Joseph Antonio Cartagena, better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper who has been in the music industry for over twenty years.
He first gained recognition in 1992 as a member of the hip-hop group Diggin’ in the Crates Crew, before launching a successful solo career.
His debut studio album “Represent” was released in 1993, establishing him as a rising star in the rap industry.
He has since released multiple albums and collaborated with various artists, achieving widespread success and critical acclaim.
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- Full name: Joseph Antonio Cartagena
- Stage name: Fat Joe
- Date of birth: August 19, 1970
- Age: 54 years old
- Birthplace: South Bronx, New York, USA.
- Nationality: United States
- Occupation: American rapper
- Height: 1.80 m
- Parents: Ernesto Delgado, Marie Cartagena
- Siblings: 1, Andre Cartagena
- Spouse: Lorena Cartagena
- Children: Joey Cartagena, Ryan Cartagena and Azaria Cartagena, 4 years old,
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $5 million
early life and education
Fat Joe was born on August 19, 1970 in South Bronx, New York, USA. He was raised by his parents, Ernesto Delgado and Marie Cartagena, along with a sibling, Andre.
Andre introduced him to rap music as a teenager, and they were both heavily influenced by Zulu culture.
Fat Joe’s Cuban father immigrated to the United States for a better life, while his mother is from Puerto Rico. He is of mixed ancestry and believes in Christianity.
Unfortunately, little is known about Fat Joe’s early life and educational background, as he has not been spoken about publicly and is not known to the media.
However, his upbringing in the South Bronx and exposure to different cultures greatly shaped his music and career.
Profession
Fat Joe, born Joseph Antonio Cartagena, is a famous American rapper with a career that spans decades. Hailing from the Bronx, New York City, he has been a major figure in the hip-hop scene, known for his unique voice, lyrical ability, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Fat Joe began his career in the early 1990s as a member of the influential hip-hop group Diggin’ in the Crates Crew (DITC).
The group, which included artists such as Lord Finesse and Diamond D, helped define the style of New York hip-hop at the time.
However, despite Fat Joe’s success as a member of DITC and early solo albums, he also faced criticism for using homophobic lyrics and participating in feuds with other artists. This caused controversy and backlash throughout his career.
Fat Joe’s solo career took off in the mid-1990s, releasing albums such as “Represent” and “Jealous One’s Envy”. He has gained recognition for his authentic street stories and collaborations with other famous rappers.
In the late 1990s, Fat Joe formed the Terror Squad, which included artists such as Big Pun, Remy Ma and Tony Sunshine. The Terror Squad became a major force in the hip-hop world, releasing several successful albums and singles.
Business breakthroughs and beyond
However, Fat Joe’s success as a solo artist and with the Terror Squad eventually led to tension and conflict within the band, leading to the band’s disbandment.
Despite the setback, Fat Joe continued to release solo albums and collaborate with other artists, including the 2004 hit “Lean Back” with Remy Ma.
While his music may have shifted toward a more mainstream sound, Fat Joe’s lyrics still reflect his upbringing in the Bronx and the struggles of city life. He remains a respected and influential figure in hip-hop.
Fat Joe, Throughout his career, Fat Joe continued to release music, collaborate with other artists, and explore various business ventures.
He has also appeared in movies and television shows. Some of his significant contributions to hip-hop include pioneering Latin rap, mentoring and developing the careers of other artists, and being involved in various business ventures, such as clothing lines and record labels.
Fat Joe’s influence in popularizing Latin rap paved the way for other Latino artists in the genre, and his mentorship and record label ownership helped shape the careers of artists like Big Pun and Remy Ma. Fat Joe has diversified his reach and influence in the music industry through his business ventures.
Awards and nominations
- Best Rap Performance (2017) “Up” (featuring Remy Ma and French Montana)
- Best Rap Song (2017) “Up” (featuring Remy Ma and French Montana)
- Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (2008) “Make It Rain” (featuring Lil Wayne)
- Best Collaboration (2017) “Up” (with Remy Ma and French Montana)
- Best of The Best (2005) with “The Terror Squad”
- Best Hip-Hop Video (2005) “Lean Back” (featuring Terror Squad)
- Other prestigious awards and nominations
- billboard music awards
- soul train music awards
- alma award
- teen choice awards
social media
- Instagram account: @fatjoe
- Facebook account: Fat Joe
personal life
Fat Joe’s real name is Joseph Antonio Cartagena and he has been married to his wife Lorena Cartagena since 1995.
The couple has a son, a daughter, and a son from Joe’s previous relationship. Their relationship has stood the test of time, and they have three children together: 27-year-old sons Joey Cartagena and Ryan Cartagena, and 17-year-old daughter Azaria Cartagena.
Even though Fat Joe is a busy and successful musician, he prioritizes spending time with his family and talks about the importance of family in his life.
discography
- Representative(1993)
- Jealousy(1995)
- Don Cartagena(1998)
- Jealous people still envy (JOSE) (2001)
- Loyalty(2002)
- All or Nothing (2005)
- Me, Myself and Me (2006)
- The Elephant in the Room(2008)
- JOSE 2 (2009)
- The Dark Side Vol. 1 (2010)
- Plata O Plomo (2017)
- film chronology
- Horror Movie 3 (2003)
- Happy Feet(2006)
- She’s Gotta Have It (Netflix series)
- Night School(2018)
net worth
Fat Joe has been an American music rapper for over two decades. He has achieved great success and has an estimated net worth of $5 million.
However, this is only a fraction of what some successful rappers earn during their careers, highlighting the inequalities and disparities within the music industry.
