Antonio Cartagena, known professionally as Fat Joe, is an American rapper, songwriter, and actor of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, born in 1970 in The Bronx, New York City. He began his music career in the early 1990s as a member of the Diggin' in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.) and later established himself as a solo artist with hits like "Lean Back," "What's Luv?" and "All the Way Up." Fat Joe has been influential in the hip-hop community, not only for his music but also for mentoring other artists and contributing to the genre's growth. His work has garnered several award nominations and wins, reflecting his impact on the music industry.