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Speaking to HipHopDX in a recent Zoom interview, Fat Joe explained how important it is to practice inclusivity in the culture.

Fat Joe On Inclusivity In Hip Hop: 'We Were Always Taught To Embrace Everybody' Published on:Jun 21, 2022, 1:25 PM by 5 Exclusive Hip Hop is universal always has been, always will be. As a Latino growing up in the Bronx, Fat Joewas fascinated by the DJing, emceeing, graffiti and b-boying he saw filling the streets and neighborhood parks. He wanted in, and it didnt take long for him to be embraced by the culture. But there werent too many Latino rappers making waves. In a 2018 interview, Fat Joetalked about some of his Latino influences, saying at the time, My early Latino rap role models were Ruby Dee from the Fantastic Five, and then there was Tito from the Fearless Four. As I got older and I got into rap, it was Cypress Hill they were the biggest Latinos in the game. Then Mellow Man Ace and Kid Frost. Now over 30 years in, Fat Joe has cemented his place in history as one of Hip Hops most successful Latino rappers, with several platinum-selling albums and singles. Speaking to HipHopDX in a recent Zoom interview, Fat Joe explained how important it is to practice inclusivity in the culture. I really believe in YOLO, he said. You only live once. You only have one life to live, and I just wanna maximize everything artistically and creatively that I can while Im here and to leave a legacy long after Im gone so people could still play my records, play my TV shows every day. So thats all Im doing. Im all about the culture. When I signed in growing up in the Bronx where Hip Hop was created, I was taught to love everybody. I was taught like Hip Hop is almost a religion. It was always diverse. It was always Latino, Black, White, Asian, whatever. We were always taught to embrace everybody who loves Hip Hop music. And so I have an obligation to that, and I have a responsibility to the culture that far exceeds financial gain or wealth. Its the wealth of the culture, preserving the culture. View this post on Instagram A post shared by FAT JOE (@fatjoe) The Diggin In The Crates alum also talked about mentorship and the importance of educating the next generations. The youth call me, he continued. Some of the biggest rappers on earth, they call me and say, Big homie, could you gimme some advice about this? Can you gimme some advice? Im talking about the biggest I wont say no name but imagine the biggest rappers on earth right now. They call me. They say, Big homie, gimme some advice on this and this And I tell em, Yo, move like this. Watch yourself, too. And thats what its all about. And I want them to do the same thing when they become the OGs to the generation behind. Fat Joe was featured in a recent episode of the A&E series The Origins Of Hip Hop. Throughout the show, the 52-year-old looked back on his upbringing and how he was able to carve such a comfortable life for himself. But that doesnt mean hes anywhere near finished he still has work to do. Read more