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Born Joseph Cartagena, the rapper started his
career in the early 1990s and achieved success with numerous hit
songs including “Lean Back” “What’s Luv?” and “All The Way Up”.
However, Joe reveals he made his life look easy while he was
going through a lot behind the scenes.
“My son being born autistic, and his mother wanted to give him
up for adoption, or my mother catching cancer, or my brother's
drug addiction or going through depression when (Big) Pun died.”
Rapper Big Pun died in 2000 after suffering a heart attack and
respiratory failure. Joe said his death sent him into a
tailspin.
After contemplating suicide, the Bronx native got help from a
therapist.
Over the past few years, Joe has reinvented himself. He recently
co-hosted two daytime talk shows, and he is preparing to host
his own late-night show.
In addition, Showtime will make a television series based on his
book.
However, one of the most important things for Joe is giving back
to his community.
“Fat Joe, he obviously don't live in the South Bronx no more.
But my, my stores are like a safe haven, a hub for the
community,” said Joe, who owns three “Up NYC” stores in New
York.
“We constantly are mindful of our community and their needs.
And, and we love them and we're not abandoning them,” he added.
His Bronx store features a classroom where both after-school and
adult programs are held.
After three decades in the hip-hop industry Joe felt safe
sharing his picks for the top five rappers dead or alive.
“You got Big Pun. You got Biggie (Notorious B.I.G.). You got
Tupac with the, with the most… Tupac is like a Bible, spiritual
rapper. You got Rakim… Females…Lauryn Hill, probably the
greatest female rapper of all time. Remy (Ma) don't kill me.”
The book will be released on Nov. 15.
(Reporting by Alicia Powell; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
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