Fat Joe Says He's Lied in '95 Percent' of His Songs: 'I'm a Family Man'

Mar. 15, 2025

Fat Joe.Photo:Johnny Nunez/GettyFat Joeis coming clean about his song lyrics.While speaking withGayle Kingand Charles Barkley on the premiere ofCNN’sKing Charleson Thursday aboutYoung Thug’s currentRICO trial, the “What’s Luv?” musician, 53, came his defense as he called the use of the musician’s lyrics against him in his trial “horrible” and “a travesty."“I’ve been rapping professionally for 30 years — I’ve lied in almost 95 percent of my songs,” Joe (whose real name is Joseph Cartagena) told King and Barkley.He added: “I’m being honest. I write like I feel that day. I’m just being creative. You couldn’t build a jail high enough for the lyrics I’ve said on songs which are all untrue.“Joe further explained that the lyrics aren’t representative of who he is as a person.“What I am is I’m a family man, someone who gives back to his community all the time. I opened businesses in my community so the music would never amount to the actual person Joseph Cartegena. What’s even more horrible is the District Attorneys. They know those lyrics ain’t real. They know that’s creativity, but if it helps their case, they’ll use it to put these guys in jail,” he said.Last week, the high-profile trial involving rapperYoung Thug— commonly known as the “YSL RICO trial” — began in Atlanta.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Young Thug.Prince Williams/WireimageThe Grammy winner (whose real name Jeffrey Lamar Williams), 32, is facing charges of racketeering and gang conspiracy and has been in jail since hisMay 2022 arrest.The Fulton District Attorney alleged that Young Thug, who wasdenied bond in June 2022following his May 2022 arrest, is the co-founder of a dangerous criminal street gang and used his music to promote it. Prosecutors claim the rapper’s labelYoung Stoner Life Recordsalso stands for Young Slime Life — the name of an Atlanta-based gang — and are accusing him of conspiracy to violate the racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act, or RICO, among other charges.The case indicted over two dozen other names, including five who are also confirmed to stand trial. Because of the “Go Crazy” artist’s level of fame and the possibility of testimonies from well-known figures in the music industry, the case will likely gain national attention for the coming months.

Fat Joe.Photo:Johnny Nunez/Getty

Johnny Nunez/Getty

Fat Joeis coming clean about his song lyrics.While speaking withGayle Kingand Charles Barkley on the premiere ofCNN’sKing Charleson Thursday aboutYoung Thug’s currentRICO trial, the “What’s Luv?” musician, 53, came his defense as he called the use of the musician’s lyrics against him in his trial “horrible” and “a travesty."“I’ve been rapping professionally for 30 years — I’ve lied in almost 95 percent of my songs,” Joe (whose real name is Joseph Cartagena) told King and Barkley.He added: “I’m being honest. I write like I feel that day. I’m just being creative. You couldn’t build a jail high enough for the lyrics I’ve said on songs which are all untrue.“Joe further explained that the lyrics aren’t representative of who he is as a person.“What I am is I’m a family man, someone who gives back to his community all the time. I opened businesses in my community so the music would never amount to the actual person Joseph Cartegena. What’s even more horrible is the District Attorneys. They know those lyrics ain’t real. They know that’s creativity, but if it helps their case, they’ll use it to put these guys in jail,” he said.Last week, the high-profile trial involving rapperYoung Thug— commonly known as the “YSL RICO trial” — began in Atlanta.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Young Thug.Prince Williams/WireimageThe Grammy winner (whose real name Jeffrey Lamar Williams), 32, is facing charges of racketeering and gang conspiracy and has been in jail since hisMay 2022 arrest.The Fulton District Attorney alleged that Young Thug, who wasdenied bond in June 2022following his May 2022 arrest, is the co-founder of a dangerous criminal street gang and used his music to promote it. Prosecutors claim the rapper’s labelYoung Stoner Life Recordsalso stands for Young Slime Life — the name of an Atlanta-based gang — and are accusing him of conspiracy to violate the racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act, or RICO, among other charges.The case indicted over two dozen other names, including five who are also confirmed to stand trial. Because of the “Go Crazy” artist’s level of fame and the possibility of testimonies from well-known figures in the music industry, the case will likely gain national attention for the coming months.

Fat Joeis coming clean about his song lyrics.

While speaking withGayle Kingand Charles Barkley on the premiere ofCNN’sKing Charleson Thursday aboutYoung Thug’s currentRICO trial, the “What’s Luv?” musician, 53, came his defense as he called the use of the musician’s lyrics against him in his trial “horrible” and “a travesty.”

“I’ve been rapping professionally for 30 years — I’ve lied in almost 95 percent of my songs,” Joe (whose real name is Joseph Cartagena) told King and Barkley.

He added: “I’m being honest. I write like I feel that day. I’m just being creative. You couldn’t build a jail high enough for the lyrics I’ve said on songs which are all untrue.”

Joe further explained that the lyrics aren’t representative of who he is as a person.

“What I am is I’m a family man, someone who gives back to his community all the time. I opened businesses in my community so the music would never amount to the actual person Joseph Cartegena. What’s even more horrible is the District Attorneys. They know those lyrics ain’t real. They know that’s creativity, but if it helps their case, they’ll use it to put these guys in jail,” he said.

Last week, the high-profile trial involving rapperYoung Thug— commonly known as the “YSL RICO trial” — began in Atlanta.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Young Thug.Prince Williams/Wireimage

The Grammy winner (whose real name Jeffrey Lamar Williams), 32, is facing charges of racketeering and gang conspiracy and has been in jail since hisMay 2022 arrest.

The Fulton District Attorney alleged that Young Thug, who wasdenied bond in June 2022following his May 2022 arrest, is the co-founder of a dangerous criminal street gang and used his music to promote it. Prosecutors claim the rapper’s labelYoung Stoner Life Recordsalso stands for Young Slime Life — the name of an Atlanta-based gang — and are accusing him of conspiracy to violate the racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act, or RICO, among other charges.

The case indicted over two dozen other names, including five who are also confirmed to stand trial. Because of the “Go Crazy” artist’s level of fame and the possibility of testimonies from well-known figures in the music industry, the case will likely gain national attention for the coming months.

source: people.com