Fat Joe recently shared some wild stories and finally revealed why 50 Cent really had beef with him during all that drama with Ja Rule.

Joe started off talking about the classic battle between LL Cool J and Canibus. He said that battle marked the beginning of a toxic comparison culture in hip-hop. As a young, hungry rapper, Canibus went up against LL, the first artist ever signed to Def Jam. Joe thought it should’ve never happened; he felt it was a red flag for the culture, but people love negativity and controversy.

He mentioned how Canibus eventually went into the military, and that Big Pun actually respected him a lot. Pun even wanted to battle Canibus because he knew the man was talented. Joe also talked about other moments he didn’t like in hip-hop history — like when KRS-One threw PM Dawn off stage. Joe admitted he loved PM Dawn and didn’t like that move at all.

Then, Fat Joe started telling a story about the old street days. He spoke about “Monkeyface Carlos,” a Bronx legend and alleged killer, known for being one of the most feared guys in the streets. Carlos dated a girl from Joe’s building. When Joe was just 14, he gave Carlos some “work” (drugs), and Carlos basically brushed him off, saying, “Oh, you dead on that,” meaning he wasn’t paying him back or dealing with it.

Joe explained how, as a young kid, he stood up to Carlos. He ran up on him, punched him, and kept hitting him while he was on the ground. Joe felt proud he found the courage to do that, even though Carlos was a serious street figure. Luckily, Carlos didn’t retaliate or come back for revenge. Joe reflected on how he couldn’t stand being disrespected, and that revenge is a dish you can serve however you want — cold, hot, leftover, whatever.

He also shared another story about a guy who disrespected him outside Jimmy’s Café. The man came out of jail and said, “Oh, they let you in here?” implying Joe shouldn’t even be around. Joe didn’t hesitate — he slapped him in the bathroom, and when the guy tried to act tough outside, Joe finished it there too. Years later, he saw that guy again with The LOX, but Joe just moved on.

After those street stories, Joe circled back to the topic of rap beef. He said he once tried to squash a beef between two big rappers (not involving 50 Cent and Ja Rule). One of them told Joe straight up:

> “Why would I squash it? Every time I diss them or mention their name, I go viral.”

Joe realized that a lot of artists keep beef going because it gives them attention and keeps them relevant.

Finally, he shared what 50 Cent told him directly. 50 said:

> “The beef was never really with you, Joe. You were just too loyal. You took their side because you made music with them.”

Joe said 50 recently told him that face to face. The real problem wasn’t personal — it was about loyalty and the alliances Joe chose during that era.

In the end, Fat Joe made it clear that a lot of this beef stuff in the rap game is more about marketing, loyalty, and going viral than actual hatred.