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— by Shaheem Reid
NEW YORK — Thank the Lord for modern technology, which allows people like Fat Joe to be in two places at once. It's Tuesday, the day his much-anticipated family album with the Terror Squad, True Story, hits stores, but Joe has hit the wall.
He needs a nap, but what he really needs to do is promote the LP.
So instead of actually being in a radio studio with Funkmaster Flex at 7 p.m., Joe is at his hotel room in the Le Parker Meridien catching some Z's. Meanwhile, the tri-state area hears Joe, Remy Martin, Prospect, Armageddon and Tony Sunshine on the air, courtesy of a pre-taped chat.
Around midnight, the Bronx rapper has arisen. Joe has his crew meet him at the hotel so they can all travel together to club Deep for True Story's release party. Outside the hotel, various members of the Terror Squad and their extended family seem to show up within seconds of each other, all wearing their TS chains. Producers Cool & Dre, DJ Khaled and video director Raul Conders join the fray.
"These shoes are only to walk in," Remy says of the white open-toed heels she's wearing with her super-short white skirt, cleavage-exposing white dress shirt and white fedora. In her hand is a purse and a pair of white-on-white Air Force Ones she plans on changing into after her grand entrance at Deep.
Once everyone is in their respective vehicles, Joe gets another chance to relax, leaning back in the shotgun seat of his SUV. "I haven't been to sleep in three days," Joe says, listening to a 50 Cent and Young Buck record DJ Green Lantern is playing on Hot 97.
"It can't be the money for me," he says, reflecting on the steady climb of his 12-year career. Joey Crack is in love with the Terror Squad's True Story and has even higher aspirations for his next solo LP, Things of That Nature.
"I'm here to make history," he continues, in his reclined position, before spotting a familiar-looking passenger in the vehicle next to him.
"Yo, that's Raekwon!" Joe exclaims, looking into the white SUV driving one lane over. "N---as came, yo! Rae, what up?"
"You know I'm here!" the Wu-Tang Clan's Chef responds with a smile.
With the rain pouring, a security guard greets Joe and company with umbrellas and escorts everyone into the club. Once he's nestled comfortably in the VIP section, Joe receives a succession of well-wishers who congratulate the MC on his success. It's like watching an entire village lining up to furnish a newly crowned king with gifts. This king, however, doesn't wear a robe and crown — he has on a T-shirt and a Yankees cap.
Four bottles of Cristal arrive in a bucket, but Joe just sips bottled water while his entourage drinks.
"Oh, you gangsta now?" Joey laughs, talking to Remy. Although he saw her back at the hotel, this is the first time he's paying attention to her get-up. His remark gets a sisterly smile from Rem.
While Remy goes off to the other side of the VIP section with her girls, Armageddon talks on a cell phone, Prospect lies inconspicuous in the cut and Tony Sunshine hasn't arrived yet. Meanwhile, the well-wishers continue to roll out for Joe.
Raekwon finally comes in, Tego Calderón follows shortly, and then comes DJ Kay Slay, or as he call himself sometimes, "the black Fat Joe." Evidently, VIP has become too crowded for Remy, and she nudges past a row of guys on her way to where the regular clubgoers are.
"Let's try to move," Rem says, trying to fend off aggravation. Shortly after the Bronx rapper goes out (following a shouting match with a man at the front of the VIP entrance), Tony Sunshine comes in. Right on cue, they're playing his song "Oh My God."
As camera flashes go off, Joe's wife stands on the couch so she can be eye-level with her husband for their picture. He plants one on her lips and as they embrace, he mouths Sunshine's words to the song, "Make me so oh, oh, oh, oh, oh/ Oh my Gaaawwwd!"
Around 3 a.m. the party moves from the VIP section to the stage. With Fabolous, DJ Clue and members of their Desert Storm affiliates looking on — not to mention the rest of the club — Joe assembles his family. "I know it's a lot of rain outside. I appreciate y'all coming out for the Squad. I don't know why, but we only got one mic up here. We gotta pass it around old-school style."
Joe mostly maintains the mic in his hand for "Twinz (Deep Cover '98)" and "My Lifestyle," but he lets Tony rock for "Oh My God." With a second mic now handy, Remy and Joe join Tone for the remix of "Oh My God," then "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah."
"I ain't gonna lie to y'all," Joe says to the crowd. "Y'all making the right choice supporting us, 'cause we the realest n---as in the game."
The highlight of the Squad set is clearly Tego coming out for "Lean Back." Calderon starts the record off with the verses from his reggaeton remix and the floor shakes as almost everyone throws their arms in the air.
"Puuuuuuullllllll up!" Joe yells before Tego can finish his part. When the song starts over, Tego, Joe and Remy spit fire on the mic.
With the spectators doing the rockaway dance in unison, Joe shuts the beat off to let his friend Charlie Hustle, who just finished a six-year prison stint, rap a cappella about his tough life. Then Joe and Remy end the party with two a cappella verses of their own.
Live, not pre-taped.
During Backstage Pass Week we're taking you inside the studio with the hottest artists and behind the scenes of the biggest tours. For more unprecedented access and a lineup of our on-air offerings, check out the Backstage Pass page.
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Photo: Walik Goshorn
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