Columbia Records.[1]
This album is known for having some of Three 6 Mafia's biggest hits, including "Stay Fly" featuring Young Buck and 8Ball & MJG, "Poppin' My Collar" featuring Project Pat (though Pat's verse wasn't included in the first edition but would later be included in the re-issue), and "Side 2 Side" featuring Bow Wow and Project Pat (with Bow Wow and Project Pat's verses, like the "Poppin' My Collar" remix, would not be used in the first edition but would be released in the re-issue, along with another remix featuring Kanye West and a slightly different-sounding melody). This album would prove to be their biggest success to date, topping the commercial success of their 2000 album, When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1.[3] The original version was released on a regular CD version as well as a DualDisc version featuring "The Life of the Most Known Unknowns" documentary, "Stay Fly" video with a live performance, and the uncut video of "Side 2 Side". The re-release also had a bonus version, with two remixes of "Side 2 Side".[4] A chopped and screwed version by Michael Watts was also released.
Along with chart-topping hits, this album also featured several well-known guest rappers, including Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Trick Daddy, Mr. Bigg, 8Ball & MJG, Young Buck, Remy Ma, Bow Wow (only on re-issue), Kanye West (only on re-issue), Lil' Flip, as well as the Hypnotize Camp Posse (Three 6 Mafia, Project Pat, Frayser Boy, Lil Wyte, and others).
Three 6 Mafia member Lord Infamous was notably omitted from this album. Many rumors speculated that he either left the group or was kicked out; these rumors were put to rest when DJ Paul[5] told sources that the reason for Infamous not being on the album was due to a stint in jail, leaving Crunchy Black, DJ Paul, and Juicy J the only Three 6 Mafia members to be included on the album.
Most Known Unknown opened at number 3 on the Billboard 200 and number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums with 125,000 copies sold. It was certified gold by the RIAA the week following its release on November 2, 2005, and reached platinum status by June 26, 2006.[6]
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
|---|
Year-end charts
| Chart (2005) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[7] | 182 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[8] | 47 |
| Chart (2006) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[9] | 99 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[10] | 37 |
References
- ^ Birchmeier, Jason. "Most Known Unknown – Three 6 Mafia". AllMusic. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (October 19, 2005). "Three 6 Mafia: Most Known Unknown". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Most Known Unknown by Three 6 Mafia". iTunes. September 27, 2005. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
- ^ "Most Known Unknown (Bonus Tracks) by Three 6 Mafia", 2005-09-27, retrieved 2023-01-06
- ^ Kaufman, Gil. "Lord Infamous' Cause Of Death: DJ Paul Offers New Details". MTV News. Archived from the original on July 6, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
- ^ "Most Known Unknown (Spec): Three 6 Mafia: Music". Retrieved May 16, 2013.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2005". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2005". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved September 29, 2020.