Lord Infamous, one of the founding members of the influential rap group Three 6 Mafia, died unexpectedly on December 20, 2013 at his mother’s home in Memphis, Tennessee. He was 40 years old. His death shocked and saddened his fans, friends, and family, who remembered him as a talented and visionary artist. But what was the cause of his death? How did he pass away so young? And what legacy did he leave behind?
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A Heart Attack in His Sleep
According to Exclaim!, Lord Infamous’s record label, Black Rain Entertainment, revealed that the cause of death was a heart attack. He had been sleeping at the kitchen table when his mother found him unresponsive. He had been dead for about five hours, according to the doctors.
His half-brother and Three 6 Mafia co-founder, DJ Paul, told HipHopDX that Lord Infamous had a history of heart problems. He had suffered a heart attack and a stroke in 2010, which may have contributed to his fatal cardiac arrest. DJ Paul said that Lord Infamous had told his girlfriend that he wanted to go to sleep and that he was feeling fine. He laid his head in his arms and never woke up.
A Pioneer of Horrorcore and Memphis Rap
Lord Infamous, whose real name was Ricky Dunigan, was born on November 17, 1973 in Memphis, Tennessee. He started his music career in the late 1980s with DJ Paul, who was his half-brother. They released self-recorded tapes in their neighborhood, school, and local shops. Their first known tape was Portrait of a Serial Killa, released in 1992.
In 1991, they met Juicy J, another rapper and producer from north Memphis. They formed a group called The Backyard Posse, which later changed its name to Triple 6 Mafia and then Three 6 Mafia. The group signed with Prophet Posse and released their first underground album, Smoked Out, Loced Out, in 1994. Lord Infamous also released his first solo album, Lord of Terror, that year.
Three 6 Mafia became one of the most influential rap groups in the south, pioneering the genres of horrorcore and Memphis rap. Horrorcore is a subgenre of rap that focuses on dark and violent themes such as Satanism, murder, torture, and drug use. Memphis rap is a regional style of rap that features fast-paced beats, lo-fi production, and samples from horror movies and other sources.
Lord Infamous was known for his distinctive flow, which was fast, complex, and versatile. He could rap in different patterns and rhythms, switching from triplets to double-time to half-time. He was also known for his macabre lyrics, which touched on topics such as death, demons, and the occult. He earned nicknames such as The Scarecrow, Scarecrow Tha Terrible, Keyser Soze, King of Horrorcore, The Futuristic Rowdy Bounty Hunter, and The Mystical One.
A Successful but Troubled Career
Three 6 Mafia rose to fame in the mid-1990s and early 2000s with albums such as Mystic Stylez (1995), Chapter 2: World Domination (1997), When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1 (2000), and Da Unbreakables (2003). They also released numerous solo projects and collaborations with other artists. They won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp” from the movie Hustle & Flow in 2006.
However, Lord Infamous also faced some challenges and controversies in his career. He was arrested several times for charges such as aggravated robbery, illegal weapon possession, and domestic violence. He also had conflicts with some former members of Three 6 Mafia who left the group for various reasons.
In 2006, Lord Infamous left Three 6 Mafia after serving jail time for a breach of contract with Sony. He remained on good terms with DJ Paul and Juicy J and reunited with them for some projects later on. He also formed his own record label, Black Rain Entertainment, with rapper II Tone. He released several albums under this label, such as The Man The Myth The Legacy (2007), Futuristic Bounty Hunter (2010), Helloween (2011), Voodoo (2012), Scarecrow Tha Terrible Part Two (2013), and Back from Tha Dead: Deadly Proverbs (2013).
A Legend Remembered
Lord Infamous’s death was mourned by many people in the rap community and beyond. His former group members paid tribute to him on social media and in interviews. DJ Paul said that he was “crushed” by the news and that Lord Infamous was his “best friend”. Juicy J said that he was “in shock” and that Lord Infamous was a “legend”. Other rappers such as Drake, Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, and Bun B also expressed their condolences and respect for Lord Infamous.
Lord Infamous’s legacy lives on through his music and his influence on other artists. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers and innovators of horrorcore and Memphis rap. He inspired many rappers who followed in his footsteps, such as Lil Uzi Vert, Denzel Curry, ���������uicideboy, and Bones. He is also remembered for his unique style, his lyrical skills, and his charismatic personality.
Lord Infamous was a rap legend who died too soon. He left behind a rich and diverse body of work that showcases his talent and vision. He also left behind a loyal fan base that appreciates his contributions to the rap culture. He will always be remembered as one of the original members of Three 6 Mafia and one of the kings of horrorcore. Rest in peace, Lord Infamous.
