Fat Joe

They say good things come to those who wait. For over 10 years, Fat Joe has patiently waited for his opportunity to be among the greats in his field of music. Through years of hard work and dedication, Fat Joe has made his mark on hip-hop music, film, clothing and the culture as a whole. From his humble beginnings in the bullet-riddled streets of the Bronx to orchestrating the rise of the late, great Big Pun to making a whole nation “Lean Back” in 2004, Fat Joe has run the gamut of hard work in the music business and will enjoy the fruits of his labor with the release of his 6th album, All Or Nothing (Atlantic Records) on April 26th, 2005.

Born and raised a product of hip-hop’s birthplace, Fat Joe [Joseph Cartagena] lived and breathed the Bronx. The tough-as-nails demeanor that comes with growing up in crime ridden streets, amidst the raging crack epidemic of the 80’s reflected on Joe when he released his aptly titled debut album, Shit Iz Real on Relativity Records in 1993. Praised for its strong production, the album introduced the world to 200-plus pounds of raw aggressive rap. The album held rap classics such as “Flow Joe” and the DJ Premier-produced title track “Shit Iz Real”. As the only Latino on the East Coast rap scene, this tenacious Puerto Rican/Cuban represented a demographic that had for so long yearned for a voice they could call their own.

The past few years have found Joe catapulting to the top of the hip-hop elite. But with the release of 2003’s Loyalty failing to obtain the platinum status of his last two albums, the world once again cast doubt on Joe’s ability to be perceived as one of the top hip-hop artists. The stage was set for Joe’s climactic statement that would once and forever earn him his spot among the greats. With hip-hop music obsessed with the Crunk sounds of the South and the sample heavy sounds of the Mid-West, Fat Joe, along with his Terror Squad in tow, brought the New York state of rhyme back to the forefront with the infectious single, “Lean Back”. Produced by Scott Storch (Dr.Dre, Beyonce, Eminem, Cristina Aguilera), the single took the music world by storm and became Joe’s first # 1 single atop the Billboard Top 100 charts and most recently garnered a Grammy Nomination for Best Rap performance by Duo or Group.

For 2005, Joe is set to continue his dominance of music with his 6th solo release, All Or Nothing coming out on Atlantic Records on April 26th. This album features the production talents of Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, Cool & Dre, Just Blaze, Scott Storch and more. With the release of the Just Blaze produced track “Safe 2 Say” Fat Joe is continuing his plot of bringing NY hip-hop back while at the same time securing his spot as the King of NY hip-hop. The album proves to be Joe’s best work to date as his rhymes continue to elevate. Over the years Joe has kept his hunger alive studying and perfecting his flow and rhymes. From his first single “So Much More” (produced by Miami heatmakers Cool & Dre) to the Scott Storch produced “Get It Poppin’” featuring Nelly, Fat Joe delivers a tight cohesive album that is sure to please all his fans as well as rise to the top of the charts. Fat Joe also recorded “Hold U Down” with Jennifer Lopez and just filmed the video with her in the Bronx. Although it is Jennifer’s second single the song will also be featured on Joe’s album. With the release of All Or Nothing, the crown is sure to be set upon BX’s finest Fat Joe.