DJ Paul is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur who has a net worth of $10 million.
Paul is famous as a founding member of the hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia. Alongside fellow co-founder Juicy J, DJ Paul crafted the dark, menacing production style that became Three 6 Mafia’s trademark. He also contributed as a rapper, known for his slow drawing delivery and clever wordplay.
DJ Paul Net Worth
DJ Paul has accumulated an impressive net worth estimated at $10 million as of 2024. The vast majority of his wealth comes from music sales and performances with Three 6 Mafia. The group has sold over 10 million albums worldwide, generating a substantial income for DJ Paul as a founding member.
He also earned big paychecks for high-profile Three 6 Mafia shows, like their $150,000 performance at the Gathering of the Juggalos in 2007. DJ Paul makes money from his solo work and production for other artists as well, along with income from his business ventures like the Body English nightclub and merchandise sales.
The Oscar win for “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp” brought DJ Paul not only prestige but also a valuable income boost. Oscar winners for Best Original Song typically receive a bonus payout from their record label along with royalties every time the song is played.
Early Life and Education
DJ Paul was born Paul Duane Beauregard on January 12, 1977, in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up in Orange Mound, a historically black neighborhood in Memphis. DJ Paul became interested in hip-hop at a young age and started performing as a DJ and producer when he was 15 years old.
DJ Paul attended Ridgeway High School in Memphis, where he met Juicy J, another aspiring rapper and producer. The two began collaborating on music and formed the group The Backyard Posse with several other local rappers. After high school, DJ Paul spent a year studying business at the University of Memphis before dropping out to focus full-time on his music career.
Career Beginnings with Three 6 Mafia
DJ Paul and Juicy J formed the group Triple 6 Mafia, along with Lord Infamous and Koopsta Knicca in 1991. The group later changed its name to Three 6 Mafia to avoid controversy over alleged satanic references.
In 1995, Three 6 Mafia released its debut album “Mystic Stylez” through Prophet Entertainment, an independent record label formed by DJ Paul and Juicy J.
Three 6 Mafia developed a distinctive horrorcore style that incorporated dark, violent lyrics with gritty southern production. The group went on to achieve significant underground success with albums like “Chapter 1: The End” (1996), “Chapter 2: World Domination” (1997), and “When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1” (2000).
Mainstream Success and Oscar Win
In the early 2000s, Three 6 Mafia began to gain more mainstream appeal, particularly after the release of the club anthem “Stay Fly” in 2005. The song was featured on the album “Most Known Unknown,” which was Three 6 Mafia’s first album to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hip Hop/R&B charts.
This growing popularity culminated when Three 6 Mafia became the first hip-hop group to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp” from the film Hustle and Flow. DJ Paul co-wrote the song along with group members Juicy J and Crunchy Black. The Oscar win cemented Three 6 Mafia’s legacy and demonstrated the group’s crossover appeal.
Throughout this successful run with Three 6 Mafia, DJ Paul continued to work on production for other artists and collaborate with rappers outside the group.
Source of Income
DJ Paul has earned income from a variety of sources over his long career in hip hop. He has made millions from his work with Three 6 Mafia. He was a core member of the group from the independent release of their debut album “Mystic Stylez” in 1995 through to their 2005 commercial peak with hits like “Stay Fly.”
Three 6 Mafia has sold over 10 million records worldwide, generating substantial royalty checks for DJ Paul.
Also, touring and live performances have been a significant income stream for DJ Paul alongside Three 6 Mafia and as a solo artist. The group’s performance fees reached six figures for significant shows later in their career. DJ Paul also gets paid for his own solo concerts and festival appearances.
Business Ventures
DJ Paul has pursued various business ventures over the years. In 1998, he opened a strip club in Memphis called Platinum Plus. He also co-founded Hypnotize Minds, a record label and entertainment company started by Three 6 Mafia.
One of DJ Paul’s most successful business moves was becoming co-owner of Las Vegas nightclub Body English in 2013. The multi-million dollar venue generated significant income for DJ Paul through promotional partnerships with alcohol brands like Luc Belaire.
Outside of clubs, DJ Paul has earned income from merchandise, album sales, and performance fees over his long career. He has also received royalties from the numerous Three 6 Mafia songs he produced and co-wrote over the years.
Personal Life
DJ Paul has had an eventful personal life and has been romantically linked to several prominent female celebrities over the years.
In 2003, he married Majda Baltic, with whom he shares two children – a son named Nautica and a daughter named Ty. However, DJ Paul and Majda divorced in 2010 after seven years of marriage.
Following his divorce, DJ Paul was briefly engaged to Australian rapper Iggy Azalea in 2014, though their relationship quickly dissolved.
He also had a short-lived fling with pop-punk singer Avril Lavigne in 2015. The two were photographed getting cozy at a club in Las Vegas but never officially confirmed being in a relationship.
Philanthropy
DJ Paul has shown his charitable side by giving back to the community in Memphis.
In 2008, he worked with Three 6 Mafia to donate $10,000 to their former high school, Ridgeway High, to fund new sports equipment and uniforms. DJ Paul has stated Memphis is still dear to him, even with his fame and fortune.
When tornadoes devastated parts of Tennessee in 2020, DJ Paul helped organize an auction to raise money for victims. Signed memorabilia by DJ Paul and other rappers raised over $15,000 for relief funds.
He also sponsors youth sports teams in the city to provide athletic opportunities. In 2022, DJ Paul donated $5,000 to sponsor a Memphis Little League football team, enabling 200 kids to play for free.
FAQs on DJ Paul Net Worth
How did DJ Paul first get started in music?
DJ Paul got into music at a young age in Memphis, learning DJing and production skills as a teenager. He started performing locally and joined up with rapper Juicy J in 1991 to form Three 6 Mafia, launching his music career.
What is Three 6 Mafia’s most successful song?
Three 6 Mafia’s biggest hit was the 2005 club anthem “Stay Fly” featuring YoungBuck and Eightball & MJG. It was their first single to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart.
Has DJ Paul won any major awards?
DJ Paul made history as the first hip-hop artist to win an Academy Award. He won Best Original Song at the 2006 Oscars for co-writing “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp” from Hustle and Flow.
What are some of DJ Paul’s biggest solo songs?
Some of DJ Paul’s biggest solo hits include “Pop A Pill,” “Gorilla Pimpin’,” “Kangaroo,” and “Get To Poppin,” featuring Gucci Mane. He has numerous well-known singles as a lead artist outside Three 6 Mafia.
Final Words
DJ Paul has made an immense impact on hip-hop music. As a founding member of Three 6 Mafia, he pioneered the group’s influential horrorcore style and co-produced many of their classic tracks. DJ Paul played a crucial role in building Three 6 Mafia into a multi-platinum-selling artist with mainstream popularity.
Beyond the group’s success, he has also flourished as a solo artist, record producer, and entrepreneur. DJ Paul’s net worth sits at an impressive $10 million due to his diverse music and business ventures.
