Fat Joe: A New Era at the Tiny Desk
The Bronx rapper brings a roster of longtime collaborators to the studio for a performance that spans his three-decade career.
By Daniela Ortega ·
Fat Joe has released a new Tiny Desk Concert that prioritizes spontaneity over traditional structure. The Bronx rapper stated his goal was to "touch the third rail" by delivering a performance that felt unpredictable yet solidly grounded. This approach mirrors the trajectory of his three-decade career, which has maintained relevance through constant reinvention.
The artist’s activity in the five years since his previous Tiny Desk (home) session has extended beyond the recording studio. Joe Cartagena, known professionally as Fat Joe, has embraced his role as an internet personality while writing a book. He also co-hosts the podcast Joe and Jada with Jadakiss, another performer with Tiny Desk history.
The new release features a lineup of guest vocalists drawn from the rapper’s extensive network. Remy Ma, Stove God Cooks, Stevie Mackey, and Jadakiss all appear on the tracklist. Dre, a member of the production duo Cool & Dre, contributes background vocals. The set list includes career staples such as "I Shot Ya" and "All the Way Up," alongside selections from his latest album, Organized Rhyme.
The performance team includes Zo Harris on keys and music direction, Ricky "Strings" Ramos on guitar, and Keithan Foster on bass. Antwan "Amadeaus" Thompson handles drums, and Ted Smooth plays DJ. Bobby Carter produced the session, while Joshua Bryant served as director and editor. Josephine Nyounai managed the audio mix.
The production process involved a dedicated team of videographers and engineers. Maia Stern and Kara Frame assisted Bryant with videography, while Neil Tevault worked as an audio engineer. Ashley Pointer served as the production assistant. The series editors included Josh Newell and Felix Contreras.
Leadership for the series includes executive producer Suraya Mohamed and executive director Sonali Mehta. Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, and Robin Hilton are credited as the series creators. Elizabeth Gillis captured the photography for the project.
The full set list for the concert runs through ten tracks. It begins with "Million Dollar Intro (feat. Stevie Mackey)" and concludes with "All the Way Up (feat. Remy Ma)." Other featured songs include "Cocababy (feat. Remy Ma)," "(Ha Ha) Slow Down," "New York (feat. Jadakiss)," "The Aroma (feat. Jadakiss, Stove God Cooks & Remy Ma)," "Feelin a Way (feat. Stevie Mackey)," and "I Won't Tell (feat. Stevie Mackey)."
