Project Pat

Patrick Earl Houston, known as Project Pat, is an American rapper from North Memphis, Tennessee. He is the older brother of Juicy J, co-founder of Three 6 Mafia, and has been a central figure in Southern hip-hop since the late 1990s. His 2001 album Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin and its hit single "Chickenhead" remain touchstones of the Dirty South sound. Over more than two decades, he has released over a dozen studio albums and countless mixtapes, building a reputation for gritty, streetwise storytelling delivered with a deep, menacing flow.

Pat's music often explores hustling, survival, and the realities of street life, earning him a loyal fan base. He has collaborated with artists like Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, and Drake, and his catalog is frequently sampled by newer rappers. Beyond recording, he has appeared in the film Hustle & Flow and on television. As of 2026, he remains active, performing and recording, and is managed under Gate Girl Records in Memphis. [edit]

Project Pat grew up in North Memphis, Tennessee, the son of a preacher. Music was a constant presence through his younger brother Juicy J's early involvement in the city's rap scene. Pat's first recording appearances came on Three 6 Mafia releases as early as 1991, but his path to a solo career was interrupted by legal trouble. In the mid-1990s, he served time in prison on various charges, including aggravated robbery. Those street experiences and his incarceration heavily shaped the raw, autobiographical content of his later music.

After his release, Pat joined the hip-hop group the Kaze in 1998, the same year their debut album Kamakazie Timez Up was released. The group's sound blended Memphis horrorcore with hardcore rap, providing a foundation for Pat's solo work. His debut solo album Ghetty Green dropped in 1999 on his brother's Hypnotize Minds label, but it was the 2000 single "Sippin' on Some Syrup" with Three 6 Mafia that brought him national attention. [edit]

Project Pat's breakthrough came in 2001 with Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin, released on Hypnotize Minds. The album's lead single "Chickenhead," featuring La' Chat, became a Dirty South anthem with heavy rotation on BET and MTV, and the album peaked in the Top Five on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop chart. That same year, Pat was sentenced to four years in federal prison for firearm possession, a violation of his parole. While incarcerated, his third album Layin' Da Smack Down was released in 2002, featuring the video for "Make Dat Azz Clap."

Upon his release in 2005, Pat returned with Crook by da Book: The Fed Story, which sold about 40,000 copies in its first week and reached No. 64 on the Billboard 200. He followed with Walkin' Bank Roll (2007) on Koch Records and Real Recognize Real (2009) on Asylum, the latter featuring the hit "Keep It Hood" with OJ da Juiceman. In 2011, he launched his own imprint Project Records and released Loud Pack, with guest appearances from Rick Ross and Brisco. Later in his career, he was featured on Drake's "Knife Talk," which charted on the Billboard Hot 100, introducing him to a new generation of listeners. [edit]

Project Pat is known for his deep, menacing voice and vivid, streetwise storytelling. His music paints unflinching pictures of hustling, survival, and incarceration, delivered with a flow that balances aggression and melody. Fans and critics alike regard him as a pioneering force in the gritty Memphis rap sound, a bridge between the early Three 6 Mafia era and modern Southern hip-hop. He maintains a low-key public persona, rarely courting controversy, and is respected for his authenticity and longevity. His fan base, while not organized under a formal name, is loyal and spans generations of rap listeners. [edit]

Project Pat commands a steady, enduring presence within the global landscape of hip-hop, recognized primarily as a foundational pillar of the Memphis sound and a central figure in the legacy of Three 6 Mafia. His influence spans decades, maintaining relevance through consistent output and a distinct vocal style that bridges the gap between the group's early underground era and modern Southern rap. Despite this sustained cultural footprint, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated his current standing and determined that he does not hold a placement in the published rankings for the Global Top 1,000 or any specific Top-100 scope list. Consequently, no ordinal rank or numerical score is assigned to his profile at this time. The artist's audience operates without a formal, branded identity; there is no documented fandom name for Project Pat specifically, though his supporters are deeply integrated into the broader Three 6 Mafia community and regional Memphis hip-hop networks. These fans maintain a tight-knit loyalty, often organizing organically through forums and local events rather than structured campaigns. While the collective known as "The 36" frequently celebrates Pat's contributions, the fanbase itself lacks an official moniker distinct from the larger group affiliation. This organic following has proven resilient, rallying around the artist during personal tragedies and actively preserving his status as an original core member of the collective against historical narratives that might minimize his role. His engagement with incarcerated communities and recent ministry work further anchors his connection with a demographic that values authenticity over commercial spectacle.[edit]

Project Pat's song "Chickenhead" stands as one of the most sampled tracks in Southern rap history, appearing in works by artists across various genres. He established the Breakin' Baggs Foundation to support food security and mentorship in underserved areas, while also founding the Go Foundation in Collierville, Tennessee, which focuses on prison ministry and motivational speaking. Pat frequently visits correctional facilities to perform and preach, reflecting the deep religious values he inherited from his father. A widely retold story in hip-hop folklore concerns his contribution to Three 6 Mafia's mainstream breakthrough, where his iconic hook introduced the distinctive Memphis sound to a wider American audience. Fans still recount how his live performances have historically shut down venues, a reputation recently reaffirmed when the reunited group headlined a festival-sized show at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. Another notable chapter in his legend involves his evolution from a street rapper to a spiritual leader, with reports of him preaching in Arkansas and traveling to prisons. This transition has been embraced by his followers, who view his ministry work as a natural extension of his storytelling about survival and redemption.[edit]

Project Pat is the son of a preacher, a background that instilled in him a strong religious faith that he carries into his adult life. His younger brother is Jordan Michael Houston III, better known as Juicy J, the co-founder of Three 6 Mafia. The two have collaborated extensively throughout their careers. Pat has one known son, Patrick Houston Jr., whose mother has not been publicly identified. He keeps his family life largely private, rarely sharing details about his household or personal relationships in interviews or on social media. [edit]

Project Pat has kept his romantic life largely out of the public eye. The only known relationship is with the mother of his son, Patrick Houston Jr., but her identity has not been publicly confirmed. No details about the duration or nature of that relationship are available. As of 2026, Pat is not publicly linked to any partner and appears to be single. He has never been married or engaged in a documented relationship, maintaining a private personal life that contrasts with his raw, confessional music. [edit]

As of 2026, Project Pat's net worth is estimated at approximately $4 million per iFANN's editorial analysis. His financial standing derives primarily from album sales, streaming royalties, and music publishing rights accumulated over more than two decades. With a catalog exceeding a dozen studio albums and countless mixtapes, his work generates steady revenue through major platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. The track "Chickenhead" remains a frequently sampled composition, providing ongoing publishing income that supplements his earnings. Additional revenue streams include performance fees, feature appearances, and operations under his own label, Project Records. While he maintains no major endorsement deals or public real estate holdings, his consistent creative output and touring activities with Three 6 Mafia members have sustained his financial stability throughout his career.[edit]