Rowdy Thugs Keep Mafia Vibe Alive

After a string of successful regional releases, Memphis’ Three 6 Mafia struck gold with its first major-label release, 1997’s “Chpt. 2 ‘World Domination.’ ” The album, which sold more than 350,000 copies, featured a number of high-energy songs that could be described as party gangster rap. Even though the crew’s rappers failed to break new ground lyrically in their rhymes about the devil, violent confrontations and carefree sex, the hypnotic, sinister music backing their hard-core rhymes is among the most overwhelming the genre has to offer.

In between albums, Three 6 Mafia members DJ Paul, Juicy J and Lord Infamous have formed the Tear Da Club Up Thugs. This debut album (due in stores Tuesday) is the strongest work to date from any of the artists affiliated with Three 6 Mafia, including solo albums by Gangsta Boo and Indo G. Lightening up on the satanic references, the rappers keep the rowdy vibes intact with fierce battle tunes such as “Push ‘Em Off” and “Go to War With Us.” It’s hard to avoid getting swept away by the sheer force of DJ Paul and Juicy J’s unrelenting, up-tempo tracks.