The Book of Jose

A Memoir

By: FAT JOE, Shaheem Reid

Narrated by: FAT JOE

Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum–selling artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Fat Joe pulls back the curtain on his larger-than-life persona in this gritty, intimate memoir about growing up in the South Bronx and finding his voice through music.

“An adrenaline rush . . . buckle up and lean back.”—Spin

Fat Joe is a hip-hop legend, but this is not a tale of celebrity; it is the story of Joseph Cartagena, a kid who came of age in the South Bronx during its darkest years of drugs, violence, and abandonment, and how he navigated that traumatizing landscape until he found—through art, friendship, luck, and will—a rocky path to a different life.

Joe is born into a sprawling Puerto Rican and Cuban family in the projects of the South Bronx. From infancy his life is threatened by violence, and by the time he starts middle school, he is faced with the grim choice that defined a generation: to become predator or prey. Soon Joe and his crew dominate the streets, but he finds his true love among the park jams where the Bronx’s wild energy takes musical form. His identity splits in two: a hustler roaming record stores, looking for beats; and a budding rapper whose violent rep rings in the streets. As Joe’s day-to-day life becomes more fraught with betrayal, addiction, and death, until he himself is shot and almost killed, he gravitates toward the music that gives him both a voice to tell the stories of his young life and the tools he needs to create a new one. The challenges never stop—but neither does Joe.

This memoir, written in Joe’s own intensely compelling voice, moves with the momentum of pulp fiction, but underneath the tragicomedy and riveting tales of the streets and the industry is a thought-provoking story about a generation of survivors raised in warlike conditions—the life-and-death choices they had to make, the friends they lost and mourned, and the glittering lives they created from the ruins.

INCREDIBLE AND INSPIRATIONAL STORY

Was a fabulous story that was exciting sad scary and impressive. I’ve always liked Fatjo, but never knew his story so in depth, he is a real success story and hope that he continues on that path. I will probably listen to this book again.

Incredible Story

What an incredible story. Joe went through a lot. We only see the finished product. Joe’s raw storytelling is filled with so much emotion and power, I finished the audiobook in one day. I couldn’t turn it off.

Amazing Story

Loved this book. It is truly and American tale of an American kid living the American dream.

Lugo’s review

I really appreciated this book and I loved it was narrated by Fat joe himself. It was a nice walk down memory lane in regards to the music industry throughout the past 30 years.
I recommend this book to anyone who feels like they come from the streets, anyone who love music, or anyone who just loves a good overall biography

Book of Jose

Super dope book !! I loved every word !! Salutes Joe Crack !! Love the lessons!! Love the story telling !! Just an awesome book!!