Fat Joe is the center of attention again but not for a new record.
The Bronx-bred rapper recently caused conversation after claiming he was once part of the Nation of Gods and Earths, also known as the Five Percent Nation. The group is breakaway sect of the Nation of Islam, but I am not going to get into all of that.
While Fat Joe didn’t offer a full sermon, a single photo did plenty of talking. Here it is:
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In it, the rapper stands among a group of people, casually sporting a knit kufi-style hat. This is associated with some form of cultural expression. The post didn’t include a long caption or any direct explanation. But for those tuned into Hip-Hop culture and street history, it didn’t take long to catch the implication. It seems like he was saying this is proof of his claims.
Many raised eyebrows. Fat Joe is Puerto Rican and Cuban! I just found that out. But did he ever officially study lessons or was he acknowledged by righteous teachers within Five Percent circles? While some dismissed it as a throwback to the days when everybody in New York was borrowing slang from the Supreme Alphabet, others went deeper. For more context, read this – “Crack-Kim Great God Allah” and the Value of Community Partnerships.”
Some of these people know being a Five Percenter demanded knowledge, dedication and a lifestyle rooted in divine mathematics.
Critics speculated that if Fat Joe was indeed down, it could have been someone that was not all the way down himself. “There were definitely some dudes out there faking the funk,” one post read. “So maybe Joe got knowledge from a 85er pretending to be righteous.”
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But none of this chatter has stopped the jokes. Memes quickly flooded timelines and group chats. One of the standout nicknames being tossed around? “The God Crakk Kim Great God Allah” Priceless!
Despite the buzz, Fat Joe hasn’t offered any follow-up clarification. I think Joe will be ok in this one!