Published: Sunday - April 9, 2006
Words by Archna Sawjani
Fat Joe (Photo: Atlantic Records)
Fat Joe dropped his album, All Or Nothing, last year to a lackluster performance on the charts, although the single "Get It Poppin'" featuring Nelly enjoyed some decent rotation. So, what has the Don been up to?
BallerStatus wanted to find out, so Fat Joe graced us with his presence to talk a little about how Fat Joe -- the artist -- feels street cred is important, how winning a Grammy doesn't mean much, but he still enjoyed it, overcoming his fear of flying, and what the BX native has been doing since last year.
BallerStatus.com: You were born and raised in the Bronx. What impact does the Bronx still have on you today?
Fat Joe: It keeps me well grounded and it keeps me in touch with the streets. There's two things I'm really proud of in my life, and one is being Latino and representing the Latino's across the world. Don't get me wrong, I make music for everybody in the world, but just being a trendsetter for the Latino's in hip-hop and being a major voice for all the Latino's is a true honor and blessing.
The second thing I'm most proud of is coming from the Bronx. The Bronx is the Jerusalem of hip-hop. It's the birthplace, the Holy Land and I'm honored to come from where it all started. Hip-hop came from my neighborhood, where I grew up. Just as a kid being a fan, break dancing, doing graffiti and going to the local jams, I didn't realize I was partaking in hip-hop history. So, it's an honor to know where I come from has had such a huge impact on the rest of the world. Just being from the Bronx is a very big privilege.
BallerStatus.com: Is it not hard when you become as successful as you obviously have, to still relate to the streets and the struggles?
Fat Joe: Nah, not me ma. Not Joe. That's the problem with these other cats (starts to get real passionate)...a lot of these guys in the hip-hop game haven't eaten fried chicken and corn bread in a long time. They haven't eaten their collared greens in a long time. How can you lead the people? How can you walk amongst the people, if you don't really walk amongst the people?
I don't even remember the last time I saw one of your favorite rappers smoking a blunt on the corner with a guy [or] visiting someone in the projects. It's incredible how we are making this street music and most of these guys can't even relate to the streets. They've abandoned the streets. Joe on the other hand is in the hood all day, everyday. I feel if I'm not good in the hood wherever I go -- and I mean wherever I go -- then I don't really want to do this anymore. I talk for the people, so I have to be amongst the people.
BallerStatus.com: What do you feel of the state of the hip-hop industry at present?
Fat Joe: Can I curse?
BallerStatus.com: Go for it.
Fat Joe: Same f---ing sh--. We had a lot more unity in the past. The dirty South is taking over and getting a lot of love, as they show each other real unity and support and have created a movement. But with New York rappers at present, there's no real unity. There was when I first came out...I used to be like in 30 cat's videos doing cameos, as we all embraced each other and supported each other. But, that's not the case anymore.
Also, money has corrupted the pureness of hip-hop. And I'm guilty of it too though, I can admit it. You see, at present, the only way you can stay relevant is if you make a record that they can play on the radio and in the clubs, so it's a lot of party stuff about girls and bling. The state of hip-hop isn't as conscious as it should be.
BallerStatus.com: Talking about the state of hip-hop, you have a great eye for talent by bringing hip-hop one of its biggest stars -- Big Pun. Is finding talent as important as your own individual success?
Fat Joe: Ya know, I just want to help people. I feel like I have a duty if I hear someone that it talented, then I have to help them. It ain't even about me. It's about the fans and helping the culture grow. And if I hear someone that is talented, then I feel I have to help the world get a chance to hear them too. I love what I do and I'm very passionate about what I do, be it my own music or helping other artists. Bringing Pun to light will always be one of my greatest achievements.
BallerStatus.com: Did you feel with your album, Jealous Ones Still Envy, you had to prove a point to all the sceptics who didn't believe you would last without Big Pun?
Fat Joe: When Pun passed, everyone thought it was over for me, even my best friends. That was what made me carry on. Ya know, Pun put the weight on my shoulders. When he was alive, he was number one; he was the best. So when he passed, he put me in the forefront. I had to take over and keep what we started going -- keep Terror Squad alive. I owed it to Pun, if anything.
BallerStatus.com: With your recent work in mind, did you have any idea at all what an international anthem "Lean Back" was going to become?
Fat Joe: When we were in the studio and we did "Lean Back." I thought I knew what it was, but did I know it was going to be number one in America for 14 weeks? Did I know it was going to be one of the dumbest songs ever created? Nah, I didn't know that. We got nominated for the Grammys. We won two Source awards and two Vibe awards. It was mad.
BallerStatus.com: Does winning awards matter to you?
Fat Joe: Well, even though Grammys are full of sh--. It's still a prominent award and you would always want to win it. So crazy, it's like you want something that you know is so full of crap and doesn't really mean a damn thing.
I say in my new album, "Must I be a backpacker, or Black Eyed Peas, or spit consciousness just to win a Grammy? Nah, Big L is in me; the soul of Big Pun is flowing through me. Yeah Biggie Smalls is rolling with me / I'm way over your heads, you lack creativity. Yeah I'm a gangsta rapper..." So, it's just the issue that anytime I'm going for a Grammy, I'm going up against the Black Eyed Peas, and they are cool. They do what they do, but they are the type of groups that the Grammys will give awards to.
50 Cent sold 10 million copies and I saw him go to the Grammy's and was losing to Avril Lavine and sh--. I was sat next too him -- this was before we had a problem -- and I saw how he was itching for a Grammy. Only certain types of artists get Grammy's though. John Legend, more power to you!
BallerStatus.com: I wasn't going to ask, but as we are already talking about him. How is the situation with 50 at present?
Fat Joe: It's not good ma. It will never be good. Never, ever in life will you see me shaking his hand.
BallerStatus.com: OK point made. Moving on then...tell us a little about your new stuff and what you been up too?
Fat Joe: I've just been working hard. It's just so refreshing, as I don't have the record label on my back telling me what type of song I have to make or anyone telling me sh--. I just know what I have to do, and this album -- let me tell you -- is going to be the purest Fat Joe album. It's like a Jealous Ones Still Envy Part II. You're going to understand who Fat Joe really is. I'm not fitting into any formats, or trying to please anyone, but me with this album. I'm just going crazy.
BallerStatus.com: Who are you working with on this album?
Fat Joe: I did a song with Game and Lil' Wayne. I really don't see too many features on this album though. I want to try and do a song with Keisha Cole, but haven't found the song yet.
BallerStatus.com: OK, sounds good. Tell us about "Pimp My Ride International," you're the host right?
Fat Joe: Yeah, I'm hosting "Pimp My Ride International." Actually, for so many years, I was terrified of flying. So serious actually, that I come from Puerto Rico and I never even went to Puerto Rico for ten years. I was that scared of flying. But now, I've overcome it and will be going all round the world, pimping rides.
BallerStatus.com: Well done for overcoming your fear, it must have been hard.
Fat Joe: Yeah. It was real hard, but I did it. God bless me. Now, I can see my fans all over the world. It's really important to me that my fans can meet me now and I can show you guys my appreciation.
BallerStatus.com: What's your motto in life and music?
Fat Joe: Take care of my family and keeping it real. But, keeping it real is much more than a cliche to me. It's looking after your kids, getting rich and going back to your community and showing people that it can be done. It's taking responsibility for your actions and it's showing the world that 50 Cent is p-----. Yep.
Editorials & Columns Soulstice From France Blog #3: Day 4 Embarking on a 9-show winter tour in Europe, one of my goals was just making it through the tour without getting sick. ... full story
Digg It
Del.icio.us
