Fat Joe is speaking his mind again, and this time, he’s calling out the entire music industry. On a recent episode of the Joe and Jada podcast, the Bronx legend shared his thoughts on how hip-hop has shaped modern music, yet hasn’t always received the credit it deserves. According to Joe, nearly every other genre has borrowed from rap culture, from country lyrics to K-pop rhythms and mainstream pop melodies.
For decades, hip-hop has influenced global culture, and Fat Joe has never shied away from highlighting its impact. In his latest comments, he said, “Hip-hop has been stolen, used, and abused by every genre in the world. When I listen to country, they bit-hop with their lyrics. Every aspect of entertainment in this world needs hip-hop.”
His words underline the power of hip-hop as both a musical and cultural force, while also pointing to a lack of recognition for the artists who built it.
This discussion comes at a time when hip-hop is more influential than ever, touching every corner of music, fashion, and entertainment. Fat Joe isn’t bitter about the genre’s reach, he’s proud of it. But he wants fans, critics, and other artists to respect hip-hop’s roots and acknowledge where inspiration truly comes from.
Fat Joe breaks down hip-hop’s influence
During the podcast, Fat Joe went on to explain that the genre has been foundational for nearly every modern style of music. He pointed out examples from country tracks that borrow hip-hop cadences, to K-pop groups integrating rap flows, to pop artists leaning heavily on hip-hop beats. “People have been stealing from hip hop and calling it their own genre,” he said, emphasizing how pervasive the influence is.
While Ciara, who also appeared on the podcast, suggested that influence is part of music’s natural evolution, saying, “Everything has its origin. It lets you know the power of influence. That's music, though,” Joe countered that too often hip-hop doesn’t get the credit or financial recognition it deserves.
Despite his strong words, Fat Joe isn’t upset about hip-hop’s dominance. Instead, he’s proud that rap has become the blueprint for global music.
He wants fans and artists to acknowledge the genre’s origins while still appreciating its widespread influence. His comments have sparked a lively discussion online, with many agreeing that hip-hop is the most influential art form of the modern era, while others debate what counts as inspiration versus imitation.