Project Pat Layin' Da Smack Down CD

LAYIN' DA SMACK DOWN includes a limited edition bonus CD of 8 tracks.
Personnel includes: Project Pat, Juvenile, Juicy "J", DJ Paul, Lil Wyte, Frayser Boy.
Recorded at Hypnotized Minds Studio, Memphis, Tennessee.
Audio Mixer: Juicy J.
Recording information: Hypnotized Minds Studio, Memphis, TN.
Delayed several times while he sorted out a parole violation, Project Pat's fourth album wasn't quite worth the wait. True, he's a solid rapper, but the rudimentary productions and an assortment of played-out themes swamp Layin' da Smack Down. His brother, Juicy J, along with DJ Paul (the Supa Producers) are responsible for the production, and though it's clear they're angling for an intentionally skeletal style, it's just not enough to make these tracks gel. The two-note synth line actually sounds good on "Fight," but the stuttered vocal sample repeats at least a dozen times too often. Unsurprisingly, the most together track is also the best one: "Make Dat Thang Clap (Black Clap)," with Juvenile helping flesh out the track. ~ John Bush ~ John Bush
There's nothing like an arrest record to bolster a rapper's street credibility, and at the time of the long-delayed 2002 release of Project Pat's fourth album, Layin' da Smack Down, the Memphis gangsta was facing parole violation charges due to a weapons arrest. Although his imprisonment might have limited promotional opportunities for the album, the Three 6 Mafia affiliate's notoriety certainly didn't hurt Layin' da Smack Down as much as Project Pat's own limited abilities. The home of Elvis Presley and Graceland, Stax Records and Sun Studios, Memphis also has some of the meanest streets in the Southeast, easily the equal of L.A.'s Compton or Houston's infamous projects. It's from the dangerous Memphis that surrounds the shellshocked Hollywood Avenue neighborhood that produced Project Pat (aka Patrick Houston) and Three 6 Mafia, and it's from this crime-plagued area of the Bluff City that Project Pat draws his lyrical inspiration. Whereas Project Pat's previous albums, such as Mista Don't Play and Ghetty Green, offered their fair share of misogynist rhymes, Layin' da Smack Down revels in demeaning, pornographic sex. When not concentrating on his own carnal pleasures, Project Pat offers the usual lyrical litany of drugs, crime, and random violence that dominates hardcore rap, the rapper obviously running out of fresh perspectives on the subject matter. Although producers Juicy J (Pat's brother) and DJ Paul bring a bouncy and bright sound to Layin' da Smack Down, Pat's material lacks the mix of intelligence, humor, and menace that fuels the best Three 6 Mafia songs. Layin' da Smack Down shows Project Pat to be a less-charismatic, more thuggish alternative to other Dirty South artists such as Eightball or OutKast, one of the slighter talents in the Three 6 Mafia stable. ~ Rev. Keith A. Gordon
Already notorious for guesting on the Dirty South anthem "Sippin' Some Syrup" and then blowing up with his own "Chickenhead," Project Pat takes it to the next level with his fourth joint LAYIN' DA SMACK DOWN. Produced by Three 6 Mafia members DJ Paul and Juicy "J," (Pat's real-life brother), these jams have their roots deep in the world of playas, hustlas, and hoes. Much like original '70s Mack Willie Hutch, (who appears on the intro to "Choose U" which heavily samples Hutch's classic "I Choose You"), Project Pat provides the soundtrack to the kinds of characters that regularly popped up in Iceberg Slim novels. Women get the short end of the stick whether it's a raw ode to oral sex ("Still Ridin' Clean"), a "typical ghetto broad" taking a drug rap for her pimp ("Take Da Charge"), or just garden-variety misogyny ("Shut Ya Mouth, B*tch"). Otherwise, Pat rhymes about doing time ("County Jail"), going buck wild ("Make Dat Azz Clap [Back Clap]" featuring Juvenile), and the glories of drink ("That Drank") and drugs ("Smokin' Out"). Also included is a bonus disc featuring four songs with acco