Joseph Cartagena was born in the Bronx, New York, in 1970.  In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he adopted the stage name, Fat Joe, or Fat Joe da Gangsta.  Rapping solo, and as a part of the rap group, Diggin' in the Crates (D.I.T.C.), Fat Joe was signed with Relativity Records.

Fat Joe

Well, you know, I'm a role model as it is. This music right here, kids, families, and everybody needs to understand that this is entertainment. Dip Set ain't really robbin' the liquor store. They livin' nice. They chillin'. Fat Joe ain't killin' people. This is all entertainment.

The Early Years

Joseph Cartagena was born in the Bronx, New York, in 1970.  In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he adopted the stage name, Fat Joe, or Fat Joe da Gangsta.  Rapping solo, and as a part of the rap group, Diggin' in the Crates (D.I.T.C.), Fat Joe was signed with Relativity Records.  He released his debut solo album, Represent, in 1993.  The album spawned three singles.  Two were moderately successful, but Slow Joe peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart.

His follow-up album, Jealous One's Envy, was released in 1995.  This album, more commercially successful than its predecessor, peaked at #71 on the Billboard Top 200, and at #7 on the Billboard R&B chart.  Of the three singles released, Envy was the only one to land in the Top Ten.  Due in part to the success of this album, Fat Joe was asked to be featured on LL Cool J's single, I Shot Ya, with Foxy Brown, Keith Murray, and Prodigy of Mobb Deep.

The Climb to the Top

Fat Joe released his next album, Don Cartagena, in 1998.  It certified gold in sales and peaked at #2 on the Top R&B/hip hop chart and #7 on the Billboard Top 200.  This was his first album to be released digitally, for mp3 download, as well as on CD.  His 2001 release,  Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.), certified platinum, and the singles, We Thuggin' with R. Kelly and What's Luv? both hit the Hot Rap charts.  They peaked at #7 and #1 respectively.  Three more albums were released through 2006, none of which demonstrated sales high enough to certify with the RIAA.

During this time, Fat Joe was also launching his acting career.  His debut role was that of Lonzo Medina in Thicker Than Water.  He performed in nine more movies from 2001 to 2009, plus lending his voice to two video games, Def Jam: Fight for NY and Def Jam: Icon.  

Here and Now

Fat Joe released J.O.S.E. 2 in 2009.  80,000 units sold in the first week.  His next release, Dark Side, is due out in mid-2010.  One of the factors contributing to Fat Joe's success is his use of guest appearances on his albums.  He has collaborated with an assortment of rappers and hip hop artists, including R Kelly, Ashanti, Xzibit, and Nelly.

He also has a movie due for release in 2010.  An Untitled  Matt Walker Creature Project is due for release mid-2010.  It is a sci-fi thriller, and Fat Joe is to play Mayor Jose Salvador.

Did you know . . .

1. Fat Joe and 50Cent have had an ongoing feud, using rap lyrics.  At the 2005 MTV Music Awards, it almost became physical when 50Cent jumped on stage with him.

2. Fat Joe is the voice of Seymour in the 2006 animated movie, Happy Feet.

3. In 2009, he spoke at a school assembly in New Jersey during “School is Cool Week.”

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