Fat Joe is
a veteran. Entering his 19th year in the music industry and with his 38th birthday right around the corner, Joe’s resume already boasts some weighty accomplishments – for instance, he’s a member of the legendary Diggin’ in the Crates (DITC) crew, he’s solely responsible for both of the only Latin MCs to ever reach a million in sales, he’s spent weeks at the top of the charts on more than one occasion, released
8 solo
albums, headed a label and launched a moderately successful clothing line,
– but he’s still not satisfied. He’s been both acclaimed among other things
and disrespected by a wide range of characters from über-rich rappers to backpackers and local pastors, but he still can’t get enough.
He’s one of the few MCs able to enjoy commercial success without it affecting their street credibility, but claims it isn’t something he even has to work at.
26 | Streets Mos Magazine
We recently caught up with the Bronx O.G. and talked respect, motivation and why the industry so often seems to draw a collective blank when it comes to a guy named Christopher Rios. Streets MOS: After nearly two decades in the game, how do you manage to stay relevant in an industry dominated by cats who’ve barely been alive that long? Fat Joe: I just try to make good music, man. A lot of the young guys may not be real familiar with the older stuff, but I’m blessed that certain artists consider me a legend and are willing to work with me so I can make new hits they can rock with.
How do you balance street credibility and the commercial success? I don’t know, man. The street cred kinda speaks for itself considering all the turbulence and other things I’ve been through in the streets. But when it comes to making music, I come from the underground so I’ve always loved makin’ hardcore records, but I also love makin’ hits so I’m kinda caught in the middle.