Fat Joe Expresses Confusion Over Today’s Hip-Hop Trends: ‘That’s Hip Hop?’
Hip-hop legend Fat Joe recently opened up about his struggles to connect with today’s rap music, admitting that much of the current sound leaves him feeling “confused.” In a candid interview with Complex, the “Lean Back” hitmaker shared his thoughts on the evolving state of the genre and how it differs from the diverse styles he grew up with.
Fat Joe on the Changing Sound of Hip-Hop
While expressing his love and support for the younger generation, Fat Joe admitted that some tracks make him question their place in the hip-hop landscape. “I encourage the youth and I love the youth, [but] I’ve sat in traffic and [heard the music] — I felt like they were playing devil music right next to me,” he said. “I’m like, ‘Yo, what the f*? That’s Hip Hop?!’ They got some weird s*** going on.”**
Despite his confusion, Joe clarified that he respects the new wave of artists but finds the current sound repetitive and lacking variety. He pointed out the genre’s earlier diversity, citing icons like Lauryn Hill, Biz Markie, Eric B. & Rakim, and Nas as examples of hip-hop’s broad spectrum.
Criticism of NYC’s Current Rap Scene
The Bronx-born rapper also took issue with the repetitive nature of today’s New York hip-hop scene. He mentioned that many tracks follow the same formula, leading to a sense of monotony. “Sometimes when I’m listening, especially in New York youth, I’m hearing the same s*, the same beats, and I’m numb. I’m like, ‘Yo, this is crazy.’”**
Recalling the past, Joe contrasted the romantic tracks of his era, such as LL Cool J’s ‘I Need Love,’ with the aggressive themes dominating today’s love songs. “If we had a love song, it’d be LL going, ‘I need love / Sometimes I stare at the room, I hear my conscience call.’ [Now], if you hear a love song, it’s over the same beat and it’s, ‘I’ll kill you! F* ya mother!’”**
No Plans for “Sexy Drill” Music
Fat Joe made it clear that he has no intentions of hopping on the latest trend of “sexy drill” music, a more sensual take on NYC drill rap popularized by artists like Cash Cobain and Ice Spice. Holding his head in his hands, he laughed off the idea, stating, “That’s definitely not in the works. I got a love song with f*ing Babyface.”**
Other Hip-Hop Veterans Weigh In
Fat Joe isn’t alone in his thoughts. Fellow hip-hop pioneer LL Cool J previously voiced his concerns about the lack of songwriting in modern rap. In an interview with The New York Times, LL remarked, “There’s nothing wrong with rapping about money and success, and there’s nothing wrong with rapping about pure sex — I love them both. [But] there has to be more to it than that, to me, in order for a project to be compelling.”
Similarly, Dr. Dre offered a nuanced perspective in a 2023 appearance on Kevin Hart’s Peacock series, Hart to Hart. While acknowledging the ongoing evolution of hip-hop, Dre admitted, “Most of this s*, I don’t like. I don’t listen to a lot of that s***. But I’m not hatin’ on it.”**
The Ongoing Evolution of Hip-Hop
As hip-hop continues to evolve, opinions on its direction will inevitably vary. While some veterans struggle to relate to the new sound, others embrace it as an unavoidable shift in the culture. Whether or not Fat Joe and others will adapt remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—hip-hop’s diversity and influence continue to shape generations.
