Three 6 Mafia Founder Dies Of Heart Attack

Billboard has confirmed that rapper Lord Infamous of Memphis hip hop outfit Three 6 Mafia died on Friday night.

Born Ricky Dunigan in 1973, he formed rap group Three 6 Mafia in 1991 with his half-brother DJ Paul, Juicy J and Koopsta Knicca. Originally known as Backyard Posse, the band completed its line-up with Crunchy Black and Gangsta Boo ahead of their debut album Mystic Stylez in 1995.

Following a stint in jail, Infamous was found in breach of contract with Sony and was forced out of the group. His departure came just after the band had won a Best Original Song Oscar for their track It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp, which was used in the 2005 film Hustle And Flow.

Infamous set up his own label in 2006, issuing releases for fellow Memphis rappers Mac Montese and T-Rok.

Infamous had only recently reformed Three 6 Mafia as Da Mafia 6ix. The reunited crew dropped a mixtape earlier in the year and were reported to be working on a new studio album.

Gangsta Boo tweeted the news of his musical partner's death, asking that people show respect for family and friends "during this tragedy".

Infamous, age 40, was found dead at his mother's home and the cause of death is as yet undetermined.

[UPDATE] DJ Paul has confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Infamous died of a heart attack in his sleep. Paul told THR, " "He said he was tired, he wanted to sleep. He sat down at the kitchen table, put his head in his arms to lay down ... to get some sleep."

He added that the group was getting ready for a show next week outside of Memphis, "He got a chance to see the group back together like he wanted to and be back in the studio with everybody and be back making music like he always liked to do."