Happy Birthday, Fat Joe!

Today, Aug. 19, is the birthday of New York rapper and Terror Squad CEO, Fat Joe. Don Cartagena now turns 48.

The South Bronx native boasts more than twenty years of success in the rap game. Inspired by fellow Spanish rapper Big Pun, Joe gained notoriety in the New York area and eventually signed with Relativity Records where he dropped his debut album, Represent, in 1993. Joe followed that up with two more albums before officially introducing the world to his clique, the Terror Squad, comprised of Big Pun Cuban Link, Triple Seis, Prospect, Armageddon and later Remy Ma, in 1999. Together, Fat Joe and Terror Squad ruled the radio in the early 2000s with hits like "Lean Back" featuring Remy Ma, "What's Luv" featuring Ashanti and "I Won't Tell."

With ten albums and five film appearances under his belt, the larger-than-life MC has plenty to celebrate as one of rap's most successful Latinos. And though he is a devoted dad and husband, he still jumps in the studio from time to time with the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Troy Ave. In addition to his musical feats, Joe has taken his health more seriously in recent years and lost weight through regimented diet and exercise. 2016 marked a the beginning of a huge comeback for the Terror Squad don thanks to the hit song "All the Way Up" featuring Remy Ma, and the subsequent release of their joint album, Plata o Plomo, in 2017.

Adding to his legacy, Fat Joe was one of the most prominent celebrities to extend a helping hand to residents of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria last fall.

Happy Birthday, Fat Joe!

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