Fat Joe Celebrates Birthday With Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes, and More

Fat Joe did it big for his birthday celebration on Friday. 

Ashanti, CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King, Angie Martinez, and more were among those in attendance at the Brooklyn Chop House in New York City. Mary J. Blige delivered an impromptu performance, while Busta Rhymes took the mic and cracked a few jokes. In a preview of things to come, Fat Joe himself captivated everyone for about an hour with his personal stories. 

The rapper announced on Friday that he will be taking the stage for a one-man show where he will open up about his life and career. The performance will be based on his upcoming memoir The Book of Jose, which is scheduled to hit shelves on Nov. 15. The show itself will feature an introduction from Dave Chappelle, as well as other celebrity appearances.  

“The world will be getting Fat Joe at his most authentic, vulnerable, and comedic self on that stage,” he said of the Chris Robinson-directed project. “I’m not holding anything back. I’ve always taken pride in my storytelling, but we’re about to take it to the next level.” 

In an appearance on A&E’s Origins of Hip-Hop, Fat Joe opens up about being bullied every day as a kid, and reveals that he was forever changed after his childhood best friend turned on him. The rapper considers that moment to be “the birth of Joey Crack.” Check it out here. 

Take a look at a few other photos from Fat Joe’s birthday event below.