Although a legend in his own right, Fat Joe lost out on the opportunity from joining Biggie and Tupac in a cypher during a Big Daddy Kane show. However, the Terror Squad rapper thanks the “Smooth Operator” hitmaker for preventing him from embarrassing himself. During an episode of Angie Martinez’sIconic Records podcast, Fat Joe detailed the freestyle session, which took place at the 1993 Budweiser Fest at Madison Square Garden. Joe explained that he was in the front row when Biggie and ‘Pac walked through the tunnel to an uproar from the audience.
“The whole crowd’s like, ‘Ahhh!’ They couldn’t believe it was ‘Pac and Big,” Joe recalled. He recalled Tupac inviting him on stage where they delivered the iconic live freestyle. However, the Bronx rapper said he was “nervous as hell” to join the two legends on stage as he didn’t have any rhymes prepared. “You want to talk about standing next to somebody, I was on fucking stage with Biggie and ‘Pac! [I was] nervous as hell because all I had was ‘Flow Joe,’ I ain’t have no bars ready, fucking nothing,” he said.
Big Daddy Kane Intervenes
The microphone got passed around the stage with Tupac and Biggie delivering an incredibly rare performance together. However, once it got to Joe, Big Daddy Kane intervened and prevented him from dishing out bars. “They passed me the mic. ‘Yo, Fat Joe!’ Then Big Daddy Kane interrupted and goes, ‘Yo, yo, we ain’t go no time’ … It’s ok, Big Daddy Kane, I love you,” he said. “Big Daddy Kane might have saved me ’cause I would’ve did some bullshit.”
Kane previously corroborated this claim, although he didn’t seem aware that Fat Joe was unprepared. During an appearance on Drink Champs, he explained that he was signaled to wrap up his set, which ultimately led him to grab the microphone from Joe. “Joe was next up to rhyme when they gave me the ‘wrap it up,’ like, ‘You got five minutes.’ So I wasn’t even able to bring Joe on, but Joe was standing with the mic ready,” Kane recalled. “If I would’ve had five more minutes, he would’ve been on there, real talk.”
Fat Joe thinks major labels are a scam. Recently, the rapper made an appearance at The Future of Everything Festival by the Wall Street Journal on May 4th, where he criticized the major label system and described it as a “Ponzi scheme.” Although he was previously signed to Atlantic Records, he is now an independent artist. During the festival, Fat Joe reflected on his past experience in the industry and how it led him down his current path. In fact, he has been independent for quite some time. He left Atlantic in the mid-2000s before the release of his 2006 album, Me, Myself & I.
To begin with, Fat Joe expressed his skepticism towards the major label system, stating “I don’t believe in these people.” He then elaborated, saying “For one, I feel like the major label system is a Ponzi scheme and they do funny math.” This is not a rare opinion of the major label system, as many artists have called them out for their 360 deals and other shady business practices. Fat Joe continued, emphasizing the issue with their accounting methods: “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…’” Joe continued, “And then when you look at [their] chart and they say 62.1%, 1.2… it’s funny math.”
At the festival, Fat Joe continued to share more stories about his time with major labels. He even brought up how other artists had told him they had the same issues. “I was talking to [Jennifer Lopez] about it and you know, J. Lo is a megastar and she was like, ‘Man, you know these guys, they only give you this. You never recoup, you know,’” Joe said. Even a megastar like Jennifer Lopez can’t seem to escape the shady dealings of major labels.
At one point, a label executive even insulted Fat Joe to his face. The rapper was outsold by T.I., and the label took it as an opportunity to tell Joe that he was nothing in comparison. “[Atlantic’s president] tells me in my face, ‘Man, you’re a failure. You only sold a half-a-million. Look at this guy.’ And it was T.I. ‘He sold two million records. He’s the guy.’ Bro, they changed the six-story poster to T.I. so fast,” Joe said. What do you think of Fat Joe’s opinion of major labels? Sound off in the comments below!
In case you haven’t already noticed, Fat Joe is a huge fan of the New York Knicks. Overall, he actually has quite a bit to cheer about these days in regard to the team. As it stands, they are in the second round of the playoffs and are taking on the Miami Heat. Although the Heat are up 1-0 in the series, it does seem like the Knicks have a real shot at winning this round. They have some great pieces, and the game is coming together for them. Consequently, Fat Joe is more excited about the team than he’s ever been.
If you are a Knicks fan, you know that Game 2 is set to go down on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. Fat Joe is going to be at the game, and you know he is going to bring the energy. Furthermore, he is going to bring it when it comes to his fashion. The rapper is a known sneakerhead and his collection is extensive. He has at least one colorway of pretty well every single Michael Jordan silhouette, and you can be sure he has them in Knicks schemes as well. That said, Fat Joe has quite the rotation for tonight.
In the image above, Fat Joe showcased six pairs of shoes that we may see tonight. This includes the Air Jordan 8 in Knicks home and away make-ups, the Air Jordan 10, the Air Jordan 4, the Air Jordan 2, and even the Air Jordan 3. Overall, some may say this is overkill. However, for Fat Joe, this is simply just another day at the office. No matter what, there is no doubt that these shoes will pair very nicely with his New York Knicks jacket.
Hopefully, his sneaker rotation proves to be a good luck charm for the Knicks tonight. They have a lot riding on this game. If they lose, they will have to go back to Miami down 0-2. At that point, the series could very well be over. However, if they win tonight, then this is likely a series that will go the distance. Give us your predictions, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sports world.
Insane concert ticket prices have been the talk of the entertainment industry in recent months, but many Americans are more concerned with healthcare prices. Last week, hip-hop artists Fat Joe, French Montana, Rick Ross, and Busta Rhymes teamed up to perform at a “Power to the Patients” advocacy event in Washington DC, bringing awareness to significant issues in the American healthcare system.
The event was sponsored by “Power to the Patients,” a non-profit organization fighting for a more affordable and equitable healthcare system price transparency.
At the event, which was attended by cele French Montana stated that he was involved in the event because he didn’t think that people should be “blindsided” anymore by astronomical healthcare bills, saying that patients “needed prices up front” and that he hoped the event could help the American healthcare system “move forward.”
Rick Ross got on stage and said that people should know if they “gotta sell your house to save your parents” with regard to inconsistent hospital bills.
On the organization’s website, alongside a YouTube video about the subject, Fat Joe explained why he was passionate about the cause, writing:
“We have to change the healthcare system and hold hospitals and insurers accountable to provide more transparency on the price of care. They are charging way too much money and the bills are not even consistent. Somebody could get an MRI for $300 and someone right behind them could be paying thousands for the same MRI. Right now, millions across the country are being dragged into debt because they’re blindsided by the cost of these medical bills. Families are falling apart. People are losing their homes. People are getting bankrupted because of hospital bills and healthcare. Knowing prices is the only way we will be able to lower our costs in healthcare. So, we have to fight for the people. We all have to talk to our politicians and talk to everybody. It’s in the law that hospitals and insurers need to post prices and we all need to know this. I teamed up with Power to the Patients to educate our communities on their rights and help put an end to this injustice.”
Fat Joe’s imprint on Hip Hop is unmatched. His rise arrived next to the late-great Big Pun, and the pair became formidable forces in the industry. Following Pun’s untimely passing, Joey Crack did his best to honor his friend’s memory while continuing to become one of Hip Hop’s elite. The award-winning hitmaker has done just that.
In the early 2000s, Terror Squad was a force to be reckoned with Joe at the helm. Often, we’ve seen Joe with his best friend and hitmaking partner Remy Ma collide on a track. However, she is one of many collaborators of Joe’s that have joined him at the top of the charts. While many of today’s artists shun away from certain contemporaries, Joe often works with creatives from around the globe. Whether they’re from his stomping grounds of the Bronx (like Cardi B), making hits in the South (with the likes of Rick Ross), or grooving in the West (with Ty Dolla $ign), Joe isn’t afraid to link in the studio.
Throughout the years, Fat Joe has proven to be in the conversation as a great emcee. Undoubtedly, he’s one of the greatest rappers to come out of New York. Let’s look at some of his best work.
13. “Pullin” With Dre & Lil Wayne (2019)
Fat Joe makes a good rap record on “Pullin’.” It’s neither a club record nor a song for the ladies. On “Pullin,” Crack wasn’t going for a commercial hit. He taps Lil Wayne and his long-time collaborator, Dre, for features. Wayne and Crack link up again as they have appeared on the same track together plenty of times.
12. “Money Showers” With Remy Ma ft. Ty Dolla $ign (2017)
“Money Showers” might be part two to “Make It Rain.” He even uses a popular line, “I make it rain on them h***,” from the 2006 hit in “Money Showers.” Both songs are indeed meant for the strip club. The music video for “Money Showers” takes place in a club as it is influenced by the 1998 movie, The Players Club.
Instead of a heavy rap club record, Fat Joe opts to go for a smooth, subtle Hip Hop-R&B blend. Remy Ma’s aggressive flow complements this peaceful production. Joe taps into the new school R&B by linking up with Ty Dolla $ign. This gives the typical Fat Joe-Remy Ma collaboration a modern sound.
11. “John Blaze” ft. Nas, Big Pun, Jadakiss, & Raekwon (1998)
“John Blaze” is one of the best “posse cuts” in Hip Hop history. Some of the best lyricists we have ever come across come together on this track. Jadakiss, Raekwon, Nas, and Big Pun took turns on “John Blaze.” Including Fat Joe, it’s hard to decide who had the best verse. Many will go with Pun, but you can’t go wrong with any of the five heavy hitters.
10. “Yes” With Cardi B & Anuel AA (2019)
Fat Joe taps into his Latin roots on “YES.” Whether he collaborates with Latin artists or shouts his culture out on a song, the Bronx native makes sure to represent. He gets help from Cardi B and Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA. “YES” has a Latin feel to it as Fat Joe samples a salsa song to loop throughout the track. It’s another track for the ladies, unlike “Another Round” or “I Won’t Tell.” It’s more of a strip club record like “Make It Rain.” What better way to make a club anthem than to have a former stripper on the track?
9. “So Excited” ft. Dre (2017)
If you heard “So Excited” and “Attention,” you may get the same feeling from both songs. And it’s not just because Dre is on both tracks. Fat Joe keeps the energy fun and light with “So Excited.” It’s another bop for Crack as he adds one more party record to his catalog. His ability to appeal to all audiences should not go unnoticed.
8. “Attention” With Chris Brown & Dre (2018)
“Attention” feels just like “Sunshine (The Light).” Instead, it’s an original song, as Crack grabbed Chris Brown and Dre for this one. Fat Joe has a knack for making records that feel like the summertime. It seems as if Scott Storch is his go-to producer for his hit records. This is the third time they have linked up and been successful.
7. “Sunshine (The Light)” With Amorphous & DJ Khaled (2021)
Fat Joe has a knack for making songs to dance to. What’s interesting about “Sunshine (The Light)” is how it came about. DJ Amorphous is known for creating mixes of different artists’ songs. His mashup of Rihanna and Luther Vandross caught the attention of Fat Joe and DJ Khaled. Amorphous combined Vandross’s “Never Too Much” with Rihanna’s “Kiss It Better.” Fat Joe’s smooth flow is perfect for this sound. The title of the song perfectly describes the feeling of this tune.
6. “Another Round” ft. Chris Brown (2011)
”Another Round” is one for the ladies. However, this one is a bit more intimate as Fat Joe taps Chris Brown to make a slow jam. Not to be compared to the similar sounds of the 90s, “Another Round” is more modern. The sound feels R&B, but the drums make it Hip Hop. ”Another Round” is an example of Fat Joe taking a page from Big Pun or the Notorious B.I.G.’s book.
5. “I Won’t Tell” ft. J. Holiday (2008)
For this track, Fat Joe calls on J. Holiday to create “I Won’t Tell.” This was another hit for Joe as it landed in the Top 40. He also has a knack for collaborating with artists while they’re hot. First Lil Wayne, now J. Holiday. ”I Won’t Tell” was Fat Joe’s lead single for his album, The Elephant in the Room. Many believe it was solely for radio, but nonetheless, it is another hit in Joe’s catalog.
4. “All The Way Up” With Remy Ma ft. French Montana, Infrared (2016)
Decades later and Crack is still making hits. Grammy-nominated hits, that is. ”All The Way Up” was one of the best songs in 2016. It was nominated for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance. The hit song even got the attention of arguably the greatest rapper of all time, Jay-Z. To everyone’s surprise, he was on the official remix. Hov’s presence on the record gives it more of a New York feel. First “Lean Back” and now “All The Way Up,” it’s safe to say Fat Joe knows how to make a song for the Big Apple.
Fat Joe makes a song the ladies can enjoy on “What’s Luv?” Ashanti elevates the song with her catchy chorus. Their chemistry on this track makes you wonder why this is their only track together. Fat Joe gets his first Top 10 with “What’s Luv?” while also creating another memorable moment for Hip Hop in the 2000s.
2. “Make It Rain” ft. Lil Wayne (2006)
The North and South collide on “Make It Rain.” Fat Joe taps Lil Wayne for this Grammy-nominated hit. It was up for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2008. ”Make It Rain” was so popular that it called for a remix. Birdman, Rick Ross, R. Kelly, Ace Mac, and T.I. all joined Fat Joe and Wayne for the updated version.
1. “Lean Back” – Terror Squad ft. Fat Joe & Remy Ma (2004)
Fat Joe and Remy Ma joined the Terror Squad and created a dance craze with “Lean Back.” Now, it wasn’t the most complex move ever, but it sure was popular. Whenever Fat Joe said, “Do the rockaway, now lean back, lean back…” people of all ages did just that. ”Lean Back” is arguably one of the best songs of the 2000s. Any time you can create a great song with a popular dance craze is a success. The 2004 hit is a huge party record, giving Fat Joe another No. 1 hit.
French Montana’s journey toward achieving mainstream international success has not been easy. The “Ain’t Worried About Nothin’” rapper is ready to showcase the trials and tribulations on full display in his forthcoming documentary For Khadija. Executive produced by fellow musician Drake and his record label’s founder Diddy, the film includes never-scene-before clips of the recording artist’s start in the rap game, growing up in the South Bronx, his return to his native country Morocco, and more. Artists like Drake and Fat Joe make appearances in the trailer.
Pulling it’s name from Montana’s mother, Khadija Guled, the film’s trailer is a heartbreaking look at the high and lows of his career thus far.
“Us watching America as kids, they sell you the dream. They don’t show you that behind those buildings, there’s the nightmare part,” declared Montana. From his time as a street dealer, to the imprisonment of his longtime friend and collaborator Max B, dealing with the emotional scarring the abandonment of his father left him with, For Khajida leaves no stone unturned.
With everyone celebrated victory, Montana has quietly battled a few losses proving that everything that a life in the limelight isn’t always glitter and gold.
For Khadija is slated to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June. For more information, click here.
A quarter of a century ago, Christopher Rios, aka Big Punisher, put out his first LP, Capital Punishment, on Loud Records.
Released by Fat Joe and the Terror Squad on Loud Records, Pun’s highly anticipated album showcased Pun’s unequaled lyrical ability, comedic punchlines, and ever-evolving style that his son Chris Rivers has inherited from his pops.
Album highlights include joints like “You Ain’t A Killer,” “Super Lyrical,” featuring The Roots’ Black Thought, and the platinum-selling album that propelled the album to a million sales, “Still Not A Player.”
Salute to Fat Joe, the Rios family, the Terror Squad, and the entire Loud staff for this classic!
Fat Joe is normally one to let folks know to pay what it cost. As he infamously said in a viral Instagram video, “Yesterday’s price is not today’s price!” However, he has a different perspective when it comes to healthcare. Earlier this week the Terror Squad ring leader tapped a few of his rap contemporaries to do something about unfair hospital pricing. Joe’s linking up with Busta Rhymes, French Montana, and Rick Ross to perform in Washington D.C. to raise awareness for more transparency in hospital billing.
Additionally, Fat Joe is partnering with Power to the Patients to put the event together. Joe’s worked with the organization that targets and helps with hidden healthcare fees, before and even starred in a public service announcement they released last year. Not only that, the Don Cartagena spoke about the need for healthcare reform and his decision to work with Power to the Patients in a statement from The Hills In The Know. He told the outlet, “Our healthcare systems need comprehensive reform and I remain committed to using my platform to work alongside Power to the Patients and give a voice to the voiceless.” Moreover, Fat Joe spoke on the need for more transparency from healthcare providers so patients can get a transparent understanding of the cost of their medical bills.
Recently, TMZ caught up with the “Lean Back” rapper as he made his way to Capitol Hill. The gossip blog documented Fat Joe’s speech as he addressed the congregation as a proud Bronx native. The rapper gave credit to his borough and his community saying it protected him. Along with that, he also made note that the people within his community both Black and Brown oftentimes don’t have their voices heard. He compared their cries to a “dog howling at the moon.” Later he mentions that it’s the Black and Brown people that are affected the most when it comes to unfair healthcare pricing.
Fat Joe is stepping up and wants his community to know that they have someone in their corner to fight for their rights, their health, and their families. How can you not love this guy? Lastly, during the tail end of his speech, Joe shed light on the difference between a compliant hospital and a non-compliant hospital. He said, “When a read the bill for a compliant hospital, you see what you get.” Joe continued, “A non-compliant hospital will give you the bill and the math is all mumbo jumbo.” It’s dope to see celebrities taking a stand for the little guy. What do you think about current healthcare prices? Let us know below!
LL Cool J’s “Rock The Bells” festival is set to return this year with a boost from a $15 million investment led by Paramount Global. The news comes on the heels of the rap legend’s hosting gig at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards. Paramount Global has announced a $15 million investment in LL Cool […]
