Fat Joe Reflects on 2024: “The Worst Year in Hip Hop History”

Fat Joe, one of Hip Hop’s most respected figures, has candidly shared his thoughts on what he believes has been a rough year for the culture. Appearing on Math Hoffa’s My Expert Opinion podcast on December 17, Joe voiced his frustration with the challenges facing the industry in 2024, stating that it could very well be the worst year in Hip Hop history—not necessarily because of the music, but because of the controversies, personal dramas, and increased scrutiny that have overshadowed the genre.

“I woke up in 2024 feeling like [God dammit!] It’s been a horrible year,” Joe expressed. “This might be the worst year ever in Hip Hop history type shit. This shit bad. All our legends, all our mentors getting scrutinized. This is the worst time to be a celebrity in the history of mankind.”

For Fat Joe, the level of scrutiny placed on public figures, particularly in Hip Hop, is unprecedented. He went on to reflect on how the shift in the public’s relationship with celebrities has made being in the limelight more challenging than ever. “It’s crazy out here,” Joe lamented. “You can’t make it up! This shit nuts. The fucking world done changed on me.”

Joe’s frustration extends beyond just the music scene, touching on the personal lives of artists and the ways in which they’re being dissected in public. He pointed out that even his wealthy friends who crave fame are now hesitant about the invasions of privacy that come with being a celebrity in the digital age. The increased media attention and the constant stream of opinions from fans and critics alike have made it nearly impossible for artists to have any private life.

The Strained Relationship Between Remy Ma and Papoose

A major topic of discussion during the podcast was the drama surrounding Joe’s close friend, Remy Ma, and her estranged husband, Papoose. The couple, who has been married for years and share a daughter, have recently been at the center of public tension, and Joe expressed his disappointment over their very public rift.

“I don’t like none of that shit,” Joe shared, referring to the ongoing fallout between the couple. “What I can’t do is stop it. They won’t listen to me.” As the godfather of Remy and Papoose’s six-year-old daughter, Joe feels particularly torn by the situation. However, he made it clear that he can’t intervene in their personal matters. “It’s a different type of thing when you got a husband,” he said. “Nobody comes to my house and tells my wife shit. This is your husband. I can’t get in the middle of that, that’s y’all. I wish this didn’t happen.”

Joe recalled an incident the night before their social media spat, where Papoose had treated Joe and several others to dinner in New York City. “I woke up in the morning and my phone was going crazy and they were like, ‘Yo! What’s going on?’ And I’m like, ‘What the fuck?’” he recalled. The dinner seemed to suggest that the couple’s issues were not as serious as they appeared online, but the fallout continued regardless.

The public’s reaction has only added fuel to the fire, with people speculating about what really happened between the two. After rumors circulated that Papoose had been part of the dinner group, he took to Instagram Stories to clarify. “Peace to my brother @fatjoe, I think y’all misunderstood his interview,” Papoose wrote. “I was not at @brooklynchophouse with them. I do spend thousands of dollars there regularly. I love that place!” His clarification highlighted the confusion and misunderstandings that often arise in the world of social media and public life.

Fat Joe on the State of Hip Hop

As the conversation turned back to Hip Hop, Fat Joe reflected on the overall state of the industry. He emphasized the damage that the intense scrutiny and the focus on personal dramas has caused. He believes that many artists, especially younger ones, are struggling to navigate the balance between their public personas and their private lives.

The year 2024 has certainly proven to be challenging for many in Hip Hop, with controversies surrounding artists’ behavior and relationships taking precedence over their music. But Fat Joe is clear on one thing: the constant pressure to maintain an image, while also dealing with the personal trials and tribulations that come with fame, has made this a difficult time to be a public figure in the genre.

Fat Joe’s reflections on 2024 underscore the complex and often troubling reality of being a celebrity in today’s world. While the music continues to thrive, the personal lives of artists have become an endless source of public fascination, with scandals, rumors, and drama taking center stage. For Fat Joe, it’s not just about the music anymore—2024 has been a year where the negative aspects of fame have overshadowed the good. And as he sees it, this might just be the worst year Hip Hop has ever faced.