Fat Joe

Rapper Fat Joe grew up in the barrios of the South Bronx. His first exposure to rap was through his older brother, and he quickly picked up an affinity for the music as well as for busting rhymes himself. His debut album, Represent, was released in 1993 on Relativity Records and the single "Flow Joe" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart.

Surrounding himself with a group of close friends known as the Terror Squad, which includes Armageddon and Big Punisher, Joe returned in 1995 with Jealous One's Envy. Fat Joe's skill with lyrics is matched only by his skill for business. He has opened a barber shop, a clothing store, Fat Joe's Halftime, and his own fashion line, FJ560. In addition, he signed to Atlantic Records in 1997 and formed his own Mystic Entertainment imprint. Fat Joe's latest release, Don Cartagena, hit the streets in July 1998.

Joe Hauler, RollingStone.com