Events

Project Pat Brings Memphis Legacy to the Joy Theater on August 2

Project Pat New Orleans

Get tickets to see Project Pat in New Orleans on August 2nd here.


Southern rap stalwart Project Pat is set to take the stage at the Joy Theater in New Orleans on August 2, bringing with him decades of Memphis rap history and a catalog that helped shape the sound of early 2000s hip-hop.

Born Patrick Houston, Project Pat emerged from the fertile Memphis rap scene in the late ‘90s, aligning with Hypnotize Minds—the crew founded by his younger brother Juicy J and longtime collaborator DJ Paul. Together, they laid the groundwork for what would become the crunk and early trap movements, long before those styles became mainstream fixtures. Pat’s solo breakout came with Mista Don’t Play: Everythangs Workin’ in 2001, an album whose off-kilter beats and streetwise narratives cemented his place in Southern rap’s upper echelon. Tracks like “Chickenhead” and “Don’t Save Her” blended humor, paranoia, and hard-edged realism, delivered in a hypnotic drawl that was unmistakably his.

Unlike many of his early-aughts peers, Project Pat hasn’t faded into nostalgia. He’s maintained a presence through collaborations with newer generations—Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky, and Drake among them—who’ve all recognized his influence. Drake even sampled Pat’s lyrics on the 2015 hit “Knife Talk,” reaffirming the Memphis rapper’s continued relevance in a constantly evolving genre.

While the mainstream spotlight has shifted, Pat’s cult following remains strong. His performances tend to be more than just throwbacks—they’re living documents of Southern hip-hop’s lineage, blending iconic anthems with deep cuts and newer work that speaks to his staying power. The Joy Theater show offers a rare opportunity to see a figure who helped define the sound of a region still resonating across the industry today.

With a voice that could only come from Memphis and a delivery that sounds as sharp now as it did two decades ago, the Project Pat upcoming New Orleans set promises to be a masterclass in regional rap history. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a student of the genre, August 2 at the Joy Theater is a night worth showing up for.

Project Pat NOLA

Get tickets to see Project Pat in New Orleans.

New Orleans mystic with a love for love. Writer, yogi, explorer, tune chaser. A wild haired moon child just trying to figure it out. Find me @thelocalmystic and at www.thelocalmystic.com