Fat Joe Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Curious about Fat Joe’s Net Worth?

Wondering about how much Fat Joe is worth? The New York-born rapper and producer has accumulated a net worth of $4 million. Having made a name for himself in the early 90s with the D.I.T.C Crew, Fat Joe delved into a fruitful solo career and eventually founded his own music label, Terror Squad. Collaborating with industry heavyweights over the years, Fat Joe’s influence has been felt far and wide. Apart from his musical endeavors, Fat Joe has also graced the silver screen and hosts the Coca Vision podcast.

Ascending to fame in the early 1990s as part of the hip-hop collective D.I.T.C. (Diggin’ In The Crates), Fat Joe’s debut album, “Represent,” dropped in 1993 featuring the chart-topping single “Flow Joe,” which claimed the number one spot on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart, laying the foundation for a multi-decade career.

Fat Joe’s reputation largely stems from his successful collaborations with other artists, yielding numerous chart-topping hits. His 2001 platinum album “Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.)” boasted the smash hit “What’s Luv?” alongside Ashanti and Ja Rule. This was closely followed by other fruitful collaborations such as “Lean Back” with Remy Ma, a hit single that resonated culturally and received several award nods.

Expanding into the realm of acting, Fat Joe featured in films like “Scary Movie 3” and “Happy Feet,” diversifying his portfolio. A versatile entrepreneur, Fat Joe has been associated with various business ventures including a sneaker store in New York City and a podcast where he engages with fellow artists and celebrities.

The Formative Years

Born Joseph Antonio Cartagena on August 19th, 1970, in the South Bronx neighborhood of New York City, Fat Joe shares Cuban and Puerto Rican roots. Growing up amidst adversity and economic hardship, Fat Joe turned to a life of crime at a young age, admitting to a history of theft to support his family. His passion for Hip-Hop was sparked in his youth when his brother introduced him to the world of music.

The Trajectory of His Career

In 1992, Cartagena adopted the moniker “Fat Joe da Gangster” and became a member of the Diggin’ in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C). This period saw him collaborate with numerous artists, building crucial connections that would later aid in establishing his record label. Initially signed to Relativity Records, he debuted his first album in 1993.

Represent marked Fat Joe’s solo initiation, highlighted by the hit “Flow Joe” that soared to the zenith of the Rap Charts, catapulting him into the music scene with gusto. Following up in 1995 with his second album, Jealous One’s Envy, the track “Envy” also made waves on the charts, solidifying his career. A turning point occurred when he crossed paths with LL Cool J in a recording studio, leading to an invitation to collaborate on the track “I Shot Ya” and subsequent appearance in the music video.

During this phase, Fat Joe collaborated with the emerging talent Big Pun, whom he personally unearthed. In 1998, his third album, Don Cartegena, saw Fat Joe team up with luminaries like Nas, Diddy, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Tracks like “Don Cartegena” and “Bet Ya Man Can’t Triz” resonated strongly, introducing Fat Joe’s brainchild Terror Squad, comprising figures like Big Pun, Cuban Link, Prospect, and more. The moniker “Terror Squad” extended to Fat Joe’s burgeoning record label, under which he nurtured several artists.

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The fourth album of Fat Joe, Jealous Ones Still Envy, saw collaborations with renowned artists. Produced by Irv Gotti, the album featured Ashanti, Ja Rule, and Ludacris. The track “We Thuggin'” was a major hit but was overshadowed by “What’s Luv,” considered one of Fat Joe’s most successful songs ever. Featuring Ashanti and Ja Rule, the track remains a timeless classic from the early 00s. This success was unmatched by ensuing albums, including 2002’s Loyalty. Eventually, Jealous Ones Still Envy achieved platinum certification.

50 Cent Feud

Released in 2004, True Story by Terror Squad included the hit “Lean Back,” a collaboration with Remy Ma that dominated the charts for three weeks. In 2005, Fat Joe’s feud with 50 Cent began, triggered by 50 Cent’s criticism of Fat Joe working with Ja Rule. Fat Joe responded with a diss track in his sixth album, All or Nothing, which also featured R. Kelly, Eminem, and Remy Ma.

The feud escalated with Fat Joe publicly calling out 50 Cent for perceived shortcomings. Tensions peaked at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards when insults were exchanged on stage, prompting a heated confrontation. This conflict continued during the release of Fat Joe’s seventh album, Me, Myself & I, featuring the Grammy-nominated hit “Make It Rain.” 50 Cent mocked Fat Joe’s subsequent album, The Elephant in the Room, claiming dominance over Fat Joe’s career.

Throughout the years, Fat Joe collaborated with various artists on albums like J.O.S.E. 2 and The Darkside Vol. 1. Despite signing with E1 Music and announcing retirement plans after releasing two more Darkside mixtapes, Fat Joe continued creating music with artists such as Cool and Dre, Ludacris, ASAP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, and French Montana.

Legal Issues

Legal troubles have been part of Fat Joe’s career, with assaults charges and testimonies in murder trials involving his bodyguard and associates. In 2012, Fat Joe pleaded guilty to tax evasion for the period of 2007-2010, not paying taxes on $3 million earned.

Being sentenced to four months in prison was the consequence of his millions in income.

Personal Life

Lorena Cartagena is Fat Joe’s wife, and together they have three children. Having resided in Miami and Tenafly, New Jersey.

Even after shedding 88 pounds, Fat Joe stated his stage name would remain unchanged for marketing reasons.

Fat Joe acquired a custom Rolls Royce Cullinan for $450,000 in 2022.

Real Estate

Joe bought an acre of land in Plantation, Florida, near Fort Lauderdale for $115,000 in 2000. Later, he constructed a 5,300-square-foot home for $1.2 million. The property was listed for sale in 2010 at $2 million and was bought by Malú Trevejo, an Instagram personality. Subsequently, she listed it for $3.25 million.