Fat Joe Claims 2024 Could Be “The Worst Year Ever in Hip Hop History”

Fat Joe believes that 2024 might go down as the worst year in Hip Hop history, but not for the reasons many might expect. The legendary Bronx rapper shared his thoughts during a recent appearance on Math Hoffa’s My Expert Opinion podcast (published December 17). For Joe, it’s the turmoil surrounding some of the genre’s biggest figures, both personal and public, that has made this year particularly challenging.

A Year of Scrutiny for Hip Hop’s Legends

When asked about the state of Hip Hop, Joe didn’t mince words, highlighting the personal battles many of his peers have faced. He pointed to the ongoing drama between his close friend Remy Ma and her estranged husband Papoose as just one example of the difficult year for the culture.

Joe expressed frustration over the scrutiny facing many influential figures in the Hip Hop world, saying, “I woke up 2024 feeling like, ‘[God damn it!] It’s been a horrible year.’” He continued, calling 2024 possibly the worst year ever in Hip Hop history due to the heightened visibility of personal issues and public conflicts within the industry. “All our legends, all our mentors getting scrutinized,” he added, referring to how many established figures have been under intense public scrutiny.

Fat Joe’s Thoughts on Remy Ma and Papoose’s Issues

On the subject of Remy Ma and Papoose’s recent public issues, Fat Joe shared his personal disappointment. As a close friend of Remy Ma and the godfather of her and Papoose’s daughter, Joe explained the difficulty of witnessing the couple’s rift play out in public. While he has tried to intervene, he admitted that the situation was out of his control.

Joe explained, “It’s a hard situation. I don’t like none of that shit. What I can’t do is stop it. They won’t listen to me.” He added that he wouldn’t get involved in the couple’s matters any further, acknowledging the complexity of relationships, especially when the individuals involved are husband and wife. “This is your husband. I can’t get in the middle of that, that’s y’all,” Joe explained, expressing that sometimes even close friends and family can’t fix things.

He also shared the disheartening sequence of events leading up to their public dispute. The night before the social media fallout, Fat Joe and other members of Terror Squad had enjoyed a dinner together at a restaurant in New York City, paid for by Papoose. Joe recalled waking up to his phone flooded with messages about the online drama between Remy and Papoose.

Clarification from Papoose

In response to Fat Joe’s comments about the dinner, Papoose took to Instagram Stories to clarify his position. He explained, “Peace to my brother @fatjoe I think y’all misunderstood his interview. I was not at @brooklynchophouse with them. I do spend thousands of dollars there regularly. I love that place!” This clarification served to address any confusion and show that despite the controversy, there is still respect and understanding between the two.

A Challenging Year for Hip Hop and Celebrities

For Fat Joe, the overall theme of 2024 has been one of difficult transitions, with many long-time figures in the Hip Hop community facing personal and public challenges. The pressures of celebrity and the constant scrutiny of personal lives have made this a trying year for the culture, leaving Joe to reflect on the complexities of fame in today’s social media age.