Playa Fly (born Ibn Young on September 2, 1977) is an American

rapper Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...

from

Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the seat of Shelby County in the southwest part of the state; it is situated along the Mississippi River. With a population of 633,104 at the 2020 U.S. census, Memphis is the second-mos ...

. Fly was a member of the

Three 6 Mafia Three 6 Mafia is an American hip hop group from Memphis, Tennessee, formed in 1991. Emerging as a horror-themed underground hip hop group, they would eventually go on to enjoy mainstream success. The group's 1995 debut album ''Mystic Stylez'' ...

(then known as Lil' Fly), but he stopped collaborating in 1995 due to monetary disputes and philosophical differences after recording one album under the group's guidance. Pursuing a solo career as Playa Fly, he released one independent album before signing a three-album contract with Super Sigg Records. During that period he had many underground hits, perhaps the most famous being "Nobody Needs Nobody". Fly's early hit immediately gained notoriety from the song "Triple Bitch Mafia", which lashed out against his former group.

Biography

Early life and Triple 6 Mafia

Young was born in Memphis in 1977 and grew up on South Parkway where he was largely raised by his grandmother.Lisle, Andrea (2008)
Concert preview: Playa Fly movin' and groovin'
, ''

The Commercial Appeal ''The Commercial Appeal'' (also known as the ''Memphis Commercial Appeal'') is a daily newspaper of Memphis, Tennessee, and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is owned by the Gannett Company; its former owner, the E. W. Scripps Company, als ...

'', September 12, 2008, retrieved 2011-03-05 His father was the musician Willie David Young. A.K.A, Mr. Bill Chill, a former member of The Avantis and The Ovations, while his mother was a

drug dealer A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism's physiology or psychology when consumed. Drugs are typically distinguished from food and substances that provide nutritional support. Consumption of drugs can be via inhalati ...

, an activity that Young also got involved in at the age of thirteen. Under the title Lil' Fly, Young began his career at the age of sixteen, testing the waters with "Don't Never Test His Pimpin" as a start. He eventually became affiliated with

DJ Paul Paul Duane Beauregard (born January 12, 1977), better known by his stage name DJ Paul, is an American DJ, record producer, and rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. He is a founding member of hip hop group Three 6 Mafia and uncle of the late rapper ...

and

Juicy J Jordan Michael Houston III (born April 5, 1975), known professionally as Juicy J, is an American rapper and record producer. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, he is a founding member of the Southern hip hop group Three 6 Mafia, established i ...

of Triple 6 Mafia (Now known as

) and under the wing of the up-and-coming producers, "Slangin' Rocks" was produced (part one featured on his underground single, part two featured on DJ Paul's ''Vol. 16 For Da Summa Of '94''). He was featured on

Gangsta Blac Gangsta may refer to: Urban culture * Gangsta rap, a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths * Gangster, a member of a gang * Hip hop fashion ...

's underground hit album, '' Breakin Da Law'', and the Three 6 Mafia's first mainstream album, ''

Mystic Stylez ''Mystic Stylez'' is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Three 6 Mafia. Produced completely by founding members DJ Paul and Juicy J, the LP was published via Prophet, an independent record label. In 2001, the album was re-release ...

''. It was even planned for releasing Fly's first album on their label (which was, at that time,

Prophet Entertainment Prophet is an independent record label based in Memphis, Tennessee, formerly owned by DJ Paul and Juicy J. As a group act, Prophet Entertainment goes by the stage name Prophet Posse. From 1991 to 1994 it launched new independent musical artists ...

) and his first single, "From Da Darkness Of Da Kut", was released in 1994. After leaving the group a year later, Fly put out his infamous diss record, "Triple Bitch Mafia",Hess, Mickey (2009) ''Hip Hop in America: a Regional Guide: Volume 1 - East Coast and West Coast'', Greenwood Publishing Group, , p. 566 then changed his title to Playa Fly and was featured on

Tommy Wright III Tommy Wright III is an American rapper and hip hop producer. He began rapping in Memphis, Tennessee during the 1990s and is considered to be an early pioneer for fast-paced rap and trap production in South Memphis. Musical career Growing up i ...

's ''On the Run'' album before signing with Super Sigg Records. Playa Fly has expanded all over the south by influencing young cliques like I.B.N. (who uses Fly's real name as their title), based in Decatur, Georgia.

Super Sigg

In 1996, Playa Fly released his first album with Super Sigg, '' Fly Shit''.Birchmeier, Jason
Playa Fly Biography
,

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...

, retrieved 2011-03-05 The album had songs such as "Nappy Hair & Gold Teeth", "Da Show", "Crownin' Me", "Flizy Comin' (Triple Bitch Mafia pt.2)" and "Work To Do". It included other artists such as Gangsta Blac, Bill Chill, Criminal Manne, Icy K, D-A-V, Tay-Dog and Playa Posse. This album was also where Fly began his association with producer Blackout. In 1998, '' Movin' On'' was released. ''Movin' On'' had such tracks as "Situation", "Start Runnin", "Nobody", " Funk-N-Bonk" and "Write Sum Bump". It also featured Gangsta Blac, Bill Chill (Fly's father), Minnie Mae Mafia, and Cool B. Fly's father died shortly before this album's completion. '' Just Gettin' It On'', a re-release of his underground solo CD (with a bonus track), was released by Diamond in March 1999. '' Da Game Owe Me'' was released in November of the same year, the last album to be released by Super Sigg Records. ''Just Gettin' It On'' had songs like "Gettin' It On", " Just Awaken Shaken", "Triple Bitch Mafia" and "Fuck A Wanna Be". ''Just Gettin' It On'' included the Minnie Mae Mafia, Terror, Lil' Yo, Gangsta Blac and the late Bill Chill. The album's bonus track, "Fuck A Wanna Be", had a video made for it (under the title "Just A Wanna Be") and is Playa Fly's only

music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device ...

. ''Da Game Owe Me'' featured Gangsta Blac, Thaistik, Blackout and Terror.

Minnie Mae Muzik

After leaving Super Sigg, Playa Fly created his own label named after his grandmother, Minnie Mae Muzik. On this label, Fly began production on '' Fly2K'' along with the forces of Diamond Records. Midway through the project, Fly was arrested for possession of narcotics and sent to prison to serve a seven-year sentence in 1999. The release date for ''Fly2K'' was pushed back from 2000 to 2002. Playa Fly was still present on his album while he was in prison, as he rapped a cappella over the phone ("Flexxin' Skit" and "Sap Sucka"). ''Fly2K'' was released in November 2002, the album included such songs like "Bill Chill Lives" (a tribute to Bill Chill), "Universal Heartthrob", "Here Fly Come", "Club Friendly", "We Ain't Playin Witcha", "Life Goes On" and "Few & Da Proud". The album included other artist like Mista Tito, Maimi Miane, D-A-V, Bubba Wiley, Thaistik, DeRico, R-E-G and LaCynthia. In mid-2006, Fly was released from prison and resumed his career, with a new album planned - ''Mafia All Day''. On July 5, a single "Horses", was featured on the '' XXL'' website. In addition to his release, Fly joined the New Prophet Camp. In December 2010, Playa Fly released the single "Blast Off", taken from the new ''Mafia All Day'' album that has been delayed for more than two years.

Discography

Albums

* 1993: ''From Da Darkness Of Da Kut'' (as Lil Fly) (underground album) * 1996: ''Fly Shit'' * 1998: '' Movin' On'' - US R&B Albums #90Playa Fly Charts & Awards: Billboard Albums
,

, retrieved 2011-03-03 * 1999: '' Just Gettin' It On'' * 1999: '' Da Game Owe Me'' - US R&B Albums #63 * 2002: '' Fly2K'' - US R&B Albums #64, Top Independent Albums #33 * TBA: ''Mafia All Day''

Mixtapes

* 2007: ''Prepare Or Beware: Da Mafia Massacre'' * 2010: K.O.A.K. (King of All Kings) Produced by DJ Scream * 2011: Fly In July

Guest appearances

References

External links

*
Playa Fly MemphisRap.com Profile

Playa Fly interview at Down-South.com

Playa Fly interview at MemphisRap.com

Playa Fly Biography
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fly, Playa 1977 births African-American crunk musicians African-American male rappers Gangsta rappers Living people Prophet Entertainment Rappers from Memphis, Tennessee Southern hip hop musicians 21st-century American rappers