Patrick Lamark Hawkins (December 4, 1970 – February 3, 1998), better known by his stage name Fat Pat (also known as Mr. Fat Pat), was an American rapper from Houston, Texas, who was a member of DEA (Dead End Alliance) with his brother John "Big Hawk" Hawkins, DJ Screw, and Kay-K, all original members of the Screwed Up Click (S.U.C.).[3][4]
Wreckshop Records released his first two albums, Ghetto Dreams and Throwed in da Game in 1998 after his death. Later releases were on the Screwed Up Click label.
Murder
On February 3, 1998, Hawkins was fatally shot by an unknown gunman at 10440 South Drive, Houston, Texas, after going to a promoter's apartment to collect an appearance fee. The promoter was not home, and he was shot in the corridor outside the apartment.[4] He was 27 years old.[5][6] Fat Pat's murder still remains unsolved.
Eight years later, his brother, rapper Big Hawk, was also shot to death by an unknown assailant.[7]
Legacy
Houston-based UFCheavyweight contender Derrick Lewis uses Fat Pat's 1998 single Tops Drop as his walkout song when he fights,[8] including when he fought Ciryl Gane for the UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 265 in Houston.[9] Comedian Shane "The Young Bill" Gillis used the same track as his intro music for his 2023 Netflix comedy special "Beautiful Dogs". The #1 ranked Houston Cougars Men's Basketball team uses "Tops Drop" as its intro song for home games at the Fertitta Center. As reported by the Houston Press, well over a decade since Hawkins' death, his music continues to be played heavily in the Houston area.[10]
^Simmonds, Jeremy (2008) The Encyclopedia of Dead Rock Stars: Heroin, Handguns, and Ham Sandwiches, Chicago Review Press, ISBN978-1-55652-754-8, p. 575
^ abNewton, Michael (2009) The Encyclopedia of Unsolved Crimes, Facts On File Inc, ISBN978-0-8160-7818-9, p. 160
^Lindsey, Craig D. (February 11, 1999). "That's the Breaks". www.houstonpress.com. Houston Press. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
^Young, Matt (August 6, 2021). "Houston shows love to UFC's Derrick Lewis with mural east of downtown". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 20, 2021. It's hard to find another professional athlete who reps Houston the way Derrick Lewis does. From his patented walk to the UFC octagon as Fat Pat's "Tops Drop" plays to always throwing up the H, Lewis constantly shows love to his hometown.
^Fridley, Mike; Pettry, Jay (August 7, 2021). "The Walkmen: All UFC 265 Walkout Tracks". Sherdog. Retrieved December 20, 2021. Hometown headliner Derrick Lewis kept his flavor local as he went with the late Fat Pat's "Tops Drop," a Southern rap hit from the late 1990s.
