Interview by: Miss Rivercity

Phone rings, 901 area code, I answer excitedly, “Hello!” Long pause then Project Pat says, “I have the wrong number.” Hangs up. I guess nobody warned him he’d be interviewing with a country Caucasian girl who sounds like a librarian. So I called back embarrassed, explained he did in fact have the correct number and asked could we proceed with an interview about Cheez & Dope, guns, and other miscellaneous rap topics. Thankfully he agreed.

After the recent release of Pat’s newest mixtape, Cheez & Dope with DJ Scream, I wanted to get an update on the feedback, as well as future plans for Pat and Three 6. He mentions working with Taylor Gang and gets extra energetic when talking about an upcoming collab with Raekwon. He also has a warning for rappers who think Youtube is strictly entertainment. According to Pat, the Feds are watching.

See, us white girls like Cheez N Dope too! [just sugar Mr. Officer]

Which songs are you getting the most feedback from off the tape?
Aw they mainly talkin’ ‘bout “Counting Money” and “Everything Louie.”

Are you doing any kind of promo tour for the mixtape or just in general?
We just take it as it come. We don’t trip.

Do you have any favorite cities to perform in? Where are some of the wildest places?
They’re all good to me. I like the East Coast. Chicago is wild as I don’t know what, and D.C. It’s all good to me. I’m ready to make it happen.

Being a Memphis legend, how is it doing shows at home?
It’s different because back in the day it was crunk and people ain’t really on that no more. Everybody’s on “turn up” music. I’m just trying to stay relevant with what’s going on, with the producers and the music. Once you do that you good.

Which producers do you go to for that “turn up” sound?
I got some good people. I work with Lil Awree, one of our Money Train producers. Money Train is our management company ran by Juicy J and two of our colleagues. I work with our producers Awree & Crazy Mike, and also other producers like Lex Luger and I got some guys called Dream Drums. They’re real bumpin’. And of course the notorious Drumma Boy. I did songs on his beats before but this is the first time I’ve used a lot of ‘em. I’m glad I did ‘cause he really went in.

How have you stayed relevant with the same fans for all these years? Like the people who were down with Project Pat from the beginning?
It’s street music. I’m known for the hood so I just have to do some hood stuff. (laughs)

Have you ever turned down any situations to work with people because it might change the direction of your music?
Naw, naw, I work with whoever. I’ll work with almost anybody, it’s not a problem. I’m really versatile to be honest. It doesn’t make no difference. We been in the game so long – me and Juicy – we know how to flip it. We know how to make it where the person is gonna dig what we’re sayin’.

Are you and Juicy J working on anything together?
I just did a song with Juicy J for DJ Bay Bay out of Dallas, well he’s from Louisiana but he’s big in Dallas. He’s a longtime friend of ours. We went in mane! We got Wiz on the hook. Also I’m finna be droppin’ some stuff on Juicy’s album Stay Trippy. I just did a couple joints and he sent me two other songs to do for the album. We stayin’ busy. I’m working on Belly On Full 3 and I’m continuing to work on an album I’m dropping on Wiz’s label. They want me to be the first artist Juicy J brings out on the label.

What’s going on with Hypnotize?
Hypnotize Camp is still a label, it still stands. We don’t officially have anyone coming out on Hypnotize at the moment. Three 6 may be doing something in the future, but right now it’s on hold because Juicy J has his situation going and it’s so fire we want to stay focused on what he’s doing. We’re rolling with what’s winning.

You mentioned Belly On Full 3. That’s the tape with your artist Nasty Mane right?
Yeah, we’re working on that now. It’s gonna be a monster! It’s gonna have a lot of Taylor Gang features. I got something in the works with Raekwon – that’s one of the guys I’d never worked with before. I’m gonna love to do this one. I got to make sure the track is completely right. I need a Drumma Boy or Dream Drums beat for that.

On one of the interlude tracks you tell people not to get on Youtube doing illegal stuff with guns or whatever because police can use it against you, even if you think it’s only entertainment. Have you ever been in a situation like that?
When I got locked up for guns they tried to use our whole CD. They had it in the courtroom going to use it to show I had a likeness for guns. It’s sad but they were gonna do it, but I didn’t let ‘em. I took it to trial. I beat the Feds with a mistrial the first time, but I lost the second trial. I rest assure you if the Feds want you they’ll use it against you. I just spoke on it. A man will do what he wanna do. I was just giving out some good advice for the young brothers out here. I know sometimes you not thinkin’ – sometimes when you in that life you want people to see it’s real. Real talk, it’s not even ‘bout that. It’s about you gettin’ your money and stayin’ low, so you can stay out here and continue to get money.

Short Audio Clip

I was just giving guidance for some of the guys that don’t have an opportunity to get that guidance. A lot of these guys grew up in the ghetto, no father, mama on crack, they have no guidance. They grew up in the streets and do what they do. I don’t knock the guy, I’m not a hypocrite. I don’t praise the streets because I know it’ll get you a lot of time or death. I was fortunate in a lot of stuff I did ‘cause I had some older guys lookin’ out. They was tellin’ me the real. A lot of times people won’t tell you that and leave you on a limb. I hate to see a dude left on a limb. It can happen.

Is there anything else you want to mention to people?
Everbody follow me @ProjectPatHCP on Twitter. My Instagram is @Money5000. I’m showing love to the up-and-comers trying to get in the game. I’m doing a thing where I’ll do a whole mix CD with people – for the right price. (laughs) We don’t work with everybody, we screen and see if it’s all good but we’ll mess with you if it is. For shows and features call 901-334-8701 or 901-292-0795.

(By the way, a long time ago DJ Scream used to do some pretty mean collective CDs – Project Pat’s was my favorite. Google it and thank me later.)

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