It wasn't long before he was soon making his own local reputation as a graffiti artist (he still maintains strong ties with Bronx-based TATS crew) under the alias Joey Crack.

Eventually going by the name of Fat Joe Da Gangsta, the fledgling rapper secured a recording contract with the Relativity label in the early '90s, resulting in the release of his full-length debut, "Represent", in 1993. Showcasing the hungry young rapper's gritty street tales, laid over quality production by the likes of Lord Finesse, the Beatnuts, Diamond D, and Showbiz, "Represent" was embraced by Hip Hop's hardest fans everywhere. The albums infamous single, "Flow Joe", shot up the charts in the US, and reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart.

Two years later, Fat Joe issued his second effort, "Jealous One's Envy", which included a cameo appearance by KRS-One, as well as production contributions by the likes of DJ Premier, LES, and Domingo. The album also introduced listeners to a fiery lyricist that Joe had taken under his wing, the one and only Big Punisher. Around the same time, Fat Joe began to spread his appeal by collaborating with LL Cool J on the hit "I Shot Ya" (along with Foxy Brown and Keith Murray), and with the Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon on a track from the "Envy" single, called "Firewater", which also introduced some of Fat Joe's growing Terror Squad family.

By the late '90s, Fat Joe had switched record labels (signing on with Atlantic) and tried his hand at other non-musical career ventures, such as opening a clothing store called Fat Joe's Halftime, a barber shop, and a fashion line, FJ560. In addition, he signed a production and distribution deal with Atlantic Records and Mystic Entertainment (which he runs along with partner Big Greg).

1998 saw the release of Fat Joe's debut for Atlantic, "Don Cartagena", which featured cameo appearances by the likes of Puff Daddy, Nas, Raekwon, Big Pun, and Jadakiss (L.O.X.), and a year later Joe introduced his Terror Squad collective by releasing "Terror Squad - The Album".

In 2001, Fat Joe scored a hit with "We Thuggin", featuring R.Kelly and "What Love" featuring Ashanti, from his fourth solo record "Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.)", which included contributions from Ludacris, Petey Pablo, M.O.P., R. Kelly, Ashanti and Remy. The album, despite these radio friendly singles, saw no departure from the rawness that had previously graced Fat Joe offerings, and led to the album being certified Platinum.

"Loyalty" came along in 2002, followed by the second Terror Squad album "True Story", which featured the mega-smash single "Lean Back." The single took the radio waves by storm and became Joe's first No 1 single atop the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, garnering him and the Terror Squad a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

Now back with his sixth solo effort "All Or Nothing", including powerhouse production from the likes of Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, Scott Storch and Cool & Dre, the album will hit stores around Europe on 18th July. So to celebrate the release, join us as we name Fat Joe as our well overdue MTV European Artist Of The Week.