EXCLUSIVE: Fat Joe Talks Collaborating With Jay Z, The Integrity Of Tidal & NYC Hip Hop Unity

DON CARTAGENA SPEAKS WITH AHH ABOUT HIS “ALL THE WAY UP” REMIX & MORE

(AllHipHop Features) Fat Joe and Remy Ma lit up social media on Tuesday night when the Bronx duo let loose the remix of “All The Way Up” featuring Jay Z.

The new version of the smash hit was received as a New York City anthem which also made an impact worldwide.

In addition, the song was significant because it marked the official public ending of any animosity between Joe and Jay. Rap fans finally got to hear the two legendary East Coast representatives spit lines on the same track.

AllHipHop.com spoke with Fat Joe to get more insight into the creation of the “All The Way Up” remix with Hov.

The Terror Squad leader discussed his support for Tidal, the growing unity among his hometown’s Hip Hop veterans, and what concert goers can expect at this year’s Hot 97 Summer Jam as well.

[ALSO READ: Jay Z Jumps On The Remix To Fat Joe & Remy Ma’s “All The Way Up” (AUDIO)]

Well we did that. we did it for the city. I told you we’ll paralyze the game #allthewayupremix

A photo posted by FAT JOE (@fatjoe) on

How did the remix with Jay come together?

I’ve always been a big fan of Jay Z and an admirer of his music and what he’s done as a businessman. It was always on my bucket list to work with him. So when I was thinking about what would be the illest remix for New York City and for Hip Hop, of course his name was on the top of the list.

I reached out to N.O.R.E, because he had a serious relationship with Memphis Bleek. He got Bleek on the phone, and I told Bleek about the plans. He called Jay Z, and Jay Z called me back in like five minutes. He said, “Let’s’ do it. I can’t wait.” The rest was history.

Was releasing the song on Tidal part of the conversation as well?

[Jay Z] spent millions and millions of dollars on that platform, and he’s doing it to help the artists. They broke that down to me, and I said let’s release it exclusively on Tidal.

Are you interested in releasing more work on Tidal?

Of course. I love what Tidal’s doing for the artists. The artists really have to get compensated for their music. Whenever you wonder where your favorite artists went, he can’t be an artist because he ain’t making enough money to be an artist.

If you’re going to be a genius and a talented person and don’t get compensated for your contributions to the game, then that’s not a good look. What really got me was the fact Prince fought for his name and masters for 20 years. Then he co-signed Tidal. Him putting all his music on Tidal lets you know the integrity behind Tidal.

Jay mentioned that [about Prince] at the end of his verse. What was your reaction the first time you heard his full verse?

I said, “That n-gga ain’t leave me no crumbs.” He took the whole thing. [laughs] Honestly, when I heard it I was like, “Oh my God. That verse is incredible.”

You changed your verse from the original. It seems like your new verse had a couple of bars directed at your doubters. I also saw a tweet you posted recently where you were saying how dropping a hot single every couple of years is a reminder of how some people don’t reach out to you in between those times. Have you had a lot of “friends” come out of the woodwork since “All The Way Up” became a hit?

We won’t allow them to come out of the woodwork. Fakeness and fake people – we don’t want to be associated with them, we don’t want to be friends with them. They know who they are. Stay where you’re at. Buy popcorn. Watch the movie from afar.

You have to be happy that it’s a huge hit…

I’m not just happy, I’m ecstatic. It feels like I’m smoking crack or something. I don’t know how to act. [laughs] You gotta understand in 1993 I came out with my first single, “Flow Joe,” and it went #1 in the country. And now 23 years later we got a top 10 song in America. It’s unheard of in Hip Hop music.

I know what this is. I’m really appreciating it. When a lot of people made history or broke a record, they weren’t even aware of what they were doing. I’m aware of what’s going on. Especially since we’re doing this independent.

There’s nobody behind door number one. This is a four/five man team. It comes a time when you’re signed to a major label and they feel like you’re not of use anymore, and they leave you for dead. Most artists never took the time out to learn the business, so they’re left there f-cked up.

Not me. I’m never gonna let somebody predict my destiny. I’m never gonna let somebody dictate to me what the rules are or when I should lie down. That’s not gonna happen.

Ever since pun been gone been independent, so I went and threw the pun jumpman up in the pendant! #allthewayup

A video posted by FAT JOE (@fatjoe) on

Over the last few years, we’ve seen you connect with Jay, and you ended your situation with 50 Cent. Cam’ron also showed love to Jay. You talked about N.O.R.E. He settled his issues with Nas. It seems like some of the vets in New York are starting to put aside their differences to come together for the sake of the culture. What do you think has led to these reconciliations?

I don’t know what led to their reconciliations, but definitely the reason we did this sh-t was so the sh-t that happened last night where people got shot in the middle of a concert doesn’t happen. We’re trying to show people you can have your differences but it can actually end peacefully. It doesn’t have to end with death and destruction.

That’s pretty ironic that [shooting happened] while we’re doing this symbol of unity. I hope these young kids see it and follow suit. Cause ain’t nothing really worth it.

You gotta understand most of us grew up in poverty with a dream and all the stripes against us. The fact we’re able to make music, make money, have fans, and make our dreams come true – we really gotta appreciate that.

That doesn’t happen for everybody. So take care of your family, pay your bills, and take care of your health. That’s the most important thing, not getting to a level where you’re going to get in trouble.

As a Hip Hop fan, I really appreciate that message. That’s definitely something we need to hear.

We’re leading by example. We’re not just talking that sh-t. We’re doing what we’re saying people need to do.

@hot97 SummerJam #AllSummer16 #AllTheWayUp #HandsDown #RemyMa #RemyMafia

A photo posted by Remy Ma (@remyma) on

You’re performing at Summer Jam this year. What can fans expect from your set?

Oh, we’re gonna body that sh-t. That’s a wrap.

A live performance of the remix would set that stadium on fire.

I wish. I don’t know. There ain’t no talk about that. I mean… I wish. [laughs]

You have the project with Remy [Plata O Plomo] coming. What else can we expect from Fat Joe?

I don’t know, but I know this album with Remy is going to continue to paralyze the game.

[ALSO READ: Fat Joe, Remy Ma & French Montana Perform “All The Way” Live On ‘The Real’]

Follow Fat Joe on Twitter @fatjoe, Instagram @fatjoe, and Snapchat @fatjoets.

Stream Fat Joe & Remy Ma’s “All The Way Up (Remix)” featuring Jay Z, French Montana, and Infared on Tidal.

Watch the video for the original “All The Way Up” below.