Fat Joe

Fat Joe Says He Listens To Biggie Every Single Day

by

Fat Joe has expressed his deep admiration for The Notorious B.I.G. In a new interview, he said that he listens to at least one song from the late Brooklyn legend every day. The recent interview, which took place with Angie Martinez for Iconic Records, features Fat Joe revealing some interesting tidbits about his past and connection to Biggie. He revealed how he facilitated the collaboration between Biggie and Bone Thugs N Harmony for the track “Notorious Thugs.” Futhermore, he recalled receiving the devastating news of Biggie’s passing. However, he went on to emphasize the impact the iconic rapper had on New York City.

According to Fat Joe, Biggie’s death left a lasting void in the hearts of New Yorkers. He described Biggie as the symbol, the essence, and a beloved figure of the entire city, not just Brooklyn. Joe also admitted that the loss of Biggie continues to evoke a bitter feeling. Still, he says that he finds solace in listening to Biggie’s music. According to Joe, it brings him joy and serves as a reminder of the late rapper’s greatness. “It’s always going to give us a bitter taste. We’re never going to get over it,” Joe said. “Every time I have a good time — if I’m on a yacht, if I’m celebrating life — anytime I want to feel good, I put on Biggie Smalls. I hear a Biggie Smalls song every single day of my life.”

Fat Joe And His Role In Biggie’s Career

This isn’t the first time Fat Joe has shared the story of how he played a role in bringing Biggie and Bone Thugs N Harmony together for the collaboration. In a throwback picture posted on social media, the MC revealed that Biggie personally reached out to him. He allegedly requested the involvement of Bone Thugs N Harmony on a song. The resulting track, “Notorious Thugs,” became an iconic moment in hip-hop history. Steve Lobel, who managed Bone Thugs N Harmony, confirmed Fat Joe’s contribution to the collaboration during an interview in 2015. He stated that Joe played a vital role in connecting the artists.

“Notorious Thugs” is the opening track on the second disc of Biggie’s album Life After Death. “Fat Joe calls me and says ‘[Puff Daddy] is gonna call you. I think Puff had called Fat Joe because he knew I used to work with Fat Joe and we were really tight,” Lobel said of the situation. “I worked with Fat Joe, also Big Pun. Puff called and said, ‘Big’s at the Record Plant he want to do a song with Bone.’ I said ‘Ok, let me round these guys up.’” The rest is history. What do you think of Fat Joe’s opinion on Biggie’s impact? Let us know in the comments below!

[Via]

The post Fat Joe Says He Listens To Biggie Every Single Day appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The Notorious B.I.G. And Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s ‘Notorious Thugs’ Couldn’t Have Happened Without Fat Joe, He Explained

by

In March 2021, Fat Joe told Swizz Beatz and Timbaland that he and the late Notorious B.I.G. “cut about five songs together” for an album before he was murdered on March 9, 1997 at 24 years old. This week, Fat Joe is back with more Biggie-related revelations.

Iconic Records, a visual podcast series hosted by Angie Martinez, is digging deep into Biggie’s iconic 1997 album Life After Death. The sixth episode premiered on Monday, June 5, and focused on the track “Notorious Thugs” featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

Around the five-minute mark, Fat Joe told Martinez that he was in the studio with Biggie when he made “Hypnotize,” noting, “From 12 to 1, it was 10 Spanish girls. From 1 to 2, 10 Black girls. From 2 to 3, 10 Asian girls. From 3 to 4, 10 Italian girls. I mean, I never seen nothing like this in my life! I’m sitting in the studio like, ‘This is what it’s like to be The B.I.G.!’ … The ladies loved B.I.G.”

Fat Joe later laid out how he linked Biggie with Bone Thugs, whom he’d “clicked up with” as fellow signees to Relativity Records at the time.

“I would go to Cleveland, hang out with them. I would ride with them on their tour. These guys sold 30 million records, so they were selling out stadiums. The stadiums looked like they was gonna collapse. The stadiums would look like it’s bending,” Fat Joe said. “Biggie hit me up and was like, ‘Yo, bro, I’m trying to get in touch with your guys. They don’t wanna do it. They’re ignoring me.’ They didn’t want to do a song with Biggie.”

He continued, “Just for Biggie to think that advanced because New York wasn’t up on Bone Thugs like that. He knew that they was gigantic, and he was like, ‘Yo, I need to do a song with them.’”

Fat Joe explained that Biggie saw him as “the plug” capable of connecting him with Bone Thugs, but Bone Thugs felt a conflict of interest because “they had already been cool with Tupac.”

“They was like, ‘Yo, Joe, we can’t do it. We cool with Tupac.’ And I’m like, ‘Yo, bro, this is B.I.G. You know what it is to do a song with B.I.G.?! And so, I convinced them,” he added.

Martinez pressed for more details, and Fat Joe rightfully took another victory lap:

“I made them go do the song with B.I.G. I don’t know how to explain it to you in any other language. They’ve confirmed. Like, ‘Yo, you gotta go do it. This is my brother.’ And they’re the happiest people in the world to confirm this because they still touring off that record. That record is one of the biggest treasures in hip-hop, and so, they happy they listened to Fat Joe and they did that.”

Fat Joe additionally relayed that Steve Lobel, Bone Thugs’ manager, was the one to inform him of Biggie’s death. Martinez is joined later in the episode by Lobel, Layzie Bone, and Lil Cease.

Watch the full 45-minute Iconic Records episode above.

Teyana Taylor, Fat Joe, Muni Long, and More Set for Star-Packed Inaugural Harlem Festival of Culture

by

Teyana Taylor x Doug E Fresh x Coco Jones

The inaugural Harlem Festival of Culture [HFC] is set to make waves with an impressive lineup of performers, including Teyana Taylor, Coco Jones, Muni Long, and many more. Taking place from July 28 to July 30 at Randall’s Island in New York, the festival will showcase a diverse array of artists and entertainers, offering attendees […]

The post Teyana Taylor, Fat Joe, Muni Long, and More Set for Star-Packed Inaugural Harlem Festival of Culture appeared first on SOHH.com.

Fat Joe, Cam’ron, Ma$e, And Others To Perform At First Harlem Festival Of Culture

by

The 2023 Harlem Festival of Culture, or HFC, has added some hip-hop superstars to its performance roster. The upcoming event will be the first ever iteration of the festival. It will take place from July 28 to 30 at New York’s Randall’s Island Park. The HFC aims to celebrate the richness of black music and culture. Because of this, the event draws inspiration from the historic Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969. That was documented in the award-winning film Summer of Soul, which was directed by none other than Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson.

Yvonne McNai is the co-founder and technical & talent producer of HFC. She expressed her excitement for the festival upon its announcement. Additionally, McNai emphasized its significance in showcasing the diversity and brilliance of black music and culture. Michael L. Bivins from Bell Biv DeVoe served as the festival’s creative director. He highlighted the special connection between the event and the Harlem community. Furthermore, Bivins pointed out his pride in participating and supporting local businesses.

The HFC Has An Impressive Roster

As seen in the graphic above, the HFC will feature performances by many prominent artists. These include Fat Joe, Cam’ron, Ma$e, Teyana Taylor, Muni Long, and Wyclef Jean. Additionally, MC Lyte, a native New Yorker, has been selected as the host of the event, and she expressed how special it was to be part of the inaugural Harlem Festival of Culture. “As a native New Yorker, I’m honored to host the very first Harlem Festival of Culture. [HFC] has planned something special that I think everyone – whether they’re from around the corner, across the country or around the world – will enjoy,” Lyte said.

Co-founder Yvonne McNai went on to underscore the reason for the festival. “Ultimately, HFC is our love letter to Harlem,” she said. “…we’re excited to grow it into a landmark cultural experience that encapsulates all the things that make Uptown the nexus of innovation, cultural expression and a place of true community-building.” Tickets for the Harlem Festival of Culture are now available for purchase on the festival’s official website. Stay tuned to HNHH for more news on the Harlem Festival of Culture.

[Via]

Fat Joe, Ludacris, Nas, Metro Boomin And More Artists Congratulated Carmelo Anthony On His NBA Retirement

by
Carmelo Anthony NBA Playoffs 2023
Getty Image

Carmelo Anthony formally announced his retirement from the NBA after beginning his career as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft for the Denver Nuggets — the same draft that saw LeBron James go No. 1.

Melo’s impact was celebrated throughout the music world upon his announcement. Melo’s comments section was predictably full of love from the likes of Juicy J (“Congrats mane!”), Lloyd Banks (“Thanks for everything you’ve done for basketball,” and Rapsody (five rose emojis).

“We’ll done [sic] brother we’ll done [sic] @carmeloanthony Congratulations you deserve all the glory,” Fat Joe wrote to caption an Instagram photo of Anthony during his New York Knicks years.

Nas narrated and reposted an Instagram reel made alongside Jumpman — Fabolous reposted the same reel to his Instagram Story alongside, “Congrats on a hell of a career” — and Metro Boomin simply posted a throwback photo of Nuggets-era Melo posting up the late Kobe Bryant:

Melo Kobe
@metroboomin on Instagram

King James might be joining Anthony in retirement sooner than previously assumed after the Los Angeles Lakers were swept out of the 2023 NBA Playoffs by the Nuggets last night, May 22. But for now, it’s about Melo, who ironically last appeared on an NBA court as a Laker during the 2021-22 season.

“I remember the days when I had nothin’ — just a ball on the court and a dream of something more — but basketball was my outlet,” the 10-time All-Star and future Hall Of Famer said in a video posted to Instagram on May 22. “My purpose was strong, my communities, the cities I represented the pride, and the fans that supported me along the way. I am forever grateful for those people and places because they made me Carmelo Anthony.”

He continued, “But now the time has come for me to say goodbye. To the court where I made my name, to the game that gave me purpose and pride. With this bittersweet goodbye to the NBA, I’m excited about what the future holds for me.”

Anthony also explained that he believes his legacy is “more than basketball” and will live on through his son. The video was soundtracked by “All That I Got Is You” by Ghostface Killah featuring Mary J. Blige.

Some of the artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Nas & Fat Joe Lead Hip Hop Tributes To Carmelo Anthony

by

Carmelo Anthony announced his retirement from the NBA on May 22. While the 38-year-old had not played since the 2021-22 season, the news still came as something of a shock to many. In his prime, Anthony was one of the best shooters in the NBA. Furthermore, he finishes his career as the 9th all-time scorer in the league.

After a stellar career at Syracuse University, which included a national championship in his freshman year, Anthony was the third-overall pick in the 2003 draft. He spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Nuggets. before being sent to the Knicks in a blockbuster 2011 trade. After six years in New York, Melo was once again traded, this time heading to Oklahoma City. Less than a year later, he was infamously traded to the Hawks only to be waived five days later without ever suiting up for the team. However, the final years of his career were defined by bouncing from team to team. He played what would become his last season with the Lakers in 2021-22.

Hip Hop Reflects On Melo’s Legacy

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 23: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2021 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 106-100. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

In the wake of the announcement, many big-name stars in the sports world and beyond have shared their thoughts on Melo. First, there was Nas, who narrated an Air Jordans video about Melo’s career. “He didn’t do it for the accolades or the Hall of Fame votes,” Nas said over footage of Melo’s many jerseys. “Boy did it for the kids from Red Hook, the crew from the block, Murphy Homes projects, San Juan, those with hoops dreams, dreams of hope and beyond. So when they look up, they see the sky for what it is: just another place for them to fly.”

Meanwhile, diehard Knicks fan Fat Joe shared his thanks to Melo. Anthony helped the team reach the second round of the playoffs in 2013. Additionally, it had been the first time the Knicks had done so since 2000. “Well done brother well done @carmeloanthony Congratulations you deserve all the glory,” the rapper wrote on Instagram. Furthermore, other tributes came from the likes of Metro Boomin, Ludacris, and 9th Wonder. What is your favorite Carmelo Anthony highlight? Let us know in the comments.

Hip Hop Reacts To Melo Retirement

Ashanti’s Best Hip Hop Collabs: Ja Rule, Fat Joe, & More

by

Ashanti Is best known for her R&B classics and Hip Hop collaborations. It’s no wonder she was crowned “The Princess of Hip Hop and R&B” so early in her career. After her eponymous debut album was released in 2002, she became a global sensation. Her debut single, “Foolish,” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and announced her presence with a bang. From then on, Ashanti successfully became the go-to singer for Hip Hop collabs. She has since been featured on a number of tracks by some of the biggest rappers around. 

Ashanti has partnered with many celebrities as a singer and songwriter. In 2022, her efforts were further crowned with a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She remains one of the most influential musical artists of all time. Additionally, Ashanti’s Hip Hop collabs also helped popularize the rapper and singer duo. Her longtime partnerships with Ja Rule, and features on tracks by Fat Joe, Plies, and more, have made her a Hip Hop darling. 

With over two decades of success, Ashanti’s career is quite enviable. Like many other musicians, she also made a reasonably notable crossover into acting. Her most famous roles are in John Tucker Must Die and Army Wives. She held the 2000s down as a singer with several notable Hip Hop collabs.

“Always On Time” (2001)

“Always on Time” is unarguably one of the most successful songs of the 2000s. The 2001 single is one of many timeless Hip Hop collabs by Ja Rule and Ashanti. “Always on Time” was released as the second single from Ja Rule’s third album, Pain is Love. “Always on Time” further reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, marking Ashanti’s first No. 1 song. It also put the singer on the map ahead of her mega-successful debut single “Foolish” was released. “Always on Time” is the song that set eyes on Ashanti and kicked off her journey in the public eye.

“What’s Luv?” (2002)

“What’s Luv?” is a single by Fat Joe that features Ja Rule and Ashanti vocals. Released in February of 2002, the song dominated airwaves around the world. It was the second single off Fat Joe’s fourth album, Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E). “What’s Luv?” was Ashanti’s second Hip Hop collab that performed exceptionally well on charts worldwide. The single also reached the penultimate spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and was blocked from the top spot by Ashanti’s debut single, “Foolish.” “What’s Luv?” has become one of Ashanti’s signature songs over the years, and rightfully so.

“Unfoolish” (2002)

Though released over two decades ago, “Foolish” is still widely considered to be Ashanti’s signature track. The R&B single spent ten whole weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. “Unfoolish,” while not a hit song, was a promotional single that featured a verse from The Notorious B.I.G. His guest appearance on the track was thanks to a verse from his song “F—king You Tonight.” Overall, “Unfoolish” has quickly become a cult favorite from Ashanti’s endless Hip Hop collabs. 

“Mesmerize” (2002)

Ashanti and Ja Rule reigned supreme in the early 2000s, and “Mesmerize” is one of their standout tracks. The 2003 Hip Hop track features Ashanti and Ja Rule confessing their desire for one another. Both artists also appeared in the music video greatly inspired by the musical Grease. In the now iconic video, Ashanti and Ja Rule play a series of amusement park attractions before riding off together. “Mesmerize” hit the penultimate spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and is another staple in both artists’ discographies.

“Into You” (2003)

The “Into You” music video may have featured Tamia’s re-recorded vocals, but Ashanti’s voice on the album track is unmistakable. “Into You” is a Hip Hop love song by Fabolous, with vocals by Ashanti. Irv Gotti famously refused the singer to appear in the video, which led to Tamia’s version. However, Ashanti still received credit on official singles charts due to the mass appeal of both the album and single versions.

“Pac’s Life” (2006)

“Pac’s Life” is a song that celebrates the life of rap icon Tupac Shakur. The famous single was released as a part of the artist’s posthumous album release. “Pac’s Life” is a Hip Hop and R&B collab that features T.I. and Ashanti. Furthermore, the music video of “Pac’s Life” was highly anticipated and debuted on BET in November 2006. “Pac’s Life” was also filmed at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center, and T.I. and Ashanti appeared in the video paying homage to the legend. With the announcement of an incoming Tupac biography, the single has enjoyed more airplay.

“Body On Me” (2008)

Nelly and Ashanti have rekindled their romance after a decade apart. In 2008, the rapper featured Ashanti and Akon on the track “Body on Me.” Initially meant for her album The Declaration, the single was recorded while the pair were dating. Moreover, the Hip Hop and R&B collab features Ashanti’s sultry vocals anticipating a steamy night with her man. “Body on Me” didn’t achieve mainstream success but resonated with fans of the couple at the time.

[via]

Amazon Music Launches “Hip-Hop X Siempre” Latin Rap Campaign To Celebrate Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary

by

Fat Joe x N.O.R.E.

Amazon Music is set to launch a Latin rap campaign called Hip-Hop X Siempre in honor of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. This campaign explores the fusion of Spanish language hip-hop and will feature artists such as Fat Joe, N.O.R.E., and more. Through unique programming, editorial content, and exclusive releases, Amazon Music invites audiences to delve into […]

The post Amazon Music Launches “Hip-Hop X Siempre” Latin Rap Campaign To Celebrate Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary appeared first on SOHH.com.

Fat Joe Had Some Inflammatory Thoughts About The Major Label System, Calling It A ‘Ponzi Scheme’

by
fat joe label
Getty Image

It should come as no surprise that rap veteran Fat Joe thinks “the major label system is a Ponzi scheme.” Over the course of hip-hop’s 50-year history, rappers have often shared their grievances with record labels and the people who conduct the business of marketing — but not making — music for the masses.

Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest coined “Industry Rule #4080” way back in 1991, and since then, everyone from Chance The Rapper to Megan Thee Stallion has spoken out against the current system. Russ said record labels would become “obsolete” while Meek Mill questioned their accounting practices, while Kanye West once attempted to make details of his deal public.

So, when Fat Joe appeared at the Wall Street Journal‘s The Future Of Everything Festival on Thursday, May 4, and used his platform to blast the recording industry as it’s currently constituted, his arguments came from a long list of complaints filed by a continuum of artists in the hip-hop space.

“I don’t believe in these people,” he said, according to HipHopDX. “For one, I feel like the major label system is a Ponzi scheme and they do funny math. Whenever you try to see something in life, they say numbers don’t lie. If you look at a chart and the numbers are so clear where you could say, ‘The price of this is this, the price of this is this.’ And then when you look at a chart and they say ‘62.1 percent, 1.2…’ it’s funny math. And so we never understood, we never recouped, you know, you had to be like the Fugees who sold 30 million records to make a dollar.”

To back up his claim, he recounted an instance in which even Jennifer Lopez, who he said is “a megastar” complained to him that her records “never recoup” — which means to earn back the initial advance payment a label gives an artist to complete an album.

Of course, there’s a lot of ego involved as well; Joe recalled being disturbed by having a poster of him at the Atlantic office replaced by one of T.I. after T.I.’s album outsold his, which… shouldn’t be surprising, all things considered. But rappers, who often don’t come from a business background, are always going butt heads with the folks whose jobs involve strategizing to ensure their music actually does well in the marketplace.

After all, thousands of new songs and albums are being uploaded daily and the average listener is only going to ever be aware of a fraction of a fraction of them. But when you think you’re the best, you kind of take it for granted that everyone will check for you, without ever being able to justify why. That’s hip-hop, and you’ve gotta respect it. Still, he’s got a point about how the splits work out, and there’s probably a better way to run this industry. Unfortunately, there’s little incentive to change it now.