Rapper inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame

 

In the recent years we have been privileged enough to witness a plethora of musicians climb the ranks from musical stars to cultural icons.  Provided with little more than a platform and a microphone, these individuals have found a way to garner fan base like few have before them.  And although their influences travel far beyond what they may have called familiar at one point, they will forever be immortalized by those that identified with them first; their home…  It is within this same vein that we applaud Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. for his motion to induct rapper Fat Joe into the Brooklyn Walk of Fame. 

Joseph Antonio Cartagena (stage name Fat Joe) was born August 19, 1970.   The Brooklyn native was the co-founder of two very influential hip-hop groups (Terror Squad & D.I.T.C.).  Jose’s repertoire includes:

·      Represent (1993)

·      Jealous Ones Envy  (1995)

·      Don Cartagena (1998)

·      Jealous Ones Still Envy (2001) inducted

·      Loyalty (2002)

·      All Or Noting (2005)

·      Me Myself & I (2006)

·      Elephant In The Room (2008)

·      Jealous Ones Still Envy 2 (2009)

·      The Dark Side Vol. (2010)

It is due in large part to these musical offerings that Diaz Jr. chose Joe.  "He announced that this weekend, he will induct rapper Fat Joe into the Bronx Walk of Fame, for being "an outstanding citizen and a role model to countless Bronxites. He has positively represented the Bronx and throughout his music career has helped keep the Bronx on the 'musical map,' becoming one of our very own homegrown success stories (New York Daily News).

As if his musical contributions weren’t impressive enough, one may also point to his influences in another department as inspiration as well.  “Rapper Fat Joe has lost over 100 pounds in the past year, scaling back from his all-time high of 460, according to a recent article in the New York Daily News. But he isn't just concerned with his own health -- he sees his extreme weight as a symptom of social problems in the community where he comes from” (www.huffingtonpost.com).  In era were obesity is running ramped and fast food has become a staple; Joe jeopardized his established persona to embark upon a more health conscious lifestyle.  And in the process not only transforming his image but also providing hope for others in similar situations. 

While we celebrate this event, know that not everybody shares our excitement.  Below is link to Daily News writer Patrice O'Shaughnessy article which questions the presidents decision… 
Rapper Fat Joe Honored

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