# Juicy J
**Juicy J** is the stage name of Jordan Michael Houston III (born 1975), an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, disc jockey, and record executive from [Memphis, Tennessee](https://www.edgepedia.org/memphis-tennessee), best known as a founding member of the Southern hip-hop group [Three 6 Mafia](https://www.edgepedia.org/three-6-mafia), established in 1991.[1](http://thejuicyj.com/) The Library of Congress authority record confirms the birth date of 1975 and the Memphis birthplace, and lists his occupations as rap musician and sound recording executive and producer.[2](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2008130964.html) Across three decades he has moved from underground Memphis rap to an Academy Award, a Billboard Hot 100 number one as a featured artist on [Katy Perry](https://www.edgepedia.org/katy-perry)'s "Dark Horse," and a continuing run of mixtapes and collaborative albums into the mid-2020s.[3](https://www.grammy.com/artists/juicy-j/18520/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name and birth | Jordan Michael Houston III, born 1975, Memphis, Tennessee[1](http://thejuicyj.com/) • [2](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2008130964.html) |
| Group | Founding member of Three 6 Mafia (1991), formed with DJ Paul and Lord Infamous[1](http://thejuicyj.com/) • [4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/juicy-j-mn0000305641) |
| Academy Award | 2006 Best Original Song Oscar for "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp" from *Hustle & Flow*; first hip-hop group to win the category[5](https://www.grammy.com/news/video-juicy-j-continues-to-hustle/) |
| Biggest hits | "Dark Horse" (Katy Perry featuring Juicy J) No. 1 on the Hot 100, 57-week run; "Bandz a Make Her Dance" No. 29 Hot 100, platinum[6](https://www.billboard.com/artist/juicy-j/) • [4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/juicy-j-mn0000305641) |
| Solo albums | *Chronicles of the Juice Man* (2002), *Hustle Till I Die* (2009), *Stay Trippy* (2013, No. 4 Billboard 200)[5](https://www.grammy.com/news/video-juicy-j-continues-to-hustle/) • [3](https://www.grammy.com/artists/juicy-j/18520/) |
| Business roles | Partner in Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang Entertainment, and owner of his own music publishing company[7](https://pitchfork.com/features/5-10-15-20/juicy-j-on-the-music-of-his-life/) |
| Recent output | *Mental Trillness* mixtapes (2023, 2024), *Live and in Color* with Logic (June 2025), *Dem Goats* with Project Pat (2026)[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/juicy-j-mn0000305641) |
## Early life and identity
Juicy J was born Jordan Michael Houston III in 1975, in Memphis, Tennessee; his official site and the Recording Academy biography agree on the name, date, and city, and the Library of Congress authority record independently confirms the date and birthplace.[1](http://thejuicyj.com/) • [3](https://www.grammy.com/artists/juicy-j/18520/) • [2](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2008130964.html) Coverage of his 2024 memoir places his origins in North Memphis specifically.[8](https://www.blackenterprise.com/juicy-j-memoir-chronicles-of-the-juice-man/) His official site lists his genres as Southern hip-hop, Memphis rap, crunk, trap, and horrorcore, and his labels as including Trippy Music, Kemosabe, Taylor Gang, Columbia, and [Hypnotize Minds](https://www.edgepedia.org/hypnotize-minds).[1](http://thejuicyj.com/) The rapper [Project Pat](https://www.edgepedia.org/project-pat) is his brother.[1](http://thejuicyj.com/)
## Three 6 Mafia and Hypnotize Minds
Juicy J formed the group with [DJ Paul](https://www.edgepedia.org/dj-paul) and [Lord Infamous](https://www.edgepedia.org/lord-infamous).[9](https://www.vulture.com/2020/12/juicy-j-interview-the-hustle-continues-three-6-mafia-producing.html) In 1995 the loose collective changed its name to Three 6 Mafia and self-released its debut album, *Mystic Stylez*.[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/juicy-j-mn0000305641)
Commercial rise followed: *Da Unbreakables* reached No. 4 in 2003 and *Most Known Unknown* No. 3 in 2005, the latter spawning the hits "Poppin' My Collar" and "Stay Fly," which at number 13 on the Hot 100 was the group's furthest commercial success.[5](https://www.grammy.com/news/video-juicy-j-continues-to-hustle/) • [1](http://thejuicyj.com/)
## Academy Award and mainstream breakthrough
In 2006 Three 6 Mafia became the first hip-hop group to win the Academy Award for Music (Original Song), for "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp" from the 2005 film *Hustle & Flow*.[5](https://www.grammy.com/news/video-juicy-j-continues-to-hustle/) • [3](https://www.grammy.com/artists/juicy-j/18520/) Pitchfork's profile frames the same milestone as the first rap group to win an Oscar, and notes that Juicy J reinvented himself as a solo artist afterward.[7](https://pitchfork.com/features/5-10-15-20/juicy-j-on-the-music-of-his-life/) The New York Times described the moment as him "memorably collecting an Oscar in 2006" as a member of the Memphis group.[10](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/arts/music/juicy-j-on-ambitions-younger-rappers-and-strip-clubs.html)
## Solo career and the Taylor Gang era
Juicy J released his debut solo album, *Chronicles of the Juice Man: Underground Album*, in 2002, followed by *Hustle Till I Die* in 2009.[5](https://www.grammy.com/news/video-juicy-j-continues-to-hustle/) The breakthrough came with "Bandz a Make Her Dance," a platinum-certified single that climbed to number six on the R&B/hip-hop chart and hit number 29 on the Hot 100.[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/juicy-j-mn0000305641)
His third solo album and major-label debut, *Stay Trippy*, was released in late August 2013 on Kemosabe/[Columbia Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/columbia-records), debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, and was supported by a sold-out 40-city U.S. tour co-headlined with A$AP Ferg.[3](https://www.grammy.com/artists/juicy-j/18520/) • [4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/juicy-j-mn0000305641) • [10](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/arts/music/juicy-j-on-ambitions-younger-rappers-and-strip-clubs.html) That same year he appeared on Katy Perry's "Dark Horse," which reached No. 1 on the Hot 100; Billboard's chart data shows an entry dated October 5, 2013 and a 57-week run, with its four-week peak ending February 8, 2014.[6](https://www.billboard.com/artist/juicy-j/) "Dark Horse" earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for 2014.[3](https://www.grammy.com/artists/juicy-j/18520/)
He became a partner in [Wiz Khalifa](https://www.edgepedia.org/wiz-khalifa)'s Taylor Gang Entertainment.[7](https://pitchfork.com/features/5-10-15-20/juicy-j-on-the-music-of-his-life/)
## Production style and influence
Three 6 Mafia's signature early-1990s Memphis sound combined pianos inspired by horror film scores, dirty Southern drums, and menacing deliveries, and Pitchfork writes that their influence "has never stumbled out of relevance" since.[7](https://pitchfork.com/features/5-10-15-20/juicy-j-on-the-music-of-his-life/) Beyond his own records, Juicy J has produced or co-produced hit singles including UGK's "International Players Anthem (I Choose You)" and [Megan Thee Stallion](https://www.edgepedia.org/megan-thee-stallion)'s "Hot Girl Summer."[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/juicy-j-mn0000305641) He also has production credits across Megan Thee Stallion's debut album *[Good News](https://www.edgepedia.org/good-news-megan-thee-stallion-album)*.[9](https://www.vulture.com/2020/12/juicy-j-interview-the-hustle-continues-three-6-mafia-producing.html)
## By the numbers
The chart record spans group and solo work. Three 6 Mafia albums reached Nos. 3 and 4 on the Billboard 200 (*Most Known Unknown* and *Da Unbreakables* respectively), and "Stay Fly" peaked at No. 13 on the Hot 100.[5](https://www.grammy.com/news/video-juicy-j-continues-to-hustle/) • [4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/juicy-j-mn0000305641) • [1](http://thejuicyj.com/) As a solo act and featured artist, *Stay Trippy* hit No. 4 on the Billboard 200, "Dark Horse" spent 57 weeks on the Hot 100 and reached No. 1, "Bandz a Make Her Dance" peaked at No. 29 on the Hot 100 and [No. 6](https://www.edgepedia.org/no-6) on the R&B/hip-hop chart, and "23" (Mike WiLL Made-It featuring [Miley Cyrus](https://www.edgepedia.org/miley-cyrus), Wiz Khalifa, and Juicy J) peaked at No. 11.[3](https://www.grammy.com/artists/juicy-j/18520/) • [6](https://www.billboard.com/artist/juicy-j/) • [4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/juicy-j-mn0000305641) Further featured hits include Usher's "I Don't Mind" and Ne-Yo's "She Knows," which Billboard lists with peaks in the top 15 and at No. 19, respectively.[6](https://www.billboard.com/artist/juicy-j/)
## Business ventures and publishing
Juicy J's business footprint extends past performing. He is a partner in Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang Entertainment, and he also has his own music publishing company.[7](https://pitchfork.com/features/5-10-15-20/juicy-j-on-the-music-of-his-life/) In a 2020 interview he said he never sold Three 6 Mafia's publishing, retaining ownership as younger artists sampled the catalog: "I never sold the publishing. We never sold it."[9](https://www.vulture.com/2020/12/juicy-j-interview-the-hustle-continues-three-6-mafia-producing.html) He also funded Project Pat's record label as a silent partner, describing the arrangement as "I'll put the money up and y'all just run the record label and I'll just get profits off of it as a silent partner."[9](https://www.vulture.com/2020/12/juicy-j-interview-the-hustle-continues-three-6-mafia-producing.html)
## What has changed since 2023
Juicy J's output has remained steady. The mixtape *Mental Trillness* was released in 2023, with *Mental Trillness 2* following in 2024; a collaboration with Logic, *Live and in Color*, appeared in June 2025, followed by *Dem Goats*, a joint album with Project Pat.[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/juicy-j-mn0000305641) Pitchfork's review page dates *Dem Goats* to July 31, 2026.[11](https://pitchfork.com/artists/12355-juicy-j/) These releases followed a 2022 collaborative album with [Pi'erre Bourne](https://www.edgepedia.org/pierre-bourne), *Space Age Pimpin*, released in June 2022.[11](https://pitchfork.com/artists/12355-juicy-j/) In September 2024 he published his first book, the memoir *Chronicles of the Juice Man: A Memoir*, released September 5, which recounts his 1991 entry into music with Three 6 Mafia.[8](https://www.blackenterprise.com/juicy-j-memoir-chronicles-of-the-juice-man/)
## References
1. [Juicy J, official artist site](http://thejuicyj.com/)
2. [Juicy J, LC Linked Data Service authority record, Library of Congress](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2008130964.html)
3. [Juicy J, Grammy Awards and Nominations, Recording Academy](https://www.grammy.com/artists/juicy-j/18520/)
4. [Juicy J, Biography, Discography, Albums & Expert Reviews, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/juicy-j-mn0000305641)
5. [Juicy J Continues To Hustle, GRAMMY.com](https://www.grammy.com/news/video-juicy-j-continues-to-hustle/)
6. [Juicy J, Biography, Music & News, Billboard](https://www.billboard.com/artist/juicy-j/)
7. [Juicy J on the Music of His Life, Pitchfork](https://pitchfork.com/features/5-10-15-20/juicy-j-on-the-music-of-his-life/)
8. [Juicy J Spills His Life Story In New Memoir, 'Chronicles Of The Juice Man', Black Enterprise](https://www.blackenterprise.com/juicy-j-memoir-chronicles-of-the-juice-man/)
9. [Juicy J on 'The Hustle Continues,' Three 6 Mafia, Producing, Vulture](https://www.vulture.com/2020/12/juicy-j-interview-the-hustle-continues-three-6-mafia-producing.html)
10. ['I Actually Work. I'm in the Studio 24/7. It's Definitely a Grind.', The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/arts/music/juicy-j-on-ambitions-younger-rappers-and-strip-clubs.html)
11. [Juicy J, Albums, Songs, and News, Pitchfork](https://pitchfork.com/artists/12355-juicy-j/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Music scenes › Transnational genre scenes › Hip hop scenes worldwide › Artists, groups, and people: Hip hop scenes worldwide › Southern US rap (Atlanta, Memphis, Houston, New Orleans, Florida) › Memphis and Tennessee rap*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license