Fat Joe brings Bronx crew to NPR desk for unpredictable set
The rapper performed ten songs with Remy Ma, Jadakiss, and other longtime collaborators in a show designed to break from the usual quiet format.
By Vincent Parker ·
Fat Joe entered the NPR studio with a specific plan to shake up the standard Tiny Desk Concert experience.
The Bronx rapper, born Joe Cartagena, stated his goal was to touch the third rail, meaning he wanted the performance to feel spontaneous rather than polished. He described the show as treacherous and unpredictable, yet firmly grounded. This approach mirrors his career, which has endured for more than 30 years.
Since his previous home-based Tiny Desk performance five years ago, Cartagena has expanded his public role. He has written a book and co-hosts the Joe and Jada podcast with Jadakiss. He has also maintained a steady release schedule for his music, most recently with the album Organized Rhyme.
For this session, he brought a large group of guests to the desk. The lineup included Remy Ma, Stove God Cooks, Stevie Mackey, Dre of the production duo Cool & Dre, and Jadakiss. The group performed a set list that spanned his career and included new material.
The songs performed were Million Dollar Intro, Cocababy, (Ha Ha) Slow Down, I Shot Ya, New York, The Aroma, Feelin a Way, I Won't Tell, Lean Back, and All the Way Up. Remy Ma appeared on four tracks. Jadakiss featured on two. Stevie Mackey appeared on three.
The live musicians included Zo Harris on keys and music direction, Ricky Strings Ramos on guitar, Keithan Foster on bass, Antwan Amadeaus Thompson on drums, and Ted Smooth on DJ. Dre provided background vocals. The production team included producer Bobby Carter and director Joshua Bryant.
The performance is part of the ongoing Tiny Desk series, which is created by Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, and Robin Hilton. Executive producers for the series are Suraya Mohamed and Sonali Mehta.
