Omar Epps on NEW FILM ‘Moses the Black,’ Tupac in ‘Juice’ & ALL-TIME Black performances

Summary

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Joe and Jada – Omar Epps on NEW FILM ‘Moses the Black,’ Tupac in ‘Juice’ & ALL-TIME Black Performances

Date: February 3, 2026
Hosts: Fat Joe & Jadakiss
Guest: Omar Epps

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Episode Overview

In this lively, wide-ranging episode, hip-hop legends Fat Joe and Jadakiss sit down with actor Omar Epps. The three discuss Epps' new film "Moses the Black," dive into behind-the-scenes memories from classic Black cinema, reflect on hip-hop’s cultural evolution, and honor all-time great Black performances. The conversation is packed with personal anecdotes, industry insights, playful banter, and deep appreciation for both the art and the grind.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Omar Epps’ Enduring Legacy & Versatility

• Introduction & Flowers (03:21–04:19)
  • Jada and Joe warmly introduce Epps, praising his status as a cultural fixture:
    • "He can play a police officer, detective, college basketball star, doctor – he could play anything." – Jada Kiss [03:25]
    • "We grew up watching you on the movie screen for all of our careers." – Fat Joe [04:19]
  • Omar reciprocates the love:
    • "I grew up with y'all. Sets, CDs, all of that. We was coming up together, kids with dreams, New York born and bred." – Omar Epps [04:47]

2. Chemistry of the Joe & Jada Show

• Comparison to sitcoms and classic duos:
  • "It's almost like a sitcom... like the Odd Couple." – Omar Epps [05:53–06:04]
  • Hosts stress the authenticity of their friendship and conversations.

3. Iconic Roles & Working with Hip-Hop Legends

• Filming "Juice" & Working With Tupac (Pac) and LL Cool J (06:46–08:47)
  • Epps recalls being only 17 on set:
    • "Filming Juice was incredible, man. I was 17, fresh out of high school... I felt like, oh, yeah, this is like us on the block." – Omar Epps [07:03]
  • On Tupac:
    • "He wasn't Tupac everybody know. He was just Pac... I was like, you know, that dude got something different." [07:44]
  • On LL Cool J:
    • LL's youth and early dominance are highlighted: "You couldn't even see LL Cool J—he was like Justin Bieber. He popped off so young." – Fat Joe [08:47]

4. Classic Movies: The Wood, House & More

• Filming “The Wood,” Role Preparation (09:44–11:02)
  • Epps describes “The Wood” as:
    • "A mature version of brotherhood... doing different things. A dope depiction." [10:44]
• Switch to TV – Role on "House" (11:02–12:47)
  • Chose “House” to defy typecasting:
    • "That's a big part of the reason I wanted to do House... They think I can only do this. All right, so I'm gonna go make this left right here." – Omar Epps [11:18]
  • On representation:
    • "It was for little kids that look like us. Like, yo, you could have a white jacket too." [11:39]

5. The Power of Art & Music

• Impact of Music and Visuals (12:47–13:39)
  • Omar speaks on power of song and imagery:
    • "You can hear a song and smell your grandmother cooking... what we do, we need—we know the power of it. The younger generation need to know that it’s not disposable." – Omar Epps [11:47]

6. Self-Care, Family, and Black Joy

• Lifestyle, Wellness, and Gratitude (13:39–14:22)
  • On staying healthy:
    • "Taking care of self for me... just being happy, and got a beautiful family, beautiful kids, you know... just take care of ourselves, man." – Omar Epps [14:04]

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Deep Dive: “Moses the Black” and New Projects

1. About "Moses the Black" (14:22–15:23)

• Omar’s lead role in the new film:
  • "A man... realizes he has to become the thing he's seeking... juxtaposed against the story of Moses the Black, the Ethiopian, who was a saint... the real Robin Hood." – Omar Epps [14:26–15:01]
  • Fat Joe: "It's different. It's different." [15:01]

2. Working with Quavo and Wiz Khalifa (15:23–16:17)

• "Quavo was dope. Wiz, still a... For us, again, storytellers—people always, 'Oh, rapper this.' I'm like, yo, storytellers. It's just a different format... they were open to the process.” – Omar Epps [15:26]
• Playful banter about language and slang ("pause" moments) [16:17]

3. Production & Black Excellence

• Produced by 50 Cent, Omar Epps, Wiz Khalifa [21:38–21:42]

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Perspectives on Black Hollywood, Community, & Generational Change

1. Black Hollywood in the ’90s (21:51–23:16)

• Epps on sense of unity:
  • "Anybody you could think of... It was a beautiful time. So much love... real unity." – Omar Epps [22:00–22:24]
  • Fat Joe: "When I came in the game, it was about love... Somewhere, it all started when people actually started making money. That's when ego came in." [22:34]

2. The Bag, Fame, and Life Lessons (23:16–25:56)

• The impact of money on hip-hop culture and personal relationships.
• Fat Joe: "I'm happy for them, but it ain't fair... if you coming in 18, 19 getting a hundred mil off top?" [24:19–24:37]
• Epps reflects on growing, adapting through adversity.
• "Beauty is, we gave ourselves the chance to evolve and to learn... the younger generation, they cutting themselves at the knees." – Omar Epps [25:43–25:56]

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Memorable Stories, Laughter & Banter

1. Anecdotes from the Industry

• FaceTime Pet Peeves & Privacy:
  Hilarious exchanges about friends FaceTiming at wrong times, surprise calls, and maintaining privacy [18:36–20:20].
• Fat Joe’s Bath & Home Joy:
  Pausing mid-story to joke about “pause” moments; Fat Joe describes relaxing in his luxury bathtub alone, reflecting on gratitude [26:14–27:35].

2. Fat Joe’s Early Years & Grit (34:07–37:46)

• Describes his reputation as a “bad guy”—the pitfalls and redemption.
• Omar Epps recounts Joe’s kindness after Big Pun’s passing:
  • "You always had a good heart... That’s why you continue to get blessed." – Omar Epps [35:04–36:15]

3. Society Reflected in Black and Brown Hustles (38:07–39:00)

• "When it comes to the black and brown community, they always try to put this stigma on us... but when you turn the light on other communities, everybody doing the same thing." – Omar Epps [38:39, paraphrased]

4. Managing Fame & Family

• Epps celebrates his marriage (to singer Keisha of Total) and raising a family:
  • "Wifey, that's my world right there. She's more beautiful on the inside than the out... to have a family with her is, it's not for that." – Omar Epps [39:14]

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Reflections on Art, Acting, and Black Cinema

1. Passion for the Craft (43:32–44:22)

• Epps' enduring love for acting:
  • "I'm gonna direct one day... just evolving, getting into the other parts... the artist forever. This is a craft. I think you get better in time." [43:43–44:05]

2. Most Iconic Black Performances (44:22–45:20)

• Quickfire round on most iconic scenes:
  • Denzel’s "King Kong ain't got shit on me!" [44:29]
  • Sidney Poitier slapping a white man in "In the Heat of the Night":
    • "The first time seeing a black man smack a white man on cam." – Omar Epps [44:38]
• “Juice” as timeless hip-hop cinema:
  • "Juice... that's an illmatic, a classic. You can watch it whenever." – Fat Joe [46:27]

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Influence & Legacy: Hip-Hop & Upbringing

1. Music as Inspiration (49:42–53:51)

• Omar’s favorite albums and era nostalgia; impact of “Ain’t No Half-Steppin’,” “Midnight Marauders.”
• Fat Joe’s story of being broke but feeling inspired by music—driving around with the music playing [51:12–52:38].

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Notable Quotes

• On Tupac in "Juice":
  "He wasn’t the Tupac everybody know. He was just Pac... that dude got something different." – Omar Epps [07:44]
• On Black representation:
  “It was for little kids that look like us... you could have a white jacket too.” – Omar Epps [11:39]
• On Black Hollywood’s unity:
  "Unity. Like, real unity. Everybody was just [supporting each other]." – Omar Epps [22:21–22:24]
• On generational wealth:
  “If you would go back a hundred years to see if somebody in my family got money—they ain't never get money like this.” – Fat Joe [24:48]
• On evolving as an artist:
  “This is a craft. I think you get better in time because you live more, you got more range.” – Omar Epps [44:05]
• On Teyana Taylor:
  "She always has been [talented], it's just so dope to see her get her just due... She only getting started." – Omar Epps [58:13]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Culture Talk: 03:06–06:21
• Juice, Tupac, LL Cool J Stories: 06:46–09:44
• Classic Movie Roles (“The Wood,” “House”): 09:44–12:47
• Impact of Art/Music: 12:47–13:39
• Family, Self-care: 13:39–14:22
• "Moses the Black" Overview: 14:22–15:23
• Working with Quavo/Wiz: 15:23–16:17
• Black Hollywood in the ‘90s: 21:51–23:16
• Money & Culture Shift: 23:16–25:56
• Fat Joe’s Growth/Redemption: 34:07–37:46
• Timeless Cinema, “Juice,” Iconic Black scenes: 44:22–47:09
• Hip-Hop Music Influence Stories: 49:42–53:51
• Closing (“Moses the Black” in theaters, Teyana Taylor): 56:39–58:58

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Tone & Style

The energy is warm, hilarious, and street-wise, but deeply heartfelt. The trio moves seamlessly from dropping wisdom to sharing jokes, all while celebrating Black excellence and resilience in the arts. Omar’s humility and Fat Joe & Jada's friendliness create space for real talk and riotous reminiscence – from the Bronx to Hollywood.

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Episode Takeaways

• Omar Epps remains a versatile, celebrated figure in Black cinema and TV.
• “Moses the Black” is a new, culturally rich film bridging past and present Black stories, with strong production names attached.
• The unity and creative explosion of ’90s Black Hollywood set a high bar for community and innovation.
• Fame, fortune, and hip-hop culture have complicated but motivating legacies.
• Art—be it music, acting, or storytelling—shapes identity, inspires generations, and offers both escape and deeper connection.
• Timeless roles and performances endure because they capture lived reality and aspirations for a better future.

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Highly recommended:
Check out "Moses the Black" in theaters, support Black cinema, and revisit those classic Omar Epps moments—because as Joe, Jada, and Omar make clear, it’s all about honoring who we are and how far we’ve come.

Transcript

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[Omar Epps]

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[Omar Epps]

Lenovo.

[Jada Kiss]

Lenovo.

[Fat Joe]

By the way, my brothers, whoever got the number, the new. Don't do it. I'm ready to block you. No matter how much I love you, I don't.

[Omar Epps]

Yo, y' all see what. Y' all see what happened? They got the Netflix deal.

[Fat Joe]

Joe, man, Hollywood, he switched his number on him.

[Jada Kiss]

Yo.

[Fat Joe]

What up, y'? All? This Joe crack the dawn.

[Jada Kiss]

You know who it is. Your boy Jada. You know what it is? The Joe and Jada Show. Every show legendary. Every show iconic. Shout out to Netflix. We crushing, y'.

[Omar Epps]

All.

[Jada Kiss]

When you think of today's guest.

[Omar Epps]

Hold on.

[Jada Kiss]

That was Netflix. They calling me. When you think of today's guest, you think of a cult classic, a part of a cult classic in every era. You think of long range, you think of chops. You think he can play a police officer, he can play under. He can play a detective, he can go undercover. He could play a college basketball star, he could play a doctor, he could play anything. If you around our age, you seen you, you grew with him. He's a dj, a great family man. He could play a fucking icon.

[Fat Joe]

Living legend.

[Jada Kiss]

I've seen him in the hallway, on tour, in the dressing room, kicked it with him. You know what I mean? Ladies and gentlemen, make some noise for Omar ass.

[Fat Joe]

You know, Omar, you one of them guys, man. There's not enough to say about you because just like me and Kiss, we grew up watching you on the movie screen for all of our careers. So it's just. There's no way to roll it out perfectly because we would be here for like a fucking day just explaining, you know, your contributions to the culture and the game.

[Omar Epps]

But definitely, I grew up with y'. All.

[Jada Kiss]

Appreciate that.

[Omar Epps]

Sets, CDs, all of that. You know what I mean? So we was all in that. In that generation, we was all coming up together, kids with dreams, you know what I'm saying? New York born and bred, you know what I mean? We covered all the bases. The show, like, to me is it's almost like a sitcom. So I told him the other day.

[Fat Joe]

When he had fluidity, he was under the weather. I was like, yo, you know, Netflix just started a podcast thing, and I. And big up everybody. But I watched all the other podcasts a little 15 minutes. They ain't got the fluidity. They ain't got Omar Epps here fucking shining in the three piece suit with his set with a D. I looked at all of Them. And there's some great people on there, but I'm hoping that your random customer don't got nothing to do on Netflix. And they love podcasts. And the one time they go boom, they know, yo, this shit like the Martin Show.

[Omar Epps]

Y' all killing. I think I heard you more. I've been watching y' all from the top, and I think one time you said, like, y', all, like, the honeymoon is now. I was like, nah, it's like the Odd Couple.

[Fat Joe]

It's the Odd Couple.

[Omar Epps]

It's like the Odd Couple. You know what I'm saying?

[Fat Joe]

It's like the Odd Couple.

[Omar Epps]

Cause y', all, you know, we know y'. All. Like I said, we. We grew up with y'.

[Podcast Host 2]

All.

[Omar Epps]

So I was like everybody else. Joe Jada, like, how's that going, Rock?

[Fat Joe]

You know what I mean?

[Omar Epps]

And y' all just. You just can't be there. It's so organic. It's so authentic.

[Fat Joe]

You know what I mean?

[Omar Epps]

And it's just to have these conversations, and we all done seen so much, like, been around so many different moments that, you know what I mean, the show will sell itself.

[Fat Joe]

This guy, like Jay Reed, man, he shoot me every show when I go home and watch the repeat, like you. I said, motherfucker, don't snipe me from the. I could get that on the way home.

[Jada Kiss]

You iconic for the fact your skill and your ability to be on screen and, you know, the roles, your range, because you got to work with ll, you got to work with Pac. What was them days filming Juice? Like, I was. I was Pac.

[Omar Epps]

Like, filming Juice was incredible, man. I was 17, fresh out of high school.

[Fat Joe]

You was wearing these.

[Omar Epps]

I was wearing those, yeah.

[Fat Joe]

No, no, no. You was wearing 40 below.40 belows.

[Omar Epps]

But, you know, again, like, in a sense, it happened so fast. That was hard to. To take in the magnitude of. But I will say I felt something special in the sense of the film, the characters. Those moments were speaking to me. I was living that. I felt like, oh, yeah, this is like us on the block. So it just felt like I would go see this.

[Fat Joe]

You know what I mean?

[Omar Epps]

And just like, Pac, it's funny. Cause it's, like, not funny, but, like, this is. He wasn't the Tupac everybody know. He was just Pac.

[Fat Joe]

Just like, he was Tupac after that movie.

[Omar Epps]

He was, but he was like, oh, that's my man. And, like, you know what I mean? He cooking up, doing the music thing, spitting verses in the trailer. But he was him. I was like, you know, that dude got He. He got something different. I mean, in the L. It's ll. I'm sitting there, I'm like, that's crazy. Like, we just sitting down, chopping up, just talking, just giving me, you know, business knowledge and things of that nature. And we, you know, it's. It's interesting now. You got all these lists, and it's this and this, that, and it's just like, yo, never seen nothing like L. I think people don't realize how young he was when he started. When he started.

[Fat Joe]

Teenage facts like that all the time. He get mad at me. He's my idol.

[Jada Kiss]

But every time, he's the first artist on Def Jam, and he's still going strong and fucking powerful and active as ever.

[Fat Joe]

But what I'm saying to you is I'm a couple of years older than you, and I was outside again. I'm a couple of years older than you, and I was outside, and I never seen LL Cool J as well. I seen Big Daddy Kane. I seen Knights and strong. I seen all of them. You couldn't even see LL Cool J. He was like Justin Bieber. He popped off so young.

[Jada Kiss]

Nas used to be like that for me. It took me mad years. Nas, I didn't see Nas.

[Fat Joe]

Nah. I was with Nas when Nas started. I started with him. It took me. I've been in bummy hotels with Nas. I've been in bummy hot me hotels with Nas. Talk about, yo, that. You think Nas used to be like, yo, we ever seeing the money gone? I'm like, yo, you El Matic. Don't worry. It's gonna come. He be like, yo, God. Like, ain't no fluidity in this winter end. No, I was seeing Nas.

[Jada Kiss]

Now, what about Kiss the N?

[Fat Joe]

Play ball. She.

[Omar Epps]

She had. She had two for that. She had two for that movie. Yeah, she had to. We. We was training and all of that, working with these coaches and, you know, to hit a shot when the license on is hard. Yeah. I mean, the gym is easy, but when it's like, you know, we was really filming in, like, high school and all that, you know. You know how the crowds are at the ball game. They don't care if it's take 23, y'. All.

[Fat Joe]

You know what I mean?

[Omar Epps]

It's like, yo, we're filming something here. Yeah. Supposed to miss. They classic, dog.

[Jada Kiss]

Yeah. How about the wood? How is that pause filming that?

[Omar Epps]

Yeah, yeah.

[Fat Joe]

That's a whole pause. Now it is 20, 26.

[Jada Kiss]

You gotta do a pause. Finna kill you. I wasn't.

[Omar Epps]

You gotta.

[Fat Joe]

On the title of the movie. Nah, that pause.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah.

[Jada Kiss]

They're gonna get Inglewood. Yeah. How is it female in Inglewood?

[Omar Epps]

That's right.

[Fat Joe]

Inglewood's a non Balls.

[Jada Kiss]

Yeah.

[Omar Epps]

But the Wood, I think that was like a. A mature version of, like, the Brotherhood. You know what I mean? Like. Like, you know, they were still from the mud, but, like, doing different things. And I think it was a dope depiction of that version of. Of brotherhood. And that was fun, man. I had a lot of fun.

[Jada Kiss]

Now you got. You did about seven, eight years on House.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah. As a doctor. How.

[Jada Kiss]

How is that? How do you just.

[Fat Joe]

Because switching to that when you get to House and stuff like that, they not cast type casting.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah, well, that's a big part of the reason I wanted to do a house is. Cause I'm like, they not gonna see this coming. Because I was aware, or at least in my mind, I'm like, they probably perceive me like this. They think I can only do this. All right, so I'm gonna go make this left right here and bring us with me.

[Fat Joe]

You know what I mean?

[Omar Epps]

Like, when I first did House, the one when I was first meeting with them, I was like, yo, it's like, yo, is there anything you want? The character, you like this, that, and the other. And I was like, I want him to keep the tattoo in hand. Cause he's from Rough and Tumble and all of this. And I'm like, yeah, yeah, yeah. It was for little kids that look like us. It was like a dog whistle to them. Like, yo, you could have a white jacket, too. Because the power of imagery is different from the power of, like, voice, like audio. You know what I'm saying? Like, art is so powerful, man. What we do, I feel like we brioche and we sages, but, like, you know, listening to a song, a fighter before the fight, like, yo, it's getting them amp or the ball player before the game. Or, you know, when we listen to a song, when we sad, it puts you in a certain mood. You can hear a song and smell your grandmother cooking. And you know what I mean? Like, these type of things. So what we do, we need. We know the power of it. And the younger generation need to know that it's not disposable. It's not just for the dollar, you know what I'm saying? It's much more powerful than that. No doubt.

[Fat Joe]

No, it's crazy because my mother, she passed away recently. If she was alive right now, she'd be right by the TV listening to the Temptations and the OJs and all that. And I ain't been able to listen to that kind of music since she passed because it just automatically puts you in that space where I've been like, you know what I'm saying? My wife tried to throw that shit on the other. I was like, yo, I ain't ready to hear that shit right now.

[Omar Epps]

But you will be one day. But you said you ain't ready. But you see what I'm saying? Like, we be so caught up in the hustle, the business of it, but it's a whole other side to this thing. That the reason why we all got in, really spoke to us, motivated us, from when we young, like, all right. And then you find you gotta lean with that thing, you know what I mean? I tell you what, I've been doing this 30 years. It's just a blessing every day, man.

[Fat Joe]

Let me tell you something. You look great.

[Omar Epps]

Thank you.

[Fat Joe]

Your wife's our sister. What is the skin remedy for you guys today? Cause your shit looking brand new.

[Omar Epps]

Pause.

[Fat Joe]

Like, you. Your wife is a different fluidity. Are y', all, like, wake up every day and do Pilates?

[Jada Kiss]

They got a special shea butter.

[Fat Joe]

Do y' all do Pilates and yoga in the house? Everybody like, what's going on?

[Omar Epps]

Taking care of self for me, you know, Listen, wifey, man, just being happy. Being happy, and got a beautiful family, beautiful kids, you know what I'm saying? In a constant state of gratitude and, you know, just take care of ourselves, man.

[Jada Kiss]

Let's get to the new movie. Moses the Black.

[Omar Epps]

Moses the Black.

[Jada Kiss]

Yeah.

[Omar Epps]

Moses the Black. Man, I'm excited about this. It's a story about a man who comes to an impasse in his life where he realizes he has to become the thing that he's seeking, right? And that's the character I play, Malik. And he gets out of prison, and he realizes something has to change. He has to become the change. And it's juxtaposed against the story of the true story of Moses the Black, the Ethiopian, who was a saint, and how their stories parallel. So the Moses the black from 4th century, he was the real Robin Hood. He was the son, super gangster, you.

[Fat Joe]

Know what I mean?

[Omar Epps]

And then he had a moment where he shifted, and he went on to evolve to a point to where he's a saint. Like, you go in churches around the world, they got the picture of this Ethiopian man along with all the other saints that we know right there. So it's kind of like how their stories is running parallel. It's different. It's different.

[Jada Kiss]

What was it like working with Quavo?

[Omar Epps]

That was dope, man. Huevo was dope. Wiz still a. You know, the thing is, like, for us, again, when I say, like, storytellers, people always, oh, rapper this. I'm like, yo, storytellers. It's just a different format, you know what I mean? And it's the type of project that I feel like everybody that was there was there for the right reason, so they were open to the process, you know what I'm saying? So it was just dope to see them do their thing, you know? Like, Wiz has done some stuff before, but some of them was just getting the feet wet. That's not a poor. Right.

[Fat Joe]

Yeah, but we.

[Omar Epps]

Because I know y' all super poor.

[Jada Kiss]

Feet wet is cool.

[Omar Epps]

Feet wet is cool. Are you sure? Should I throw a flag?

[Fat Joe]

You know, I started. I started in this arena. I was like, yo, I don't play that poor shit. Now I'm, you know, the poorest king throwing flags every 10 seconds.

[Omar Epps]

It's just a straight. It's. It's fun as a game, but we can't do that everyday life, guys. Come on, guys. It's just. It's just the English language, my good.

[Fat Joe]

They do it.

[Jada Kiss]

It just. I really shout out to Cam. Shout out to everybody that started it. I really never want to play it, but sometimes some of the things people say is like, it comes from the heavens above. Is like Jesus crazy.

[Omar Epps]

Oh, my God. You can't. It's a lot of. It's a lot of lyrics from back in the days.

[Jada Kiss]

Oh, they tell.

[Fat Joe]

Worry about it. I'm just saying if you want to go there, it'd be a whole.

[Omar Epps]

You know.

[Jada Kiss]

No, you can. It would be.

[Fat Joe]

Go to that.

[Jada Kiss]

Yeah. It's never in. Or if you do your research, it can go on and on and on.

[Fat Joe]

No, no. That's crazy. If you go to the Back in.

[Omar Epps]

The Days lyrics, but you see, it don't.

[Fat Joe]

The culture don't change. The.

[Omar Epps]

The slang changes.

[Fat Joe]

So let me ask you something. Oh, baby, I like you, bro. Is that like a pause? Like mania?

[Jada Kiss]

That's just, like, crazy. We just knew ODB was crazy, so that. That went perfect with his Persona.

[Omar Epps]

But in fairness, anybody like it wrong?

[Fat Joe]

Be honest.

[Jada Kiss]

That's a fact of unknown. That's really. From somewhere in the Bible is reworded. That's. That's in there. This is.

[Fat Joe]

They just put it different, you know, the actors and the industry and shout out, my sister Tiana, she called me yesterday.

[Omar Epps]

Shout out, she got you she got me.

[Fat Joe]

She got you.

[Omar Epps]

You're fluidity.

[Fat Joe]

You see how your brother. Yeah, Come on, man, don't do that. She got your fluidity. You know what I'm saying? The guy over here.

[Jada Kiss]

Guy over.

[Fat Joe]

Yeah. I'm like, if I go to cvs, I got him. I swear to God, they think I got jaded. Does that happen to you now on the street? They think I got Jada Kiss with me. I'm in the cvs.

[Jada Kiss]

I could be in this. Where's Joe Jono smoke cigars?

[Fat Joe]

Just bringing them everywhere. I'm like, yo, bro, he's home. He's doing his thing. Like, what are y' all asking for? But that came up, Wave.

[Jada Kiss]

I ever call you on FaceTime, I charge the 5,000. Yeah, you want to see Joe, yo, crack. I mean, I'll let you. There's somebody right there that gave me.

[Fat Joe]

Five racks, my number for the first time in 30 years. Not because I was getting threats or nothing like that. What happened to me was I had friends that I truly love, that I love, that I grew up with, and stuff like that. Still had my number. And anytime they would call me at any time of the day, and it's always FaceTime. Be like, Yo, I told you he's here. I hate that shit. Like, no, no. It's a pet peeve. Like, by the way, my brothers, whoever got the number, the new don't do it. I'm ready to block you. No matter how much I love you, I don't.

[Omar Epps]

Yo, y' all see what. Y' all see what happened? They got the Netflix deal.

[Fat Joe]

Joe, man, Hollywood number on him, y'.

[Omar Epps]

All.

[Fat Joe]

That'S not what I'm saying.

[Jada Kiss]

What I'm saying is don't FaceTime nobody with no surprises.

[Fat Joe]

Chef Mark, my brother, one of my truest friends, my best friends in the world. Don't go to the random restaurant and bring out the Chef on the app. I might be topless, yo, you know, that's flat. You know, There you go. Listen. That's flat. Listen. You know, Puerto Ricans, real talk. When you call any of your Puerto Rican homies in the house, they never got a shirt on. Even when I call them. I'm keeping it real with you. They topless, right? So. But, yo, Chef, what is that? You know, it's like one of my best friends on Earth. When I have a dollar, he. You know, he's always been there for me. I love him at death. But, yo, Chef, stop. Like, y' all gotta stop calling me with, yo, I don't want that. That's one thing I'm not.

[Omar Epps]

The face sounds being true, so I feel you on that. Depending.

[Jada Kiss]

Yeah, just call me back. Whatever. Yeah, what is it? You on the side of the road with it. Don'.

[Fat Joe]

FaceTime.

[Jada Kiss]

It should be. Unless it's something.

[Fat Joe]

Your FaceTime is great, but at the same time, it ain't. It eliminates the mystery, right? Like, it's like, you can't disappear no more like that. Right?

[Omar Epps]

Right.

[Fat Joe]

You could have disappeared, right? You could have told somebody, yo, I'm in Miami. You could be down the block. They can't see you, right? I was like, yo, my man, what's up with the palm tree behind? Like, they know.

[Omar Epps]

That's why you can't. All that location.

[Jada Kiss]

You could fake it, though. Go right by the speaker. I'm in Cancun with a white background.

[Fat Joe]

That's crazy. That's the one thing my wife hates.

[Omar Epps]

About this set is the fake palm trees.

[Fat Joe]

Every time she bought to see me, like, man, I'm fake palm trees. I be like, yo, ma, we need some fluidity.

[Omar Epps]

This.

[Jada Kiss]

Could we get some real?

[Omar Epps]

It's a field.

[Fat Joe]

My fit is if it ain't broke.

[Omar Epps]

Don'T fix it, fix it.

[Fat Joe]

We out here.

[Jada Kiss]

He complimented the set when he came. He like, yo, this, you know.

[Omar Epps]

Listen, let me explain something to you, man.

[Fat Joe]

Nah, I don't want to go bad. Omar S Came in. He looked clean and all that. Don't. Don't.

[Jada Kiss]

This joint is executive.

[Fat Joe]

You know, I'm crazy, man. Y' all strike this.

[Jada Kiss]

Executive produced by 50.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah, yeah, by 50, myself, Wiz.

[Jada Kiss]

Black excellence.

[Omar Epps]

For real.

[Jada Kiss]

That's beautiful.

[Fat Joe]

One of my. One of my questions was black Hollywood in, like, the 90s. What was that like out there? Who was coming up?

[Omar Epps]

And I mean, anybody you could think of me, you know, your friends, the Khan Fox. It was a beautiful time. You know what I'm talking about? Like, yo, it was so much love back in the day. Everybody had a little beef or whatever, but it was. I just remember so much. Oh, back in the day.

[Fat Joe]

Unity.

[Omar Epps]

What? Unity. Like, real unity.

[Fat Joe]

Unity.

[Omar Epps]

Like, everybody was just.

[Fat Joe]

Fat Joe in the early 90s was in Kwame video. There wasn't a vid. They call me up and be like, yo, come.

[Jada Kiss]

I come talking about the other kind of you.

[Fat Joe]

I'm just saying. I was, bro. When I came in the game, it was about love. It was about everybody jumping in everybody's video, Everybody loving each other, supporting each other in this. And somewhere where he's trying to say, I could tell you a hip Hop, stop. It all started when people actually started making money. That's when that ego turned into like, yo, I'm better than you. I'm bigger than you. My bigger. Our crew is more rugged we get. Soon as they started handing over that bag, I watched the nicest pedestrians turn into gang bangers. All type of things. I'm like, oh, this crazy.

[Omar Epps]

That's like. I guess it's a part of the process, right? I think when the bad comes into anything, then you get to see, you know, characters. You know, people gotta give them a chance to grow and evolve too. Cause it's something you speak about a lot. And I'm like, I really relate to that. Like, I've been around. I seen. I was young, so a lot of the older heads don't remember. That was me, the quiet kid in the corner. I seen you do that. I seen this, I seen that. And I'm just taking notes the whole time. And I seen people talk to certain people or treat people a certain way. Look up four years they run in that company and they treat greasy. And you wondering why. And I'm sitting there like, that's probably because you used to on that person or whatever the case. So it's just, you know, you learn living, you learn. And you know, for the younger generation, they bag is. It's almost like it's not fair. It's like in sports, right?

[Fat Joe]

We happy for him, but it ain't fair.

[Omar Epps]

But I'm saying it ain't fair.

[Fat Joe]

We happy for them, but it ain't fair.

[Omar Epps]

It ain't fair to them.

[Fat Joe]

Because if you coming in 18, 19.

[Jada Kiss]

You know, too much money to, like.

[Omar Epps]

When you doing 500 a show, 700 a show, you, you. You're like, you. You could feel the weight of what you're earning. If somebody just come off top, like.

[Fat Joe]

Yo, here's a hundred mil.

[Omar Epps]

You a teenager or whatever you.

[Jada Kiss]

You need.

[Podcast Host 2]

Parents don't even know what you need.

[Fat Joe]

Some help.

[Jada Kiss]

You need some help.

[Omar Epps]

You know what I mean? We just have to.

[Fat Joe]

That.

[Jada Kiss]

That lineage.

[Fat Joe]

We never had that. We could play Moses Black, but we wasn't know. But you would go back a hundred years to see if somebody in my family got money. They ain't never get money like this or had that like. So this is all learning while you growing, right? You know, and, and, and with me, I had a lot of like, today, I cut somebody off. They had somebody after you Guess I watched the. It was amazing story. I found out he was a rat. I said, yo, he can't come up.

[Omar Epps]

Here on this couch.

[Fat Joe]

That nigga can't come in here.

[Omar Epps]

Hey.

[Fat Joe]

He just can't. He can't come on this couch. Got morals for my fluidity, right? But what I'm saying to you is this is years of developing these characters and going through mistakes and flaws and this nothing. But we ain't know nothing, you know what I'm saying?

[Omar Epps]

But you know, the beauty, Joe, not the customs that we gave ourselves the chance to evolve and to learn. This younger generation, they cutting themselves with the knees. It's like getting to this stage, it's a luxury.

[Jada Kiss]

It's a blessing. The privilege, you know what I mean? Every single day, let him know, again, that's real.

[Fat Joe]

Every single day. We wake up, we call each other, yo, thank God we got another day right now at this point.

[Omar Epps]

Highway Robin, right?

[Fat Joe]

So my wife and my daughter went out last night, and I stood home by my. By the way, it feels good being.

[Omar Epps]

Home by yourself sometimes.

[Fat Joe]

This is incredible. Email.

[Omar Epps]

What?

[Fat Joe]

I don't know. This. I go pause.

[Jada Kiss]

Did you caught the new chair?

[Fat Joe]

Hold up. I got the new chair. Yo, listen, I got a new massage chair. It's so expensive. Don't try this at home. But I bought the motherfucker and I went up in there, right? You went with me, man. But listen, what I'm saying is I like taking baths. So I got the big Jacuzzi.

[Omar Epps]

I'm by myself.

[Fat Joe]

I'm playing. I want to thank. This is a pause moment.

[Jada Kiss]

That's right. He pre paused. He threw the flag early. Yeah. Let's just get it out the way. Let's get him out the way, guys. Now you can tell the story in peace. We had to throw the flags. He already heard the bath.

[Fat Joe]

Melissa Morgan playing that up on there. Someone to thank you. And then I'm just looking at little shit like the light bulbs and the marble with the. And I'm just like your God.

[Omar Epps]

Wow.

[Fat Joe]

Thank you. This is like. Because like you said, we always chasing the check working. We barely home there in Georgia. And I'm looking at the light bulbs.

[Omar Epps]

That's real.

[Fat Joe]

This is great. And I've been living there for a long time. Like.

[Podcast Host 2]

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[Jada Kiss]

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[Omar Epps]

Opinion?

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[Podcast Host 2]

All right, big news. Liquid IV's got something huge coming this February 8th. Have you heard about it?

[Fat Joe]

Yeah, you just told me a second ago.

[Podcast Host 2]

Fair enough. I'm guessing it has something to do with fighting dehydration.

[Fat Joe]

Speaking of, do you know seven potential signs of mild to moderate dehydration?

[Podcast Host 2]

There's thirst, obviously, and six more, right?

[Fat Joe]

Fatigue, brain fog, nausea, headaches, irritability, and.

[Podcast Host 2]

There'S one more that I can't remember. Does that mean I'm dehydrated?

[Fat Joe]

Maybe. But I think I'm dehydrated because you're irritating me right now.

[Podcast Host 2]

Then drink some Liquid iv. I like the sugar free raspberry lemonade, but Mango Pineapple is great too. Liquid IV Sugar Free is the only sugar free hydration product on the market. Clinically demonstrated to hydrate faster than water alone. And there aren't any artificial sweeteners or colors.

[Fat Joe]

You gotta stay hydrated.

[Podcast Host 2]

Well, that's my crash course on dehydration. But no doubt Liquid IV will have something more to say on February 8.

[Fat Joe]

Anything else happening that day?

[Jada Kiss]

I don't know.

[Podcast Host 2]

I'll have to check the calendar.

[Fat Joe]

Stay hydrated. Stock up on Liquid IV at Liquid IV and use the code nuthouse for 20 off for a first time purchase.

[Podcast Host 1]

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[Fat Joe]

It'S amazing, man, to get to that point and still be trying to grow. Oh yeah, and still is a lot of stuff like Fat Joe. I don't want to interview myself. They say, yo, Joe, do too much. But I had to work on myself.

[Omar Epps]

I was a really bad guy.

[Fat Joe]

Like a really bad guy. And they knew it. And so they were scared of me. This whole fucking industry was terrified. And so what they do when they terrified of a guy, they block your blessings. And they're like, yo, why would you. It's same thing in the drug gang. I'm the connect. I'm El Chapo. I got a guy who's a nice guy, who's non violent, who always turns his money in time. Now I got another guy who might kill me for these bricks. Why would I want to make him powerful and feed him when I could keep dealing with. All right, so we could deal with Fat Joe or you could deal with Lupe Fiasco.

[Omar Epps]

But you know what though, Joe? But you know what though, Joe, you always had a good heart. I'll tell you a story that you probably don't even remember.

[Fat Joe]

I don't know. Speak on it. God.

[Jada Kiss]

God bless. Cut him off.

[Omar Epps]

God bless. When punhabbers passed, Steve Rifkin called me one day. You was on the phone. He called me like, yo, you gotta talk to him. You gotta talk. Very, you know, sensitive moment. He was just like, yo, you know what to say.

[Fat Joe]

And I'm like, all right.

[Omar Epps]

We got on the three. Yo, you was really feeling it.

[Fat Joe]

Devastated.

[Omar Epps]

We talked for a minute or whatever. But I just like, damn. And I told you. I was like, yo, in a way, kind of like, humanized, like, hip hop. Like, human stuff can happen to. Cause we all grew up all. We all, like, we thought every rapper's a superhero. Like, literally. Like, I heard y' all talk about this on there, but I'm like, yo, as a little kid, nah, we really thought that. You know what I'm saying? And so something like health and things of that nature. And I remember me and you was talking about that. But I only say that to say you always had a good heart. You might have, you know, done some things here and there, but I think that's why you continue to get blessed, you know what I'm saying? Because your heart was kind of, like, always in the right place. You follow what I'm saying?

[Fat Joe]

Yeah. Thank you, man, for that. Yeah, I got a good heart, huh? Let me tell you something.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah.

[Fat Joe]

My heart was always in the right place. Even when I grew up in the Bronx, before rap music, it was always trying to help people and look out for people. But, you know, it's a matter of survivors. You know, I got a friend, he passed away. Older white guy, my man Kevin Buckman. Rest in peace with Market America. And we had these conferences where we talked to, like, 50,000 people and motivate them and stuff like that to be entrepreneurs. So one day I sit in the back with him and we talking, and he was like, yo, Joe, tell me.

[Omar Epps]

How you grew up.

[Fat Joe]

I said, yo, Kev, you don't want.

[Omar Epps]

To know how I grew up.

[Fat Joe]

He was like, nah, nah, nah.

[Omar Epps]

I'm interested.

[Fat Joe]

He was a big coach.

[Omar Epps]

I said, well, I sold a lot of drugs.

[Fat Joe]

I said, you know, I'm embarrassed. I'm actually ashamed of it.

[Omar Epps]

He said, you shouldn't.

[Fat Joe]

And I said, what you mean, Kev? He said, that was your natural habitat. You did what you had to do to survive. He said, you think if I ain't grow up in them projects in the Bronx and the only way to get up out of there was selling drugs, I wouldn't have sold drugs.

[Omar Epps]

This was shocking to me that he.

[Fat Joe]

Even thought like that, although we're not proud about it. But he was just like, yo, you dealt with what was thrown at you, with the cards that was thrown at you. You had to deal with that, right? And pretty much that's the story of my life. I think if I grew up in a better place and shit like that.

[Omar Epps]

I might have been. But we always say that, even when we look at the old heads, that was legends and all of that, we always be like, yo, they grew up and went to Stanford. And you know, this dude could have ran a Fortune 500, you know what I mean? But he grew up in the Peas over here, you know what I'm saying? Mount Vernon or whatever. And that's what it was. And they were entrepreneurs. Just the product that was available.

[Jada Kiss]

It was.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah.

[Fat Joe]

What they was giving you actually worked harder because you got your friends trying.

[Omar Epps]

To kill you and come up.

[Fat Joe]

You got the police trying to lock.

[Omar Epps]

You up every day.

[Fat Joe]

Then you got the feds giving you the long term. That's the long term company 479,000 policy. So you got the. They all be.

[Omar Epps]

Yo, I. I was watching this documentary. Remember Crazy Eddie? Yeah, the documentary.

[Fat Joe]

I'm like, yo, I remember crazy.

[Verizon Ad Voice]

Yo.

[Omar Epps]

Rat was crazy.

[Fat Joe]

Voices is insane.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah, they was insane for real. It was a whole operation. He was moving him, Michael Milking, like all these dudes. It's like, yo, they. You know, when it comes to the black and brown community, they always try to put this. This stigma on us. But it's like when you turn the light on other communities, everybody doing the same thing, you know what I'm saying?

[Fat Joe]

We just. We just out of control.

[Omar Epps]

We just be styling on themselves.

[Jada Kiss]

How was it? Big time managing a household with you a superstar actor and your wife a superstar singer, part of a superstar group, down with a superstar label.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah, man. Wifey, man, that's my world right there. We. We've been down so long, like, as far as, like, knowing each other and growing together and everything like that. So starting a family, it's just kind of like she's, to me, more beautiful on the inside than the out, and that's what counts. And so to be able to have a family with her is not for that.

[Fat Joe]

You live in that little town. They told us about a little town in Georgia.

[Omar Epps]

Who?

[Fat Joe]

That wasn't you?

[Omar Epps]

Who?

[Fat Joe]

Damn. Who was it? Somebody. Bam. One of them told us they live in Alphenia, Georgia. Oh, no, no, no, no. We out.

[Omar Epps]

We out on the west coast.

[Fat Joe]

Oh, man.

[Jada Kiss]

That's probably where it started.

[Fat Joe]

I want to live in a little town one day.

[Jada Kiss]

You're not gonna fit like Big Jacuzzi's big chick.

[Fat Joe]

I get that on the way home. Yeah, that was a good one. Motherfucking snipe right in my face. I get that on the way home. Things crazy I've always dreamed of, like, you know, when we go on tour, we drive them buses all over. I'd be like, damn, I would like.

[Omar Epps]

To live in some like this. Nah, you want to have a me, Micah, have a spot there. But listen, we city kids doing too. It is what it is, right?

[Fat Joe]

You know, I mean, I bought a house in. This is crazy. I bought a house with. When I first moved to Miami, I started hanging out with all these football players. And the football players, they live out west in Plantation Aikens, and they got big ass houses. I mean, my house was big, and them next door neighbor shits was three times bigger than my. Every guy on the block was a football player, right? So people riding horses and shit. I'm coming from New York, you know what I'm saying? With the New York fluidity. I thought that's what I wanted when I went there, man. Middle of the night, you hear the. You got posses of raccoons, gullies on it, coming like, yo, hanging on the window, I'm like, yo, get the. They're like, yo, my man. Like, yo, raccoons ain't scared of nobody. Yeah, bang on and sit. Do whatever. You listen.

[Omar Epps]

Yo, raccoons with Scully's horses. Crazy.

[Fat Joe]

I'm just trying to tell you the truth. In Miami, they did not.

[Jada Kiss]

Well, they could at least have Sunvisors.

[Fat Joe]

Them don't give a fuck. Like, I'm banging on the window. Yo, yo, yo, yo, Trump. They. They not scared they'll go in your garbage right in front of you, take what you did.

[Jada Kiss]

It is called plantation. You didn't think about that?

[Fat Joe]

No. But you know, in Florida, people have, like, animals. Like, animals they're not supposed to have.

[Omar Epps]

Florida, wow.

[Fat Joe]

Where I'm at, them niggas just going. You're like, what the. Is that a camel or something? This out of control. Like, man, I'm scared to death. The only good thing about Florida, I got the Tony Monte. Yo, I was waiting for somebody coming out. I had the big. Say hello to my stupid dumb. Them shits, man. Somebody tried to break in that front door. I just couldn't wait, guys. So I got this. And all you guys that live in a legal gun state all got one of them shits by the door. Wait for somebody to walk up in that. I'll be like, boy, they come up.

[Jada Kiss]

I terminated too.

[Fat Joe]

Not quick. I can't wait. Hey, right now, write the bill.

[Jada Kiss]

Now Terminator 2 come in. Feature all your.

[Fat Joe]

Oh, shit. Yeah, but, you know, I mean, it was an experience. But I always say, I wish I could live in, like, a little town.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah, yeah. I like visiting, but, you know, unless I'm on, like, an island somewhere, like, when I travel the world, that's when I be like, man, I could pick up Anything. Plus my son and we a senior in high school. So we about to be empty nesters. Oh. So I'm already like, yeah, you know what I'm saying? You know what I mean? We could fly to work wherever.

[Jada Kiss]

Holland is nice as far as the bag. I know that's always lovely and a plus. But are you still. Do you have that same passion about acting?

[Omar Epps]

For sure. Because it never leaves you in evolving, producing, writing. I'm gonna direct one day. You know, just evolving, getting into the other parts of it. Not just, you know, in front of the camera. When I am in front of the camera, it's really something that I want to be. It's really how I want to spend my time. And I feel like.

[Fat Joe]

In front of the camera.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah, in front of the camera.

[Fat Joe]

Being an actor.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah, being an actor. And it's, you know, the artist forever. This is a craft. I think you will much like, you know, writing. I think you get better in time because you live more, you got more range. You know what I mean? So, you know, I'm excited about this next chapter.

[Fat Joe]

What are some of the black actors most iconic scenes?

[Jada Kiss]

That's a King Kong and got shit on me.

[Omar Epps]

I can't front, Joe. Nobody's ever asked me that question, ever.

[Fat Joe]

Pow. Pow.

[Omar Epps]

I can't front. So I'm the first scene I'm thinking sitting. It was basically the first time seeing a black man smack a white man on camp.

[Fat Joe]

Damn.

[Jada Kiss]

I seen that on the clip. I seen that in the heat of.

[Omar Epps]

The night, I believe. Yeah, yeah. It was just so jarring. You never seen that before. But that's also my acting hero. You know what I mean?

[Jada Kiss]

Rest in peace.

[Omar Epps]

Trying to think of. It's so many scenes and do the right thing. I understand like three or four of them.

[Fat Joe]

I mean, that was a great question.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah, that was a great question. But that's the first one that comes to mind. Yeah.

[Jada Kiss]

Now, who are some of the actors?

[Fat Joe]

Hold up. What's one of the most iconic scenes.

[Omar Epps]

That you would call this?

[Fat Joe]

Same question for you.

[Jada Kiss]

Kane's grandfather. Do you care whether you live or die? I don't know.

[Fat Joe]

Look at his face. He can't. You know, your man. Your man always go. Your man always got it revolving. Your man always got revolver.

[Jada Kiss]

How is he looking at me, dog?

[Fat Joe]

No, that was like. That was amazing. Would be. Anybody looked at me. Anybody said something.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah.

[Fat Joe]

Anybody ever has some hated jealousy.

[Omar Epps]

Faithful.

[Fat Joe]

I'm Achilles. Yo, that man. Yo. I feel like that, like in real life, that. That. That was very powerful. That was very Powerful.

[Omar Epps]

That's a great, great question.

[Fat Joe]

We really skated past Juice. Not we didn't give it enough praise, but to me, Juice. And that's why I said, we don't want to typecast you, whatever the case may be. You was young, hood. But that's an illmatic. That movie to me is like such an illmatic, a classic.

[Jada Kiss]

You can watch it. It's timeless. You watch it whenever it comes on. And whenever you catch it, you can watch it. You know, it's the illness with that. The guy at the end, he started working for bet. So every time we go to the BET Awards, I see him at the end and tell them, you got the Juice.

[Fat Joe]

Now the things be looking.

[Jada Kiss]

They like, oh, shit, that's really you.

[Fat Joe]

I met Tupac shortly after that, but I met Tupac from Juice.

[Omar Epps]

I didn't meet that pac.id won the ground. And Right, right.

[Fat Joe]

Coming up after you met Juice with.

[Jada Kiss]

A little bit of Bishop.

[Omar Epps]

That man.

[Fat Joe]

Well, I tell you, I was there.

[Omar Epps]

Big Daddy can't confirm the story.

[Fat Joe]

I'm in the crowd.

[Omar Epps]

Big Daddy Kane's performing, and Biggie and.

[Fat Joe]

Pac come in there. It's the Square Garden together. But they come through the back, through the crowd. They're not coming through back. They walk through the crowd. And the man was full fledged Juice, Tupac, he was walking through that crowd like, he was like, yo, it's Pop. He was walking through like pot, like. And Biggie with him. And that's when they do that. I got seven Mac Elevens, about eight. That shit.

[Omar Epps]

That's legend, legendary. And it's ill because, like, the kids don't understand, like, before social media, they can't even comprehend. They don't understand, like, the magnitude when you say, like, hot coming through or whoever. I got so many memories of people like that. That's the only time you saw them. So to see somebody in person, only one hard drive, people went crazy bananas. Like, all the video footage, like, you see Michael Jackson back in the days, people, it was like that. But for us, you know what I mean? They don't understand that crowd.

[Fat Joe]

Tupac Shakur walked in.

[Omar Epps]

Like the Juice. Yep.

[Fat Joe]

We had the Scully like that, the four. He was dressed just like Kiss right now. Was walking in, like, I'm even me. I knew him. I'm looking like, yo, that, you know, we know. You know what's crazy is my brother DJ Khaled, you know, one day I'm in the backyard. I mean, your caliber. God bless DJ Khaled. I don't even know how to Explain this to you, right? But I'm in the backyard with him.

[Omar Epps]

And he said, you know, Joe, you're.

[Fat Joe]

A star, and this and this and that. He said, but there was nothing like.

[Omar Epps]

Watching you walk in with Big Pun.

[Fat Joe]

He said, you walking in with Big Pun, both of y' all together.

[Omar Epps]

Big.

[Fat Joe]

He said that shit was like superheroes walking. Say, yo, man, y' all two used to walk in like Joe and Pun.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah.

[Fat Joe]

You know what I'm saying? It's certain people got that presence.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah.

[Fat Joe]

You know where you got that superhero presence.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah.

[Fat Joe]

You know, I don't want to say five, but give me five albums that inspired you. Yeah, yeah. Artists and albums ain't got to be.

[Omar Epps]

Top five and restart her boutique. Well, I don't know. It's not his.

[Fat Joe]

That's yours, Beloved.

[Jada Kiss]

This don't even hurt.

[Omar Epps]

I don't. I don't like the five and the three.

[Jada Kiss]

You don't like the category?

[Fat Joe]

You kind of gotta do errors.

[Omar Epps]

I'm saying top five, you gotta do, like, errors. I think errors is more fit. Cause, like, the first time. I remember, the first time I heard Ain't no Half Stuff on the radio.

[Fat Joe]

The first time I heard that beat.

[Omar Epps]

I wanted to jump through the wall. We never heard nothing like that. But it was like, what is that? You know what I mean? And then, by the time the video came out and all of this.

[Fat Joe]

Tell you something, video music box. I was for hire, right?

[Omar Epps]

I was for hire.

[Fat Joe]

I was a terrible guy, and I.

[Omar Epps]

Grew up with violence. And if you wanted people beat up, whatever you want. Mercenary Joe.

[Fat Joe]

Yeah. You come pick up Fat Joe and me, right?

[Omar Epps]

Real talk. Yeah.

[Fat Joe]

Mercenary Joe, that's the name of the movie. They come.

[Jada Kiss]

That's it.

[Fat Joe]

They come and say, fat Joe, I'm gonna buy you three pair of Jordans and a Pele. I need you to put in this work. Now we're jumping up van. And they say, the guy with the red shirt. Anything in the world, I jump out there like, Clash of the Tight.

[Omar Epps]

That's what I did, right?

[Fat Joe]

The first guy I met. I'm not saying a hitman. Let's eliminate that. One day, my reputation got out there so much, and he's my brother, this guy named Scarface Steve. He's the first kingpin I ever met. And so he came to my block looking for me at the cherry red 300 with the wide body kid. And the reason I'm telling you this story is I'm a bum, okay? Like, I don't know if these people understand. I'm a Bum. I was tough, but I had $2 in my pockets if that might have been one, right? So he comes pick me up. You know, you thinking he changing your life. That's like EF Hunting or some shit, right? So he pull up. Yo, Fat Joe. Yeah. Yo, get in the car. I'm looking at the whole project, the block. Like, yo, this nigga can get me in this fucking cherry red beds. And I locked the door. He had a wife popped out. And this shit just said, on and on and on. Ain't no half stepping. And the knees start driving off. You know how the dogs be in the car while they be having their head for the wind. I got my face out that window. Hey, I made them drive me 10 times around the projects.

[Omar Epps]

Right?

[Fat Joe]

No. Yeah, man, that's just say that changed my life right there, man. Shout out to Steve, man, Listen, that.

[Omar Epps]

Ain'T no half stepping his joints like that. You're right. It's. It's errors hardest album.

[Fat Joe]

Talking about it the other day when I was talking about it yesterday, Midnight.

[Omar Epps]

Marauders album, same thing. Yo, we drove around, we drove back to Queens. It's like one in the morning. We hit daylight. Just back to back to just listening to the album. Like, yo, this is the most incredible, you know, moments like that. The music. Just the music and the people making the music. You understand what I'm saying? The artist that's driving it, what we doing for not only ourselves and our family, for what we doing for this culture that we were bestowed, sort of passed on to us. You know what I mean? And I think, you know, we still in it, but we left it in great shape for the jungles. Cause they. They running it up right now. Crazy.

[Fat Joe]

Yeah, they just gotta come outside to the yard. But listen, yo, Kiss. Listen. You ever went to somebody's neighborhood, like, you love an artist and you had to go there like. Like you didn't know him yet.

[Omar Epps]

Rappers, you was like, nah, I wasn't one of them.

[Jada Kiss]

I'm coming to Yah.

[Omar Epps]

All the way up.

[Jada Kiss]

Yeah, I was into the baby to. Maybe to Mount Vernon, see if you see half or something. I wasn't.

[Fat Joe]

I drove to Jay Z. Hopefully I saw you.

[Jada Kiss]

I drove see you in Fortimore Concourse or something. Not real. We wasn't. Our was fortunate. Our was like 1 25th, 1 45th. Jew man, Fordham. That was the stint. Then it switched it, like, almost Bronx.

[Fat Joe]

You guys are like connected to the Bronx like this. Yonkers is like a part of the Bronx. It's connected.

[Omar Epps]

Literally.

[Fat Joe]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jada Kiss]

I know after the Bronx, you keep going these Yankees.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah.

[Fat Joe]

I never forget. I had my man lead. He was running the Bronx. He's in jail 46 years and. But he lived. His crib was on the low.

[Omar Epps]

Yonkers, man.

[Fat Joe]

I up, man.

[Omar Epps]

We. We did.

[Fat Joe]

It was the Source Awards. The Source Awards with Suge Knight, this Puff Daddy and all that. And Outkast won. So I gassed the. He had the new 500 Benz. I was like, yo, pull it out. He was like, nah, Joe, this. I mean, the big. That pun used to. But I mean, I'm talking about a year before someone seen one humanly possible. And I was gassing the.

[Omar Epps]

Yo, we gotta pull up so some more.

[Fat Joe]

Yo, man, we got on that highway. We crashed that bend on the way to that. That wanted to kill me paralyzed. Yo, fat boy, you made me crash this. Because it was like, you know, it's almost like a rose like. Like, you know that. Like you driving a boat.

[Omar Epps]

Them joints was heavy.

[Fat Joe]

Nobody had them shits. This was only that. If you had a 300, you was. The man ain't mad. The 500. Big body crashed up on the side of that from your.

[Omar Epps]

Oh, my.

[Fat Joe]

I thought he was gonna kill me. Then we had to go and get a regular car, just go to this Source Awards that day. But that went. You know, I remember gassing them, you know, hey, it's good to know that you have different levels of that life.

[Omar Epps]

You know what I'm saying? You gotta always remember those things when.

[Fat Joe]

You had to cast your man to jump in his whip and like that.

[Omar Epps]

You know what I'm saying?

[Fat Joe]

That's a big deal, right? I'm pulling up Source Awards. I'm like, yo, she gonna be crazy, man.

[Omar Epps]

We need to fight, man. Told me 30 never made it, boy. That's what crazy.

[Fat Joe]

Never would have made it. We fought out.

[Jada Kiss]

Where can they catch Moses?

[Omar Epps]

The black Moses Black is in theaters.

[Jada Kiss]

Let's go, man. Let's get your ass out of your crib. Go to the theaters, pay for some tickets, young man. Support our people.

[Fat Joe]

How soon till it gets in? Like the streaming apps and all, by.

[Jada Kiss]

The time this episode comes out. It's in theaters. No, it's in theaters.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah, it's gonna go to the.

[Fat Joe]

We gotta hard out. Yeah, this right here gotta come out. Cause the movie out. Cause that should be in the tape and Z bridge before you know this shit. Yeah, you guys right here.

[Omar Epps]

But go to the theater. You know, we talk about the theaters. It's about the experience.

[Fat Joe]

You know what I mean?

[Omar Epps]

It's going to see not only with your peoples, but people you don't know. Y' all reacting to the same parts. You know.

[Fat Joe]

Two months straight. No cog you see right now.

[Jada Kiss]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Omar Epps]

Sir.

[Fat Joe]

You know the. The theater. Get me back into that Diet Coke, that popcorn. You gotta absolutely. You know the shit.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah.

[Jada Kiss]

You can eat popcorn.

[Omar Epps]

No butter.

[Fat Joe]

Yeah, but it's a car, you know, I ain't been fucking with cars. But yo, the movie theater, we need everybody to go in there to the movie theater, go support Moses the Black man, one of that Marty supreme. And you going to all that other shit.

[Omar Epps]

Yeah, we need you.

[Fat Joe]

All right. Before we leave. I know it's time for you to go, but how proud are we of Teyana Taylor, man?

[Omar Epps]

Incredible. Incredibly proud, man. Teanna, you know, she from the town, but she is ridiculously talented. She always has been. And it's just so dope to see her get her just her just. Dude. And to get these opportunities. Cause she only getting started, you know what I mean?

[Fat Joe]

She looking like Viola Davis and all under me now. And she's young.

[Omar Epps]

She young.

[Fat Joe]

So I'm like, you know, I feel like she moving.

[Omar Epps]

AI, it's only one of her. It's just dope to see her get her just due and get those opportunities. Cause she hitting home runs every time. So salute to Teanna. We proud of you both.

[Fat Joe]

We proud of her too. Yo, this ain't that.

[Jada Kiss]

That ain't this. Crack and Kiss. Make some noise for Omar. Abs Blade.

[Fat Joe]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for pulling up in six degree weather.

[Omar Epps]

Oh, cool.

[Fat Joe]

Shit real out there.

[Omar Epps]

It ain't none.

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[Podcast Host 1]

Pro drivers live for race day, but for small business owners, every day is race day. That's why going pro with Lenovo pro matters one on one advice. IT solutions and customized hardware powered by Intel Core Ultra processors. Keep your business on the right track. Business goes pro with Lenovo Pro. Sign up for [e-mail] Pro.

[Omar Epps]

Janice Torres here and I'm Austin Hankwitz. We host the podcast Mind the Small Business Success Stories, produced by Ruby Studio in partnership with Intuit QuickBooks.

[Fat Joe]

We're back for season four to talk.

[Commercial Announcer]

To some incredible small business owners.

[Omar Epps]

The big thing about working at tech is that it's ever evolving, ever changing. Everyone's a rookie.

[Fat Joe]

That's how fast the industry is changing.

[Omar Epps]

So what I'm really excited about is to be part of that change. So listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple.

[Podcast Host 1]

Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Commercial Announcer]

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