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Tommy Wright III (born May 6, 1976) began his underground gangsta rapping career in Memphis Tennessee, during the 1990s. He is an early pioneer for fast paced rap in South Memphis, and is signed with Street Smart Records.

Early life
Tommy Wright III, otherwise known as the 1 Man Gang, is an early Gangsta Rap pioneer in South Memphis, Tennessee. Tommy Wright III set the tone of rap with a fast paced style, gaudy and sinister lyrics, and classic beats. His influence of rap style impacted the Genres of Gangsta Rap, Crunk music, and Trap music. Born in South Memphis, Tennessee, he moved to Whitehaven as a child after his mother witnessed the murder of his aunt; in Whitehaven, he became involved in the local gangs of the area, immersing himself in the criminal lifestyle (It is rumored that Tommy Wright is still associated with gangs, but he adamantly denies these accusations). Growing up, Tommy Wright had a difficult time with charges ranging from small misdemeanors, from possession to guns and drugs. However, this did not stop Tommy Wright from producing music, despite the difficult time with lawyers and drug charges. He began producing music during the late 80s, however, he gained a bigger following during the late 90s. From selling tapes at his high school in 1994, Tommy Wright had an influence on many current day rappers, such as A$AP Rocky, 2 Chainz, Lil B, Kreayshawn, Gucci Mane, and Lil Yachty.

Music career
Growing up in Memphis, Tommy Wright began producing music using the 4-track recording equipment. He was inspired from Spanish Fly, and DJ BK tapes. Tommy Wright has been producing music since the late 80s, which was a time where Gangsta Rap was thriving and in need for change. Between 1992 and 2000, he released five self-produced solo albums, two more with group Ten Wanted Men (which once featured a wanted woman, La Chat), owned, operated and produced the entirety of Street Smart Records’ discography and previewed – if possibly never distributed – a street documentary, Behind Closed Doors, for which there’s also a soundtrack. Practically sampling scores from Nintendo cartridges, tracks like “Hit List,” “Caught You Slippin’,” “Time to Rob,” “Hog Killin’” and “Drive By” set the tone for the foundation of Memphis rap. To the horror-core gangsta rap scene most of Tommy’s albums are considered pioneering classics, predominantly because of the beats and due to the realism depicted within Tommy’s lyrics. Tommy Wright evolved the fast pace rapping style with unforgettable hooks and songs like "Still Pimpin". He is also the head of many Memphis rap groups including the Manson Family and Ten Wanted Men (composed of Jesse James, La Chat, 2-Face, K-Rock (rapper), C-Roc, Lil' Ramsey, Mac T-Dogg, Project Pimp and Princess Loko). Tommy Wright III eventually signed with Street Smart Records around 1994, which was the label that cosigned most of his albums.

Albums
Memphis Massacre ‎(Cass, MiniAlbum, Mixed) 1992

Ashes 2 Ashes, Dust 2 Dust 1994

Runnin-N-Gunnin ‎(Cass, Album) 1995

On The Run 1996

Tommy Wright* & Ten Wanted Men - 10 Toes Down ‎(Cass, Album) 1997

Feel Me Before They Kill Me 1998

NASHVILLE TAKEOVER ‎(Cass, Album) 2016

Compilations
Greatest Hits ‎(Cass, Comp) 1997

Genesis (Greatest Underground Hits) 2000

Behind Closed Doors (Da Soundtrack) 2001

For more information about Tommy Wright III's discography, click here.