| The Kaze | |
| Landscape: | yes |
| Alias: | Killa Klan Kaze |
| Origin: | Memphis, Tennessee, United States |
| Years Active: | –present |
| Label: | Kami Kaze Productions (1992–present) Hypnotize Minds (1997–2000) Prophet Entertainment (1995–1998) |
| Current Members: | M.C. Mack Vokillz Kano Da Wolf Mac-Yo Queen King |
| Past Members: | Scan Man K-Rock (deceased) Project Pat Lil Corb (deceased) Pimp Teddy Mac Yo Nigaro M-Child |
The Kaze, also known as Killa Klan Kaze, is an American hip hop group from Memphis, Tennessee. They are largely known for their affiliation with Three 6 Mafia throughout much of the 1990s, having been a featured act and members of the Prophet Posse and Hypnotize Camp Posse. The group originally consisted of M.C Mack, Scan Man and K-Rock, though Project Pat replaced K-Rock in the trio for the group's debut album, 1998's Kamakaze Timez Up, produced by DJ Paul and Juicy J.
In 2000, the group's affiliation with Three 6 Mafia ended when M.C. Mack and Scan Man had a fallout with DJ Paul and Juicy J after attempting to release music independently produced and recorded under The Kaze name, with a lengthy dispute over royalties resulting. Since that time, The Kaze has operated independently, having undergone membership growth and changes, while releasing several albums via its label, Kami Kaze Productions.
The Kaze began their activities in the early 1990s in Memphis. In 1995, the group (then known as "Killa Klan Kaze") was featured on a tape entitled "Volume 3 Spring Mix 95", which contained the first recorded track of Killa Klan Kaze, "Runnin 'Lip". They had a track on Three 6 Mafia's 1995 EP Live by Yo Rep, titled "Be a Witness". Project Pat ultimately replaced K-Rock and in 1998 the group released their first studio album Kamakaze Timez Up and sold about 50,000 independent copies. The album was released with the production of Three 6 Mafia's Juicy J and DJ Paul. The album would be the only project released by the group together.[1] [2] 1998, the group's label, Prophet Entertainment shut down after label co-founders DJ Paul and Juicy J split from fellow label co-founder Nick Scarfo. The result was DJ Paul and Juicy J's creation of a new label, Hypnotize Minds. In, 1999 Scan Man and M.C. Mack founded their own Kami Kaze Inc. independent label and released Thugz From Southside: 2000 Mazdestruction.[3]
In 2012, the group was nominated for music awards at the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and won the "Best Group" Award.[4] [5]
In 2020, MC Mack filed a copyright lawsuit against Three 6 Mafia, alleging that they have been using their music without permission since the 1990s.[6] [7] The case is pending in court in Shelby County, Tennessee.[8]