Fat Joe revealed what has helped him keep his weight down and eat healthier: cutting carbs.
“We just try to eat everything with the least carbs as possible,” Joe, 54, exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting the BET Hip Hop Awards on Thursday, October 10. “So we try to stay away from the bread, the pasta, the rice. That’s the smartest way to eat.”
Joe noted that “you still gotta have” carbs, so portion control is key.
“Like this morning I ate breakfast, I had this toast. I cut the corner off, ate it and kept it moving,” he shared. “Normally I would’ve ate [sic] the whole thing. But you know, that’s what we do. We cut carbs and try to be smarter.”
The “All the Way Up” rapper shared that Ozempic, which he takes for diabetes, had also helped him keep the weight off.
“Ozempic says you may only have two pieces of your favorite stuff,” he joked.
Although Joe has been on his weight loss journey for a few years, he emphasized that he wouldn’t be changing his rapper name because of his wife, Lorena Cartagena. (The couple share daughter Azariah, 18. Joe also has two sons from previous relationships.)
“My wife would kill me. She likes me being a big boy,” Joe shared with Us. “She hallucinates like I’m still that big boy. She loves that.”
While Joe has been busy with his weight loss journey, he also has been busy with his music career.
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“We have a single out now, me, DJ Khaled and Anitta’s called ‘Paradise,’ where we sample Stevie B ‘Spring Love,’” Joe explained. “And I had always loved that sample. … It’s doing really, really well all over radio and Spotify and all that. It’s beautiful. It’s one of those certain songs that you always love your whole life.”
Although Joe has teamed up with several notable artists over the years, he did note that there’s one female hip-hop artist he would still love to collaborate with.
“I would do a whole album with Mary Jane Blige in a second,” he gushed.
While Joe is a huge Blige, 53, fan, he also is really into Jelly Roll’s music — although, he isn’t planning on crossing over into country anytime soon.
“I love Jelly Roll. I don’t know enough about country to make a country record, but I do listen to Jelly Roll — especially when I’m flying cause he’s so God-like and so inspirational,” he explained. “I like him to get me through the turbulence. Jelly Roll, his life story, everything he’s been through is amazing.”
Although he appreciates country, Joe is still dedicated to rap, even hosting the BET Hip Hop Awards this year, airing on Tuesday, October 15.
“It’s the culture, you know, and it’s one of the few chances where we get to see our camaraderie and link up with other artists that we love,” he gushed. “Whether they may be the OGs or may be the youngest thing, smoking and representing the culture. That’s what my whole life is built on. So to be the host is a big honor.”
Joe noted that he “loves” all the new up and coming rappers because he has “been there” himself.
“So when I watch him I’m like, ‘All right, he’s gonna evolve. He’s gonna step it up.’ I was there, you know?” Joe told Us. “And so the game is always evolving. … I’m always impressed by what they doing, how they think. And then, you know, I got my own signature style that I bring to the table.”
The BET Hip Hop Awards 2024, hosted by Fat Joe, air Tuesday, October 15 at 8 p.m. ET on BET.
With reporting by Travis Cronin
