In a surprising revelation, renowned Bronx rapper Fat Joe openly admitted to fabricating stories in the majority of his music, asserting that his lyrics are crafted from imagination rather than lived experiences.
During a CNN special report with Gayle King, Joe made the startling confession while addressing the legal troubles faced by fellow rapper Young Thug. He defended Thug against prosecutors who he believes take fictional lyrics as factual evidence.
“Truth be told, in almost 95% of my songs, I’ve been lying,” confessed Joe. “When I write, it’s about how I feel at that moment. It’s about creativity. The tales I’ve spun in my lyrics? They’d need to build a prison sky-high for those.”
The rapper, best known for hits like “All The Way Up,” criticized authorities for leveraging lyrics that they are aware are fictional. He particularly called out the prosecutors handling Young Thug’s RICO case, where Thug’s lawyer has asserted that the rapper’s lyrics aren’t indicative of real-life criminal activities.
Young Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, has argued in court that Thug’s name stands for “Truly Humble Under God” and denied that his lyrics carry any hidden gang-related messages.
Fat Joe has been an advocate against rappers facing legal repercussions due to their song lyrics, notably supporting legislative efforts such as New York’s “Rap Music On Trial” bill. This bill aims to protect artists’ creative expression, and Joe’s involvement signifies a continued push for similar legislation in other states, like Georgia, where artists like Bobby Shmurda are advocating for comparable measures.
Snoop Dogg recently admitted to being dishonest, although for a completely different reason.
As legal battles surrounding the interpretation of rap lyrics persist, Joe’s candid admission serves as a stark reminder to take artistic content with a grain of skepticism.