Fat Joe

Fat Joe, born Joseph Antonio Cartagena on August 19, 1970, in the Bronx, is a renowned American rapper and influential figure in the hip-hop world. He began his career in the early 1990s as part of the Diggin’ in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.), a collective known for its heavy contributions to the underground rap scene. Fat Joe’s debut solo album Represent (1993) included his first hit single, “Flow Joe,” which reached the top of the Hot Rap Songs chart.

Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Fat Joe solidified his reputation by forming the Terror Squad, a hip-hop group and record label that helped launch the careers of Big Pun, Remy Ma, and DJ Khaled. His third studio album, Don Cartagena (1998), achieved commercial success, and his 2001 album Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.) went platinum, featuring the hit single “What’s Luv?” with Ja Rule and Ashanti.

One of his biggest successes came with the 2004 single “Lean Back,” a collaboration with Remy Ma, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became a cultural phenomenon. Fat Joe continued releasing hits like “Make It Rain” (featuring Lil Wayne) in 2006 and “All the Way Up” (with Remy Ma) in 2016. Over the years, he has maintained relevance not only through his music but also by appearing in films and hosting the podcast Coca Vision, where he discusses music and pop culture.

Raised in the South Bronx, Fat Joe is of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent. He often credits hip-hop with shaping his life, helping him overcome early struggles, including stealing to support his family. Fat Joe has also been vocal about his Latino heritage, striving to break barriers for other Latino artists in the hip-hop industry. Despite conflicts with other artists, including a notable feud with 50 Cent, Fat Joe has sustained a long and impactful career, earning respect across the hip-hop community.