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Fat Joe’s debut album Represent just turned 32 years old. And Fat Joe, being the legend of the Bronx, had to commemorate the day with one of his trademark crazy anecdotes that seemed like it was straight out of a movie. The rapper took to social media sharing how wild everything was with the release of his breakout single, Float Your Bi, in 1993-trying to get a career going while literally ducking bullets and police raids.
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Fat Joe went on to narrate the bizarre story about being shot twice while finishing the album. Then, the next day, he was supposed to get together and shoot the Float Your Bi video. Instead, he had to stake out a spot, the shooter worked at, all night long. He basically sat in the car staring at the building till sunrise, got booted out from a nap by cops who kicked down his mother’s door hunting for his brother, and somehow made it all the way to the video shoot that same day.
The rapper said that he believed it was God’s intervention that got him through that time, claiming there had to be more in store for him. He chuckled while he described how he gave the cops an alibi for being at Hunt’s Point at 4 AM, telling them it was because he was jealous over some girl. The whole saga is exactly what early 90s gritty New York hip-hop was about; artists would spend part of their time between music and street life.
The story garnered dozens of reactions from Joe’s supporters. “Best story in his last few years. Believe every word. 32 years of relevance can’t be ignored!” One other stated, “The universe had other plans for you.” Many that were from that era put in an extra word to affirm the veracity of Joe’s story, one said, “80s n 90s was a different world, just had to be there.”
For the longtime fans that remember when the video to Float Your Bi was going around on video shows, the post opened a nostalgic window. “I remember the 1st time it came on Video Box. The thing is Joe wasn’t known as a rapper. We was hustling. He was hustling …when I walked in the house and seen him on TV that was crazy to me,” stated one guest. Of course, many more fans expressed shock at how fast time has passed with one holding forth, “Amazing that the albums I grew up with will soon have 30 and 40 year anniversaries.”
While most appreciated Joe’s relevance up until now, some doubted the veracity of his storytelling. One critic even went so far as to say, “Shut up fat Joe always lying telling him he’s corny stories.” But overall, there was appreciation for someone who had kept his real name under his belt for 30 years and has never been shy about discussing his rise.
The post is issued in memory for Fat Joe’s rare brand of uniqueness in hip-hop history-of being the bridge from golden-age hip-hop into the modern style while never forgetting his roots. The fact he’s able to vividly tell these stories thirty years later speaks for why he’s still one of the most fun personalities in the culture. Whether or not you believe every detail, nobody can discredit Joe’s uncanny ability to take listeners right back to the very street corners of 90s New York with his stories.
Judging from the comments, the stories would be immediately relatable to those that lived the era while providing the young generation with a glimpse into the raw beginnings of hip-hop. Thirty years later, the music holds strong while the stories keep everyone glued; that’s the fact.
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Additionally, Fat Joe’s collaborations with other artists like Remy Ma also continue to resonate with fans, adding to his legacy. There’s always something to discuss when it comes to the Bronx legend, who has made his mark in the industry.