Born Patrick Earl Houston in 1972, he derives his stage name from the Cypress Gardens housing projects he grew up in. He is known for his slow, rhythmic delivery, a sound comparable to other Dirty South acts like Goodie Mob and early Outkast. Pat Began rapping in the 1990's; after releasing his first mixtape in 1994 he signed to Prophet Entertainment (now called Hypnotize Minds Entertainment), an independent record label owned by his little brother Juicy J (a founding member of Three 6 Mafia). Pat released two albums on Juicy J's label early in his career: 1999's Ghetty Green and 2000's Murderers and Robbers. After appearing on a number of successful Three 6 Mafia songs (most notably on their breakout hit "Sippin' on some Syrup" in 2000) he signed a solo contract with Loud Records, a hip-hop label that at the time supported Wu-Tang Clan and Mobb Deep.