Fat Joe certainly knows how to get a reaction out of people on social media. The “Lean Back” rapper has reacted to the negative criticism he received after sharing an Instagram post on Friday where he paid tribute to the Latino pioneers of Hip-Hop, which included Puerto-Rican rap group The Mean Machine and DJ Disco Wiz.
He captioned the post, writing, “Thank you Thank you Thank you for your contribution to HIP HOP.” But after having come across comments from those who weren’t amused by the clip, Joe went on Instagram Live where the topic had diverted from celebrating Latinos in rap to them playing a significant role in shaping the Hip-Hop genre alongside Black artists. “Lately, they’ve been talking about, ‘Latinos wasn’t in rap.’ These guys are f*cking delusional,” he continued. “When hip-hop started, it’s Latinos and blacks– half and half.”
Here’s our proof of where hip hop oriented with us black Americans. We are still waiting for the Jamaicans and Puerto Ricans to show us their receipts. Can you show us a photo or something? Busta, Fat Joe where ya at? https://t.co/mxSnepifJv
— TI 🇺🇸✊🏿 (@neo_ti_22) August 26, 2022
He recounted a few things people said in response to his IG post, recalling how one person told him, ’F*ck that… Latinos wasn’t there, you were invited… You’re a specimen.” This sparked a huge debate on social media, with people torn between whether Black people were the originators of Hip-Hop or, as Joe said, it was also influenced by the contributions of Latinos.
“People like Fat Joe were playing this type of music while black people was fighting for hip hop to be born. After it’s birth they jumped onboard … Latino’s ain’t hip hop! #DoTheRightThing,” one person wrote on Twitter, clearly unhappy with Joe’s remarks.
Another angered Twitter user echoed similar words, penning, “He’s been pushing that “Latino” style #WhiteSupremacy for a while. & now telling bold face LIES trying to #Colonize Hip Hop & erase Black Americans.
While the “All The Way Up” hitmaker most likely didn’t have any bad intentions when he made his post, paying tribute to the Latino rappers in Hip-Hop, it went without saying that the reaction to his words the previous day had clearly upset enough people, prompting Joe to trend on Twitter on Saturday.
People like Fat Joe were playing this type of music while black people was fighting for hip hop to be born. After it’s birth they jumped onboard … Latino’s ain’t hip hop! #DoTheRightThing pic.twitter.com/5jxZOhXKIA
— Speaker (@Spkr2Animals) August 28, 2022
Joe, who was born and raised in the Bronx borough of New York City, to Puerto Rican and Cuban parents landed his big break after releasing his debut album “Represent” in 1993 which spawned the single “Flow Joe.” His best-selling album to date remains his fourth record, “Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.), that featured the multi-platinum-selling song “What’s Luv?” with Ashanti.