Fat Joe: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space.
Abby O'Neill | June 1, 2021
Latino hip-hop legend Fat Joe muscled his way out of the streets of the South Bronx with his debut album, Represent, in 1993. He radiates a different energy in 2021, sauntering in his own uptown streetwear shop, fresh fitted in pink leather and a designer bucket hat, but he's still got that old larger-than-life electricity.
A founding member of the D.I.T.C. (Diggin' In the Crates) crew, Fat Joe Da Gangsta has managed to last nearly 30 years and multiple generations in the rap game without ever giving up his lease on the top of the charts. That's no easy feat for a rapper who came out of the early '90s, and positively trailblazing for a Puerto Rican emcee without any notable predecessors. That catalog is on display in a medley of hits performed for his Tiny Desk (home) concert with the Terror Squad Band, and it's clear that Joe is amped up rocking with a live outfit that keeps the essence of his hits while infusing some salsa that reps his Latino heritage.
That crew turns the rugged "My Lifestyle" into a visceral experience with layers of nuance added by Joe's longtime DJ Ted Smooth. On the 2002 smash "What's Luv," Angelica Vila takes the spotlight singing a hook originally performed by Ashanti. "Sunshine," is an effervescent new springtime jam that was spawned by 22-year-old internet sensation Amorphous, who mashed up Luther Vandross's debut single "Never Too Much" with Rihanna's "Kiss It Better." Joe, who has always had a solid ear for new talent and a prowess for pinning down a buoyant hit record, came in and gullied this sparkling jam, renewing a glow that's been dim for this last year.
SET LIST
"My Lifestyle"
"What's Luv?"
"Lean Back"
"Sunshine (The Light)"
"All The Way Up"
MUSICIANS
Fat Joe: vocals
Angelica Vila: vocals
Eugene "Man-Man" Roberts: keys
Rashid Williams: drums
Eric Whatley: bass
Simon Martinez: guitar
DJ Ted Smooth: DJ
CREDITS
Video: Omar Reynoso, Mehdi Zollo, Zach Sky
Audio: Nathan Bonetto, Sacha Zuckerman, Danny Cheung for DCD Audio, Julian Stewart/DaJuan Williams Live Audio
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Abby O'Neill, Bobby Carter
Video Producer: Maia Stern
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Tiny Production Team: Kara Frame, Bob Boilen, Gabrielle Pierre
Executive Producer: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#nprmusic #tinydesk #fatjoe

[@nprmusic]

How do you love rap when rap doesn’t love you back? From Rico Nasty’s harassment from toxic Carti fans, to Saucy Santana's unapologetically femme aesthetics in a queerphobic industry, to the assault case that put Megan Thee Stallion’s entire image on trial, each episode of Louder Than A Riot - the second season of our investigative hip-hop podcast - unpacks the unspoken rules of rap that hold the entire culture back. Tap in to our first episode at n.pr/louder-season-2.

[@demetriouskennedy1335]

I like shorty on vocals

[@Shads187]

How about Joe lying about his lyrics 😂

[@randywilliams2050]

Tttttcccttttttttttttttttttttttttpmp’omyp

[@mgraves636]

Npr is showing every reason fans authentically love artists

[@troytolbert2005]

Well said my man 🤜🤛

[@TotalOneEighty]

This was immaculate. Breath control, clarity, swag, the band was tight af. The girl is also dope. Salute to artistes who master their craft and continue to improve

[@koolboondock4926]

I liked the entrance walk anyway..lol. Typical JOE! Solid act btw

[@christopherayettey4390]

Facts

[@obtainuniversal]

Deadly combo doing amazing shxt

[@rodrigoescobar7134]

what do you mean the girls is ALSO dope.. she a baddie son

[@MorganVeryMuch]

Yes

[@florianrichling]

Whoever tuned this snare drum. Give this man a cookie.

[@DLotheDoctor]

got that gritty new york sound to it.

[@urcousinfromboston9052]

whoever the engineers are ... wow!! NPR always sounds PERFECTTT!!!

[@swagonmax]

10000%

[@deangeneral7640]

So true sir❤️

[@d.c.4lifeking602]

Most definitely!

[@michaelmnn]

This is what 20+ years in the game gets you. Great stage performance no matter the size or venue. Everything was on point!

[@badnewzscubasteve]

28 years

[@PentameronSV]

0:04 - *My Lifestyle* (2:13) 2:34 - *What's Luv?* (5:33) 5:51 - *Lean Back* 8:27 - *Sunshine (The Light)* (10:53) 10:59 - *All The Way Up* [15:01 - Tiny Desk team]

[@portable.adorable]

bless you darlin

[@Mr60ina30]

U the GOAT for that.

[@aerialpenn8849]

Thank You. Guess I'm out after the first joint.

[@RockstahRolln]

Thanks a lot!!

[@kevobuddy10]

Love how he did the classics

[@chorrellpique4057]

I came for “Lean Back”, won’t even lie. Then I heard “what’s luv” and “Sunshine” (Luther sample) and nearly shed a tear, because I had so much fun during the time that I was a kid/those songs came out 🥺😭

[@awrebyawe]

Same!! Loved it 🖤🖤🖤

[@shondaeg]

Wordddd!! 😭

[@AnInterestingStory]

Shoot, I came for "what's love" but everything else just blew me away

[@mikeg3923]

Luther always brings that Nostalgic Vibe🙏🏾

[@tesspalmer992]

I literally said i hope they don't do lean back lolol

[@19jmendez83]

The energy Joe brought to this performance got me hyped.

[@coolb8545]

Definitely got my blood pumpin

[@RockstahRolln]

Same here!! He smashed it!!

[@samueloladelelayiwola2370]

What's the title of the first song?

[@19jmendez83]

@@samueloladelelayiwola2370 "My lifestyle"

[@queenqusproductions2463]

Yezzz

[@gregorois9038]

Angelica killed it. She did Ashanti justice while putting her own style to it and that's no easy feat

[@rods7028]

Eh

[@JeanPierreVictor]

a lot of live autotune and compression unfortunately..

[@bbllaakkee]

this girl is really annoying and cringy to watch

[@user-hf9wn2iw5e]

She be doing too much

[@alexmartinez2868]

This man doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Hip hop legend point blank

[@s2mey382]

I don't think people really know how far back Joe goes in this game and how he was REALLY in the streets. Super legend

[@wmcroy3306]

@@s2mey382 Flow Joe back in 93

[@mikeg3923]

Boogie Down Bronx Boyeeee

[@kyleengelhart3917]

amen to that!

[@philo2189]

@@wmcroy3306 what was that old joe song? You gotta flow joe you gotta flow joe you gotta gotta gotta let em know joe

[@pyro650jay5]

This man deserves a lot of credit for his hip-hop influence!

[@oscarm.4078]

A lot...

[@VanDrums1]

Honestly wasn't expecting how incredible this was! That band is soo good. Everyone so on point

[@oscarm.4078]

Same...

[@jobananas3052]

Vocal delivery still strong asf.

[@kera.habayeho]

One of the guys in the industry we can't compare to anybody else, and he still sounds so dope

[@ijustbevibin0425]

Nas 3 times better than his fatass

[@Mu5icPr0ducer]

Reaching

[@ThiagoCLST]

@@ijustbevibin0425 whos 'Nas'? never heard of him/she!

[@classof2010president]

😂

[@supremeclientele83]

Joey up there with Busta as rappers who have survived in every era since the 90's. Complete legends , albums go hard and heavily underrated artists.

[@ethanosssnxtdoor6282]

Lean back gets u moving no matter how old it is

[@amazonfirestick91]

I rate that drummer 💯 for staying focus with all that beauty in front of him lol

[@ticalian]

Lol

[@winnyjstew]

It’s called being a professional. Lol

[@JP-qr4is]

Facts.

[@JP-qr4is]

He knew from the getgo he gotta stay focused.

[@JP-qr4is]

Instead of female. Think of the shoes.

[@khrissi17]

The band's energy for "All the Way Up" is EVERYTHING 🔥

[@BSPT12]

Angelica Vila did her thing too 👏 Give her props! She held it up!! 💃🏻

[@audioheart9435]

It's official she is the first woman to twerk on NPR tiny desk

[@brentsondigital9870]

@@audioheart9435 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@AtheneHolder]

its facts

[@itemps]

She killed it!!

[@menaceledennis]

No she didnt

[@alexsandunga]

I started to see this sitting in the chair shaking my head, then I got up from the chair and started doing all the 90's dance steps. This man is a living legend.🔥🙌🏽

[@amandapessoadias]

"My Lifestyle" - 0:05 "What's Luv?" - 2:46 "Lean Back" - 5:52 "Sunshine (The Light)" - 8:26 "All The Way Up" - 12:11

[@rajithjayathunga]

One of the best Tiny Desk concerts hands down.

[@tegridyfarms6851]

This man just needs to do a full comeback.

[@jeromebattie2020]

He really never left. He have a hit in every decade

[@derekramos6898]

@@jeromebattie2020 Und de Leid

[@soundserpents5113]

Haha he ain’t never left

[@tegridyfarms6851]

@@jeromebattie2020 Having one hit every decade is not being fully present.

[@jeromebattie2020]

@@tegridyfarms6851 That’s not what I mean and he is relevant. That’s my Opinion. This New Generation not into My Era Hip Hop

[@NevaUndaPressure]

That was a classic!! Loved that Joe shout-out to Luther Vandross & Tina Turner, he's a real student of music. Congrats to the band as well for the high energy performances. 🎼🎤🎹🥁🎸

[@dukebebop4200]

They don't give you your full credit Joe... So much more than a hitmaker

[@michellemartin2330]

His outfit is on point, music selection nailed it exactly what I wanted to hear.

[@lindsayblue5602]

That Jacket is badass

[@naggers123]

Looks more like Medium Joe. Good for him :)

[@mackorthodontics3496]

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[@panorisholidaythe3rd791]

No America is just getting fatter so he fitting in better now

[@haulforlove9720]

Extra Medium

[@jacuzzi4268]

True

[@Lil-Britches]

He said it was cause he started drinking seltzer alcohol. (I.e. whiteclaw and trulys)

[@allen0088]

I need to see a 50 cent tiny desk

[@floating_mario_head]

Lol facts

[@prof3ssor178]

That'll be tight af!

[@christopherayettey4390]

It won't be that good

[@oblivion_007]

It will be boring af. He is not a clear spitter. Studio is the only place he belongs to

[@gregizking]

Y’all some haters

[@Bellesbox]

His outfit is FRESH!

[@mrslassiter2649]

Always

[@aurisarias664]

One of my favorite NPR tiny desk concerts.. and I love that he had it at his sneaker store.

[@joelgutierrez1657]

This new way to deliver the tiny desk concerts gives more flavor to the performance and visuals, plus Angel-ica Vila Wow what a voice!! Thanks again NPR and shoutout to the audio engineers!

[@MyNameIsTlo9]

He sounded great live 🔥

[@TsunamiWave]

My Lifestyle is arguably the best hip-hop beat ever. Had to hear a live band play it. 🔥🔥🔥

[@superm9714]

Joe always bring that energy ...decades later he is still all the way up..!

[@mentaldetecting]

Just blasted me back 17 years to when I was in college!

[@Llindaantonio]

One of the most legendary tiny desk concerts! Joe is an absolute legend and sounds amazing as ever and the performance was just A1! We needed it to be longer though joe!

[@d.cpro3751]

Joe came out swinging dat lifestyle joint still hits🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯

[@jayb6170]

If Joe ever do a verzus the opposing artist will have a big problem. Joe got hits for days

[@dylonvr9595]

I think it should’ve been Luda if he didn’t do one yet. They were out around the same time and enough hits to compete

[@bigkevgx]

And it's about to happen 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥u spoke it to existence 🤣

[@littletrucc101]

Just got washed by Ja Rule

[@bigkevgx]

@@littletrucc101 🤣🤣🤣🤣☠☠☠☠

[@portable.adorable]

this got me hyped up at 11 pm when i’m about to go to bed. this was unexpected but enjoyable! also, Angelica’s vocals sound so clean and pretty, i like her already 🔥

[@arthelogwin9724]

I love her music she's a sweetheart

[@gbasai19]

@@arthelogwin9724 she looks like a stripper who can sing. It’s a shame she wasn’t enjoying the music instead of dancing on an imaginary pole

[@littlecarol2018]

i never heard Sunshine (The Light) until this morning in this concert, i absolutely love it.

[@jTacticsBeats]

What real rap sounds like, bring this quality back!

[@tannermartin3103]

Always been a fan of Joe, but these videos really accentuate how talented so many of these people are. Dude is for real. Out of the rappers he and Juvenile both killed it in these videos.

[@littlecarol2018]

YES I am watching a third time and i think i'm gonna put this thing in its own playlist by itself and just put it on "repeat" all day today. thanks for a nice lil tiny desk concert!

[@tralala88]

Goosebumps when What's Luv came on! Oh the memories! This whole set was so fun. Thank you!

[@kdavis1801]

17 years later… and bruh hasn’t missed a beat. Incredible 🔥💜!!!

[@IanMorales]

This one was fire, NPR. Do more like this. Please.

[@oscarm.4078]

Agreed

[@useyourimaginasean]

This is a pleasant surprise of a tiny desk concert, always impressed with these! 👏🏼

[@villiamstangeland3608]

First time I’ve seen someone twerk on tiny desk

[@JackManEveryday]

Nice arse Joe like

[@lover1311]

I was listening and scrolling.... reading the comment's now i'm gonna watch the whole video thxu

[@obtainuniversal]

Lol

[@brooklynbrowder]

🤣🤣

[@bw4500]

I need a timestamp

[@vajblue]

I appreciate hip hop artists when they employ bands for their live shows because it makes the concert 10x better.

[@Brandonforever21608]

Don't understand why they cant do these quality performances on Verzuz.

[@nathc540]

Because the artists aren’t paid to perform and the sound systems aren’t the best. The point of versus is for the artists catalogue.

[@zdogronim]

But verzuz quality is way better than when it started

[@radxavier2269]

versus is more like a talk show than a concert

[@pablocr4462]

5:12 latino moment 💃🏽🔥

[@essama.h8506]

i haven't been this early to a tiny desk concert before

[@littlecarol2018]

same here! i was up getting a sip of water, and a notification popped up, and now i'm definitely up watching!! :)

[@PlutoBlack]

Same, I’m surprised they drop so early lol

[@BamBam-un2uq]

Hahahahha thought the same

[@jamesbronz]

Same!

[@Eskimofixer]

Top 5 Ts

[@JuanCarlos-79]

Que bien se escucha el hiphop con Banda, la chica Angélica canta muy bien, Joe gracias por este pequeño concierto, respeto desde tu isla PR 🇵🇷 ✌️

[@Revengex19999]

as a true hip hop head joey has always been under rated

[@dannymunoz88]

This performance gave me chills, he needs an album.

[@bawselasv8438]

His last album was fire

[@MahmoudKiddo]

Joe's dancing is everything

[@yksderson]

Those moves.

[@aone1369]

No Angelica Villa is everything 😝

[@mistanogatco2558]

Gangstas don't dance we just boogie!!! 🥴🤕😎🤔

[@3GenHustle]

🔥🔥🔥 Never knew how much i needed Joe with a live band in my life 💯

[@matteobenati2816]

This was great, but I expect nothing less from Joe, man is immortal

[@nayaracs6799]

Que Nostalgia!

[@manuchonucho13]

Joe é monstro

[@canalaltasideias]

De maaais haha pesado!!!

[@herickbeira1996]

Me faz lembrar os DVD de Black Total

[@amishclark]

This was good, but why npr sleeping on Reggie so bad?!? GET REDMAN IN HERE NOW!!!

[@r.s.5166]

All of this ☝️

[@roadshow9322]

🤯

[@danielzajonz4364]

Dude yeeeeees!

[@d4arts446]

we need him

[@ezekielgskeen8607]

in my top five Emcees, you are so right!

[@Keiseyhicban]

Salute to the drummer for having so much concentration with all that dancing from the singer. He probably was like don’t look, don’t look!!

[@fooglez]

Only thing that could’ve possibly made this impeccable performance better is Big Pun performing with his twin. Bless the true hip hop gods.

[@kamird7002]

This comment just gave me chills 🙏🏿

[@MVBillcdd]

pesado

[@guyoverthere3098]

Salve mv bill

[@ederandrade4302]

Bill, mensageiro da verdade aquele abraço de Cabo Verde, Africa!

[@fernandopires8019]

Ainda tio Bill, falta o seu !

[@eduardovieira9963]

Uma das melhores e mais malandras vozes do Rap de todos os tempos A sua também MV Bill Vários hit pesados desde os 90

[@chongvns6381]

MV Bill no Tiny Desk🏆

[@norrismukembe167]

That girls voice yoh she killed it.

[@HellenShort]

I think she is Angie Fury? She looks and sounds amazing!

[@Dza0121]

Angelica Vila

[@HellenShort]

@@Dza0121 thank you. She sounds incredible and she is beautiful

[@EclecticoIconoclasta]

And she´s smoking hot

[@lxxl8156]

Yeah sadly she’s lip syncing there.

[@rashardmaybank2211]

Why this man don't have at least 7 grammys on his shelf is the one of the greatest errors in Hip Hop!!!

[@CAP416]

That intro was sick, I love those backstage to the stage moments caught on film.

[@dvinethevine]

Baby girl was getting it !

[@Optiman5000]

Full Band!! True to the music.

[@bugdestroya5770]

Do a tiny desk with Ja Rule please because I need to hear it’s shmurdaaaaaaa

[@atribecalledjudah5436]

Reminds me of an old Chappelle Show musical set.

[@Ratatoothie]

Whoa, unexpected, but needed.

[@nickvandenberg5015]

his beard crazy sharp

[@xnotmarcox]

Bruh it’s so nice, it looks fake.

[@littlecarol2018]

@@xnotmarcox I had to stare at it for awhile! Very nice beard.

[@TheeHeadTurnerTV]

Since day one ☝🏾

[@burntcrust8039]

yea it's sprayed on.

[@christopherayettey4390]

Always been

[@LexDime]

Joey and his band KILLED this performance 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@barbercosta]

Angelica Vila should be paid times 2, for having a great vocal skills and at the same time being committed to making us want to smash that.

[@Dame333]

😂😂😂

[@callmeunique]

Lip sync doesn’t count.

[@barbercosta]

@@callmeunique true😄

[@FirstNameLastName-pg3pi]

she was lip syncing so nah

[@kheiralovedare9338]

What's luv??? Awwww mon adolescence😭🥰

[@123froozen]

Angelica Vila What a smoke show! Absolutely stunning, and that voice aswell?!

[@albertreis8289]

Joe’s vocal delivery is simply amazing!

[@b.k.a.thegoldenchild2305]

Joe's performance is more than amazing!

[@patrickdupiton8953]

Them young kid need to take lesson .breath control is everything

[@TheOnlyOne234]

Dear NPR Music I need a Busta Rhymes Tiny Desk asap

[@cyclopsmonocle2228]

bar of the performance: “It’s terror in the venue, the squadron, the crew to fear, don. we sharper with the pen than the barber that drew this beard on” 🔥

[@cgafken]

Joe looking fresh in those Guava Jordan 4’s 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Geneticxmusic]

The set song selection was on point !!! Joey is a genius !

[@joaquinjackson7510]

That was a fire tiny desk! Joe killed it

[@jamesbronz]

Absolute fire from the first intro beat....and then those lyrics! DAMMMM!!

[@theegoddessathena9553]

He needs to do a tour for real. The nostalgia

[@JeanineHonore]

I still got to give props to the east coast for bringing it to the scene to the curve and you know it on the streets repeat this this is poetry.

[@TheAudacityOf]

The Dame singing... whew Sis..... fuegoooo. She's a Siren for sure! Serving looks heavy! I know she worried somebody on set LOL

[@BSPT12]

Okay but Joe aged like wine 💃🏻

[@TechBoner180]

That was dope. Love when real MC's put it down. His vocals were crisp.

[@jamesbronz]

Crisp like a fresh 3-peice suit with the aroma of Polo Cologne.

[@gweah7821]

Joe’s been crisp. He never was a Big Pun or Big but he stayed true while having success. Joe will always have this hip hop culture deep in his heart. He’s a legend and still a fan at the same time.

[@manuchonucho13]

@@gweah7821 He's big of course he don't went platinum twice like Big Pun or lyricist like him but he got records way big than Pun Joe's is global man

[@olamideogundiran6892]

Blessed are those who know all what the DJ be bringing to the table pure class.

[@rlph580delga5]

Bronx in the house big ups to Joe show casing his art and upcoming talent big ups joe

[@kornellbrown7719]

Joe was very entertaining.... the clarity was amazing.... band was awesome.... salute soldier!

[@dubai_fitness]

I know! It was as good as recorded

[@busboy3232]

Straight up New York

[@dude4173]

I remember driving around at 15.5 years of age in my friends 1992 Honda Accord with cloth red’ish seats listening to ‘What’s Luv’ in the early 2000’s!

[@bandalivresoul]

old school of universal hip hop .very good songs with analogic instruments!

[@mamieacrie8174]

Lean back. Lean back. 🎶🌿🌻🎵🌸

[@LeonardoFontes1]

ok now I wanna play need for speed underground 2

[@khalenjamoimusik6554]

Who else was waiting for the drummer to play the exact drum fill on lean back intro 😩

[@kashiffwilson4816]

PAL....... band tight bro...i en disaapointed with my generation man... he tear up that outro lol

[@michellepascual1679]

Wowwww sounds amazing still!!

[@obiomambanugo4947]

Nostalgic

[@emma-leefortune8331]

That's exactly what this concert is 💯💘

[@swhite5656]

Joe Crack...I appreciate your friendship my brother. I took your advice and built my own page here on the tube. You are right if u build it they will come

[@swhite5656]

@@hrhvitohugo thank u. I appreciate u

[@swhite5656]

@@hrhvitohugo I just subscribed!!!

[@hrhvitohugo]

@@swhite5656 me too. Appreciate the support bro 🙏🏽

[@mightychild1057]

0:07 the beat so cold blooded🥶💯💯💯