Why does this story remind of The Departed? Leo opposite Jack Nicholson in a game of deception and disloyalty. Great film. Anyways, Fat Joe has found himself in a tricky space, caught between his love for music and the code of loyalty that runs deep in hip hop.
The Bronx icon confessed that Gunna’s new album The Last Wun has been on repeat, but he cannot bring himself to fully stand behind the artist. For Joe, it comes down to one thing: “rats” are never acceptable.
Telling you. Watch or rewatch The Departed. Fitting film for the times.
On the latest episode of his podcast Joe and Jada with Jadakiss, Joe broke down how he stumbled onto the project while on a long flight. “I played the whole album, front to back, without skipping,” he admitted. At first, he tried to keep the artist’s name under wraps, but Jadakiss pressed him until the truth came out.
The album, released just last week, has already climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Rap Charts, showing Gunna’s influence is still strong despite the backlash surrounding his reputation. For Joe, though, the issue runs deeper than numbers.
He recalled a moment from his past when someone close to him flipped after catching federal charges. Joe said Dominican dealers confronted him inside a restaurant about his friend’s betrayal, leaving him to stand his ground. That experience marked him for life. He never reconnected with that friend, even after hearing the man was struggling through cold New York winters without a jacket. “Betrayal carries no second chances,” Joe reflected.
Jadakiss challenged him during the conversation, pointing out how contradictory it seems to enjoy an album made by someone he refuses to back publicly. Joe stood firm, explaining that while the music might hit, his loyalty to the culture and his own principles will not allow him to co-sign the artist.
What y’all think, can you enjoy the art of someone you might not like or agree with personally? Age old conversation. Just ask most Ye fans.