Chronicles of the Juice Man: A Memoir

by Juicy J.

A memoir by the Oscar-winning, platinum-selling rapper and producer for fans of Rick Ross’s Hurricanes and The Autobiography of Gucci Mane

The hustle still continues for hip-hop OG Juicy J as he shares his invaluable story as an unwavering force in the music industry. Jordan Houston’s rise to stardom was never easy. He began his journey on the streets of Memphis in the ’80s, always inspired by music and with big dreams of becoming a superstar rapper. Jordan stuck to his plan with determination, on a never-ending grind to greatness. From a young, poor, ambitious kid to an Academy Award–winning and Grammy-nominated recording artist and entrepreneur, the Juice Man offers his wisdom as one of the most influential tastemakers in the game.

A raw, intentional portrait of artistry and a never-before-seen look into the making of a respected musical veteran, Chronicles of the Juice Man is an essential read for creatives everywhere.

Genres: Music, Audiobook, Biography, Nonfiction, Hip Hop, Memoir

Audible Audio

Published September 5, 2023

Reviews

[Kaleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! Everything from Juicy J detailing his struggles in childhood to his rise in hip hop was cool to read. The story of the rise and fall of Three 6 Mafia was pretty sad to read. I feel bad for everyone involved knowing that drugs and ego led to the downfall of the group. It seems that Juicy J still has love for them all and he did his best to look out for the remaining members throughout his time in and out of the group. Hip hop fans should give this a look. Memphis hip hop fans need to check this out. I kept thinking of the line “you say no to ratchet pussy, Juicy J can’t” at various times of reading this.

[Konrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing felt scattered at times, but man I enjoyed the hell out of this book. Felt like I was stopping every 3 pages to listen to Willie Hutch samples and old Three 6 tracks. Juicy J is a creative genius and I appreciate how he puts on for Memphis in this book and beyond.

[lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved learning more about the history of three six and about juicy j as an artist and businessman. i knew that the end of the OG three six group had sad circumstances, but it was interesting to get the details and hear about how drugs and ego ultimately destroyed the group. what i didn't know is how shrewd juicy is as a businessman - he knows the industry inside and out. the reason three six remains a moneymaker without most of the members active is that juicy and dj paul stayed as independent as possible and have made smart decisions at every turn.

it wasn't the most well-written book ever, and juicy discussing his personal life is where i feel the book is weaker. however, it's worth reading purely for the three six and music industry discussions.

[Connor Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three 6 Mafia is who made me fall in love with music. It’s sad learning drugs had such a grasp on the whole group.

“Cocaine is the Devil, the Antichrist. It’s a different type of monster” - Juicy J

[LeeTravelGoddess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! I mean Juicy J is one of THEM!!!

[Jonathan Sturgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read. A brilliant look into the mind of a Hip Hop icon and how important passion and a drive are to success. Motivational and entertaining. A must read for music lovers and creatives alike.

[Tiffany Tynes-Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! SOLID 5 STARS! 📚

As someone who grew up in Memphis with Three Six Mafia constantly playing, this one hit different. I had ALL the underground mix tapes back in the day, so getting to read about their journey from the very beginning was amazing. It was so cool to see how it all really started and connect the dots growing up. Juicy J's story from the streets of Memphis to winning an Oscar? Wow.
He keeps it 100% real about his grind and hustle and that is what I loved about this book.
Be ready for emotions, shocking moments, and so much more in this one. If you're chasing any kind of creative dream or just need motivation to keep pushing through the tough times, this one is for you, too. Sometimes you need to hear from someone who's been exactly where you are and made it through. Well Done Mr. Juice Man!

Rating: SOLID 5/5 ⭐ - MUST READ!

[Jim-Sama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Became a Juicy J fan when I was around 12 after hearing “Bandz a Make Her Dance” at the gym. Thoroughly enjoyed this bio because of the openness and vulnerability that is displayed within. Inspirational too💪🏻

[Diana Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fascinated by the parts where Juicy discusses the behind the scenes stuff with Three Six. In my mind… I just figured they were a bunch of hood dudes who made it out and went commercial. In a way, I still think that but I can appreciate and respect the grind and focus it took to make it out of Memphis.

The writing is a little elementary and I’m not sure why but while it makes it easy to read… it feels rushed near the end like they just wanted to get it over with.

The drugs and deaths… sad. It feels like yesterday when we heard Gangsta Boo died. Juicy outgrew the drugs and somehow avoided getting bogged down in Memphis turmoil and I think that says a lot about him and his desire to be successful.

Memphis is hell… he isn’t wrong about that part. I don’t blame him for leaving and giving his children a safer life.

I felt cheated with how rushed his personal life chapters were. He really could’ve left it out if he didn’t want to expand on it. Also, Black men… PLEASE stop letting your mother’s disrespect your spouses like - check that and nip it in the bud. Thankfully his wife seems nice and timid but it definitely would not have been me.

I did feel like I got a lot of information that I wouldn’t have known otherwise but I do think it could’ve been executed just a tad bit cleaner. Overall, still a good read. It was hard to put down.

[Shawberry Likes To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Juicy J, Soren Baker, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press and Netgalley for this ARC.


I love Memoirs and as a Memphis native, I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to review this copy. I. grew up during the Triple Six Mafia, Tear Da Club Up Thugs, Backyard Posse and Da Mafia 6ix era. Like most, I was aware that there were ongoing issues between many of the members. However, after reading, it was evident that many succumbed to the darkness that is prevalent here in the city as well as those who quickly ascend to fame while battling personal demons. I enjoyed the honesty of his words. Despite the death, disagreements and losses, it is evident he still holds love for the members who have passed and the ones that still remain.



#ChroniclesoftheJuiceMan #NetGalley

[LC]

Informative and depressing all at the same time. The audiobook narration stinks. It would've benefited from Juicy J actually narrating. The narrator made numerous mistakes and I'm unsure how it made it past editing. If you're not into hip hop or too familiar with Juicy or Three 6 it may not irk you. Either way worth the read.

[Christy Keeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juicy J.'s life story reminded me of Kevin Hart's story (as described in "I Can't Make This Up: Life Lessons"). They both came from the 'hood under extremely difficult circumstances. They both grew up on the streets and both had several gifts: intelligence, resilience, a sense of fairness, and a willingness to work hard. Hart had a gift for humor; Juicy J.'s gift was music.

I felt the book "dumbed down" the vocabulary for me... I don't speak 'hood and was grateful J. delivered the text with words I understood. He also explained his life circumstances in a way I could understand. His way of life is so foreign to mine that I needed a translator to interpret the culture.

While the story is fascinating to read, J. leaves readers with one major lesson—don't do cocaine. He also teaches the imperatives of identifying what you want and working your ass off to succeed in reaching the goals.

[Leslie North · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book doesn’t really win for best writing, but the history and interesting nuggets about the history of Juicy J‘s career and that of Three 6 Mafia made it worth it. I feel like I know more about juicy as a person and a businessman after reading this memoir. I knew of the group’s history with drugs, but to read his specific recollections of how they eventually led to so many members demise was pretty heavy and sometimes heartbreaking. Would recommend for all Three 6 Mafia fans, and people who grew up on Memphis Rap in general.

My one gripe though was the narrator of the audiobook. (I would listen at the times I wasn’t able to read my physical copy)
There were alot of mispronunciations and really odd and jolting choices for trying to mimic dialects and use character voices. Would have loved if Juicy J had the time to narrate it himself.

[Mikki Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband introduced me to Three 6 Mafia’s music in the early 2000’s, so I’ve been aware of Juicy J for many years. I decided to read his book after listening to him on the Higher Learning podcast. I was able to read this in one day because it flowed really nicely and was just easy to read. It was sad to hear how drugs impacted the group, but empowering to read how J tried to rise above it all and stay on top of his business. I appreciates his honesty about his own addictions and anger issues and depression.

[AliMae Vibez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying I’m a Juicy J fan. This book was very informative on the grind of Juicy J and 3 6 Mafia, along with the behind senses on why the group was so inconsistent with all members showing up at their events. I did feel a disconnect in the beginning with the music history of Memphis. It seemed a little drawn out. Trying to keep up with the people and the history became a task. All in all it was a decent read. I do recommend if you’re a 3 6 Mafia fan.

[Gab DiS · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all memoirs, fans will appreciate this most. But the most admirable thing about this book is Juicy J’s dedication to everything he has ever done. Many musicians found themselves at the right place at the right time, but I found Juicy J to be one of the few who really made things happen for himself and stuck to the path he believed was his. He fought against many temptations but always made the right choice and that makes his book that much more enjoyable.

[Thi-Lai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. I consumed as an audio; I just wish Juicy J would’ve been the speaker. I didn’t grow up in the south and wasn’t exposed to southern hip hop until my time at HU (everything I knew was out of NY or WC) but I REALLY loved his chronology of Memphis hip hop in tandem with my own memories of southern rap in the late 90s and 2000s/2010s, while at Howard with a lot of people from the south💯

[Angela Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a Memphian, it was really good to hear his story of growing up and living here. This memoir is more like a memory book. He recounts snippets of his life. I appreciate the rawness and transparency in his story. It's a cautionary tale about living in the street and drug use. He seems to have found peace in his life now.

[Michael Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juicy J’s life story from promising Memphis musician to Oscar Winner is told extremely well by himself and Soren Baker. Pretty much anyone into Three 6 Mafia or his solo work should love the details behind the creation of some of their biggest tracks and relationships Juicy J had with the members of Three 6 Mafia, some of whom are sadly no longer with us.

Great read.

[Charlie Pasta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why was chapter 7 so much longer than any other chapter? They had so many opportunities to break it up. Weird choice.
The book is fine. I definitely enoyed it but its very plain and feels like it is lacking an actual voice which lines up with the way he describes himself as an untrusting person. The book feels a bit too reserved for my taste.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cool insight into the rise of Juicy J. Loved how transparent he was throughout the book about his relationships with former collaborators and how dangerous the rap/music industry can be. Really made me want to start rapping, but I’m white and from the suburbs so I’ll stick to singing along in the car

[Mahir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure why I picked up this book from the library, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the pioneering life of Juicy J and Three 6 Mafia. The book provided an in-depth history of Memphis' music scene; Juicy J's rise as label executive, producer, and rapper; and the re-emergence I better know him for (post-2008 music). Not a preachy or verbose book as is common with biographies.

[Lauren Rickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrator is a little annoying. He mispronounces a lot of things. For example, the rapper’s name is RZA, pronounced Rizza, he said R-Z-A. He mispronounced some Three Six songs titles too. The book was good overall, it was the narrator that bothered me.

[Buchi Chilaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and nostalgic chronicle of a hardworking musician, producer, and artist. The DNA of hip hop is alive within the story of Three Six Mafia, and it’s nice to hear one perspective of their journey.

[Cody Hausman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good! These memoirs are always hit or miss but Juicy delivered. It was real, authentic and also really good story tell and the usage of the Oscar’s win to transition from Three 6 Mafia to Solo career was excellent.

[HTP Books]

Personal Memoirs, Rap & Hip Hop Music, Entertainment & Performing Arts

[Shawn Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audio version. Great to hear the career of Juicy J, Three 6 Mafia, and the impact on music.

[Kyle Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still on top

[Cori Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Learned a lot about making music and the life of Juicy J!

[Samantha Paradiso · Rating 4 out of 5]

there is much to say here lol .. one of the best intro lines to a book I’ve read in a long time though