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

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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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].

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]

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

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.

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.

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.