Patrick Houston Jr., the 21-year-old son of Memphis rap legend Project Pat, was tragically shot and killed last week in a Memphis park. The incident took place in the historic Imogene Heights neighborhood, a predominantly Black community with deep ties to the city’s cultural roots.
Memphis police confirmed the shooting happened shortly after 1 PM on Friday. When officers arrived on the scene, they found Houston Jr. lifeless. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have yet to release additional information about the shooting, and no arrests have been made at this time.
Patrick Houston Jr. was the son of Project Pat, a foundational figure in Southern hip-hop who rose to prominence as part of the Memphis-based group Killa Klan Kaze. Project Pat is also well-known for his affiliation with Three 6 Mafia, co-founded by his younger brother, Juicy J. The connection between the brothers helped solidify Memphis as a cornerstone of the hip-hop industry in the ’90s and early 2000s.
Project Pat’s solo career also brought major acclaim, with his 2001 album Mista Don’t Play: Everythangs Workin earning gold certification and becoming a staple in Southern rap. The album was released just months before the birth of Patrick Houston Jr., adding even more significance to that era in the rapper’s life.
Though Houston Jr. lived a relatively private life outside the spotlight, his passing has deeply impacted the Memphis community, as well as fans of Project Pat and Juicy J. Social media has been flooded with condolences from fans, friends, and loved ones, many of whom are expressing their shock and heartbreak over the loss.
Houston’s funeral service is scheduled for this Saturday, and his family is expected to gather privately to mourn the young man’s untimely death.
The Memphis Police Department is continuing its investigation into the shooting and is urging anyone with information to come forward. As of now, details surrounding the incident remain unclear.
