The enticing aroma of food being made at El Bohio Lechonera on East Tremont Avenue and the sounds of baseball bats at Yankee Stadium have raised quite a few changemakers and world-renowned entertainers. Still, few have represented the birthplace of Hip-Hop quite like Fat Joe. At 12 years old, the wonder kid from the South Bronx told his friend Louie that he would get rich or die trying. Years later, it’s safe to say he stayed true to his word.
Not one for frills or false bravado, he introduced himself to the world 11 years later with a photo of himself sporting a Black jacket and blue jeans on a darkened Bronx street corner and a single called “Flow Joe.” The 1993 single drag raced up the charts, and Fat Joe never looked back. The Terror Squad emperor earned five Grammy nominations and nearly two dozen Billboard Hot 100 entries as he expanded his brand beyond the studio and concert venue. Despite becoming a philanthropist, author, actor, public health advocate, and business owner, Fat Joe still has things to cross off his bucket list.
The multifaceted entertainer and entrepreneur will debut his new show, Fat Joe Talks, on Starz on Friday, October 4. The weekly interview show will allow lifelong fans and new viewers to become flies on the wall as Fat Joe leads refreshing, eye-opening conversations with prominent entertainers, trendsetters, and change-makers from across politics, music, television, film, sports, and business. Throughout the first season, everyone from U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries to chart-topping musician Alyssa “Latto” Stephens will join him as he embarks on his first foray as the regular host of a premium cable show.
Below, Fat Joe took time away from his busy schedule to talk about the 15-year journey that led to the show’s making, what viewers can expect from Season 1, and the possibility of a LeBron James interview in the future.
Starz
According to the show’s description, you’ve broadened your work to include everything from podcast host to policy advocate, proving you are “more than a rapper.” After being in rap and Hip-Hop for more than 30 years, what does it mean to be more than a rapper, and how does this show reflect that?
Fat Joe: The show gives every viewer the chance to be a fly on the wall to a conversation that I’m having amongst friends. Being that they know I’ve been through so much, there’s a lot to talk about. We talk about our humble beginnings, the neighborhoods we come from, tragedies we’ve endured, things that could have stopped us, and how we fought through. Most superstars and icons have the DNA of a champion. No matter what you throw at them, they’re going to fight through it and still come out on top. Somewhere, there’s a little kid that’s watching somewhere that may need to hear that to be inspired and become great, you know? When I drive in a car and I see a woman walking with a bunch of little kids, I say, “That could be Jay-Z. That could be [Barack] Obama. That could be Fat Joe.” I never count them out.
So, this show is coming from a force of energy that’s always positive. It’s about turning a negative into a positive, and it’s all good. That’s what this show is all about. It’s all about inspiration. You meet people who started from nothing and became billionaires. It should motivate you. And it’s all about uplifting the culture. When these people describe me as more than rapper…I’m a rapper first. But I guess they mean the portfolio is diversified or whatever. But you know, I’m always an artist first.
You’ve done a lot of great things within music, and you’ve also done a lot of great things outside of music. You’ve hosted the BET Hip-Hop Awards, The Wendy Williams Show, and The Drew Barrymore Show. How did those experiences prepare you to host Fat Joe Talks?
I was born for this. I remember joining talent shows like everybody in elementary school and junior high and I knew I could do it then. I’ve always dreamed of it, but it was more difficult to get Hollywood to see my dream and my vision. You know, I’ve been trying to get a show like this for 15 years. Some people may ask, “Why, Joe? Why is it your dream?” It’s my dream because when you deal with Hip-Hop, a certain audience listens to it. When you deal with country music, a certain audience listens to it. I have a dream of driving through Nebraska or someplace like that, my car breaking down and I’m able to walk up to a farm and knock on the door. When they open the door, they’ll say, “That’s Fat Joe! Yo, it’s the guy from the show.” You know? That’s what I want. That’s a dream of mine. I can’t believe the dream is really coming to fruition, and man, it feels great!
RelatedWatch the First Trailer for Starz’s ‘Fat Joe Talks’
In addition to Starz, SpringHill, the production company led by LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and others, is also involved. What role have they have played in this show? And is it possible LeBron James could be on the show?
We’re trying to get him, and you know I’m rooting for the Black and Brown, all day, every day. I don’t just talk about it. We do it. When we put something out, we’re representing Black and Brown communities. We’ve got to think about this next generation, just like you. You looked up and said, “Wow. Fat Joe Talks? SpringHill?” Yeah, that’s what it is. Black and Brown babies that came from nothing are in Hollywood inspiring the people and show them in real time what they can do. We’re not just talking about. That’s not what we’re doing. So, it’s an honor to team up with them and hopefully, because they are producing the show, LeBron or Maverick will come through at least.
I’ll end with a teaser for the first episode. During your conversation with Method Man, you reflect on a few of the people you’ve lost along the way, including Big Pun and your sister. If those people could see this show and witness what you’ve accomplished, what do you think they would say?
The other night LL Cool J was being honored, and he asked me to be his guest. At one point, we talked about death. He said, “Well, you know? Nobody came back complaining when they died.” He said, “Our numbers are all coming,” because we talked about Frankie Beverly, Fatman Scoop, and James Earl Jones. What I am hoping is that when I do die, my sister, Big Pun, and everyone else is waiting there like, “Yo, what’s up? We’ve been waiting for you!” If that happens? Oh, man…it’ll be a great time.
Fat Joe Talks, Series Premiere, Friday, Oct. 4, 9/8c, Starz
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