Fat Joe Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Fat Joe’s Net Worth?

Born in New York, Fat Joe is a rapper and producer with a net worth of $4 million. He initially made a name for himself in the early 90s as part of the D.I.T.C Crew before embarking on a successful solo career. He eventually founded his own music label, Terror Squad. Throughout his career, Fat Joe has collaborated with many top artists in the music scene. In addition to his music career, he has appeared in various films and hosts the Coca Vision podcast.

In the early 1990s, Fat Joe emerged as a prominent figure within the hip-hop collective D.I.T.C. (Diggin’ In The Crates). His debut album, “Represent,” launched in 1993 with the popular single “Flow Joe,” which peaked at the top of the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart. This initial success set the groundwork for a career that extended over multiple decades.

Fat Joe is widely recognized for his collaborations, which frequently produced chart-topping singles. In 2001, he released the platinum-certified album “Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.),” spotlighting the hit “What’s Luv?” alongside Ashanti and Ja Rule. Following this, he had further successful partnerships, such as “Lean Back” with Remy Ma, a single that became an emblematic cultural moment and garnered several nominations for awards.

His career also saw him transition into acting, with roles in films like “Scary Movie 3” and “Happy Feet,” adding diversity to his artistry. In addition to music, Fat Joe has engaged in several entrepreneurial ventures, such as managing a sneaker store in New York City and running a podcast where he interviews various artists and celebrities.

Early Life

Joseph Antonio Cartagena, known as Fat Joe, was born on August 19th, 1970, in the South Bronx area of New York City. He is of Cuban and Puerto Rican heritage. Growing up in a challenging and impoverished environment, he found himself drawn into a life of crime from a young age. During his school years, he has described himself as a “bully” and often resorted to stealing to support his family. However, it was his brother who introduced him to his lifelong passion for Hip-Hop music at an early age.

Career

In 1992, he adopted the stage name “Fat Joe da Gangster” and became part of the Diggin’ in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C). This period allowed him to collaborate with various artists, helping him forge valuable connections for his future record label. He began his career with Relativity Records and was prepared to release his debut album by 1993.

Fat Joe’s first solo album, Represent, featured the hit “Flow Joe,” which ascended to the top of the Rap Charts, providing a strong start for his music career. In 1995, he followed up with his second album, Jealous One’s Envy, where the track “Envy” also achieved notable chart success. His encounters at the recording studio led him to work with LL Cool J, where he recorded the track “I Shot Ya” and later appeared in its music video.

During this time, Fat Joe also began collaborating with Big Pun, whom he discovered personally. In 1998, his third album, Don Cartegena, featured collaborations with artists like Nas, Diddy, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The album’s title track became a significant hit, alongside “Bet Ya Man Can’t Triz.” This project also marked the introduction of Fat Joe’s new group, Terror Squad, comprising Big Pun, Cuban Link, Prospect, and others. The name Terror Squad also became synonymous with Fat Joe’s record label, under which he promoted several artists.

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For his fourth album, Jealous Ones Still Envy, Fat Joe continued collaborating with well-known musicians. Irv Gotti produced the album, which featured artists like Ashanti, Ja Rule, and Ludacris. While “We Thuggin’” emerged as a major hit, it was ultimately overshadowed by “What’s Luv.” This track, arguably Fat Joe’s most successful of his career, featured both Ashanti and Ja Rule, becoming one of the most nostalgic tracks from the early 2000s. The immense success resulting from this contributed to a peak that Fat Joe would not surpass with any subsequent album – even with 2002’s Loyalty. Eventually, Jealous Ones Still Envy attained platinum certification.

50 Cent Feud

In 2004, Terror Squad released their final album, True Story, which included the hit “Lean Back,” a collaboration with Remy Ma. The track claimed the number one spot on the charts for three weeks, marking it as one of Fat Joe’s most successful songs ever. The following year, Fat Joe initiated his well-known feud with 50 Cent, sparked by comments made by the latter regarding Fat Joe’s collaboration with Ja Rule. In retaliation, Fat Joe included a diss track on his sixth album, All or Nothing, which also featured artists like R. Kelly, Eminem, and Remy Ma.

As the feud progressed, Fat Joe criticized 50 Cent publicly for his perceived cowardice and lack of street credibility. Tension peaked during the MTV Video Music Awards in 2005 when Fat Joe insulted 50 Cent on stage, resulting in 50 Cent storming the stage while shouting obscenities. The award show quickly shifted to a commercial break.

Following this, Fat Joe worked with Lil Wayne on his seventh album, Me, Myself & I, which produced the Grammy-nominated hit “Make It Rain.” The rivalry with 50 Cent continued during this time, with 50 Cent ridiculing Fat Joe’s new album, The Elephant in the Room, claiming his mixtape outsold it and asserting that he had “ended” Fat Joe’s career.

In the subsequent years, Fat Joe continued collaborating with various artists and released albums like J.O.S.E. 2 and The Darkside Vol. 1. After signing a new record deal with E1 Music, he announced plans to release two additional Darkside mixtapes before retiring. Over the years that followed, Fat Joe maintained his music career, collaborating with artists such as Cool and Dre, Ludacris, ASAP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, and French Montana.

Legal Issues

Throughout his career, Fat Joe has faced various legal troubles. He has been charged with assault on at least two different occasions and has served as a witness in two separate murder trials involving his bodyguard. In another murder case, Fat Joe was present in a car with two individuals who were shot and was subsequently called to testify.

In 2012, Fat Joe pleaded guilty to tax evasion, admitting that he failed to pay taxes on $3 million in income from 2007 to 2010. Consequently, he…
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He received a four-month prison sentence.

Personal Life

Fat Joe is in a marriage with Lorena Cartagena, and they have three children together. His residences have included Miami as well as Tenafly, New Jersey.

Despite shedding 88 pounds over time, Fat Joe mentioned that he wouldn’t be altering his stage name, as it wouldn’t be beneficial for marketing purposes.

In 2022, Fat Joe acquired a custom Rolls Royce Cullinan, spending $450,000 on it.

Real Estate

In 2000, Joe invested $115,000 on an acre of property located in Plantation, Florida, close to Fort Lauderdale. Subsequently, he constructed a custom home spanning 5,300 square feet at a cost of $1.2 million. He put the house on the market in 2010 for $2 million, and it was sold to Instagram influencer Malú Trevejo, who later re-listed it for $3.25 million.

Fat Joe Net Worth (Money & Salary)

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The data originates from 2023 and 2024, with projections extending to 2025 and 2026. We’ve also included forecasts through 2027 and 2028.

Post Title: Fat Joe Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Last Updated: April 17, 2025