Juicy J und Project Pat

Growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, US, Juicy J was deeply influenced by the style of Southern hip hop music, and formed the group Three 6 Mafia with DJ Paul and Lord Infamous. While in Three 6 Mafia, Juicy J was able to convey his abilities as a solo artist with the 1999 track “Slob On My Knob”, which consisted solely of Juicy J rapping.

During time off between projects in Three 6 Mafia, Juicy J recorded and released his debut solo album “Chronicles of the Juice Man” in 2002. The album was released to generally positive reception and reached the No. 4 spot on the Billboard’s US Independent Albums chart. The album also consisted of guest appearances by Three 6 Mafia members as well as Juicy J’s brother, Project Pat.

After releasing his debut album Juicy J would return to work with Three 6 Mafia and would not release another solo album until 2009. During his time back with Three 6 Mafia the group went on to achieve great success with their 2003 album “Da Unbreakables” reaching No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart and their 2005 album “Most Known Unknown” reaching No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. The year 2006 saw Three 6 Mafia becoming the first hip hop group to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song with “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp”, which was featured in the movie “Hustle & Flow”. The group also became the first hip-hop group to perform at the Oscars’ ceremony.

Juicy J’s second album “Hustle Till I Die” marked the rappers return to his solo career in 2009. During this time Juicy J began to step away from working with Three 6 Mafia and focused on his solo career full time as well as working with the rapper Wiz Khalifa. In 2011 he joined Wiz Khalifa’s label, Taylor Gang, as a part owner and A&R representative. On 23 August 2013 Juicy J released his third studio album “Stay Trippy”, which showed Juicy J really stepping up his game. The album was met with positive reviews and went to No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 2 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. The album contained the singles “Bandz a Make Her Dance”, “Show Out”, and “Bounce It” as well as featured many guest performers such as Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, Wale, and The Weekend.

Juicy J has also found himself collaborating with pop diva Katy Perry for her 2013 single “Dark Horse”, which reached the No. 1 spot on the US Mainstream Top 40 chart. Juicy J is also a highly engaging performer live that has been known to play large festivals such as the hip hop festival, Paid Dues, as well as headline his own tours that he has shared the bill with rappers like Travis Scott.

Older brother to fellow rapper and co-founder of the Three 6 Mafia collective Juicy J, despite never being a member of the group, Project Pat used this affiliation to increase his exposure both locally and nationally. The rapper appeared on the Three 6 Mafia album “Crazyndalazday” in 1998 and Indo G’s full-length “Angel Dust” the same year. In 1999 Project Pat issued his debut studio album “Ghetty Green” on Hypnotize Minds/Loud Records introducing the rapper's songwriting and delivery to the Dirty South scene. A year later his follow-up album “Murderers & Robbers” was released independently on Hypnotize Minds, which further lay the groundwork for a Project Pat breakthrough.

The rapper subsequently contributed to the Three 6 Mafia single “Sippin’ on Some Syrup” in 2000, which later became a smash hit single, propelling Project Pat to Dirty South stardom. With the increased exposure the rapper released the single “Chickenhead” featuring Three 6 Mafia member La’ Chat, which earned anthem status in America’s south. On top of promoting his single, Pat’s newfound popularity also aided his third full-length album “Mista Don’t Play: Everythangs Workin” upon release in February 2001. The breakthrough record peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, No. 2 on the U.S. Hip-Hop/R&B chart, and went on to sell over a million copies.

Project Pat’s enjoyment of this success was cut short when he violated his parole and was pulled over for speeding with a pair of revolvers in his vehicle. In March 2001 the rapper was incarcerated in F.C.I. Greenville Illinois Federal Prison with a sentence that lasted until August 2005. During this time his label Hypnotize Records delayed the release of his third album “Layin’ da Smack Down” until August 2002, after which he released the mixtape “Mix Tape: The Appeal - Project Pat” in November 2003. In anticipation of his release from prison Pat released the subsequent mixtape “Gangsta Grillz, Vol. 15: The Welcome Home Party” in February 2006.

Following his time served, Project Pat released the studio album “Crook by da Book: The Fed Story” in December 2006, followed a year later by “Walkin’ Bank Roll” in October 2007. His sixth full-length “Real Recognize Real” marked his debut release for Asylum Records, led by the single “Keep It Hood” featuring OJ da Juiceman. The release was followed by a series of mixtapes with younger brother Juicy J entitled “Play me Some Pimpin' (1&2)” and “Cut Throat (1&2)”. The 2011 album “Loud Pack” arrived in 2011 charting at No. 44 on the U.S. Hip-Hop/R&B Chart. A collaborative album alongside Nasty Mane was issued by Money Train Management in October 2012, followed by Project Pat’s three “Cheez N Dope” mixtapes in 2013 and 2014.