Fat Joe Says 'I Will Never Back Down' In Statement Responding To $20 Million Lawsuit

Rapper Fat Joe, real name Joseph Cartagena, has released a statement in response to the bombshell $20 million lawsuit against him.

Last week, Joe's former hype man, Terrence T. A. Dixon, filed a lawsuit accusing him of engaging in illicit activity with teenage girls while they worked together.

However, Joe's attorney stressed that Dixon's claims were "lies intended to damage his reputation."

Since news of Terrence T. A. Dixon's lawsuit made headlines, Joe's response has been via his attorney. However, on Wednesday, the rapper took matters into his own hands with a powerful statement.

Taking to his Instagram page, Joe posted a statement that read, "I've been tested the last few months — I've lost my big brother, my father, my mother and now I'm fighting against these disgusting lies. But please know I will not break and I will NEVER back down."

Joe lamented people using his kindness against him, noting, "I've had individuals in my circle take my love and kindness for weakness, but how many times must we forgive them? I've had people steal from me, grow jealous [of] me, lie on me."

He continued, "Through it all, me and my family are the ones stuck dealing with the consequences of their bad decisions."

Joe continued his statement with a message for his accuser, Dixon.

He wrote, "If you get fired for doing something wrong, just take the L and live with it. But instead, they plot on your downfall as they watch you move on with your life. They decided to go after one of the things you value the most — your reputation."

The "What's Luv" crooner continued, "They figure they can make up the most insane stories and, if they threaten you with a lawsuit, then you'll pay and they'll feel like they finally won."

He added, "Problem with your theory, I've never let anyone on the streets extort me, so how would I ever let a crooked attorney and a coward ex-hypeman extort me?? I'm from the Bronx!"

Joe also had a message for Dixon's attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, whom he accused of chasing clout.

He said, "Mr. Tyrone Blackburn attorney at law since you want the clout, we will finish you in court."

The 54-year-old rapper stressed, "The time of lawyers using their law license as a badge to extort people and destroy families with no evidence is over!!"

He concluded, "I'm not the one!! You've messed with the wrong one this time!!"

Fat Joe's statement came a few hours after his accuser's attorney, Blackburn, was arrested for assaulting the elderly. A spokesperson for the New York Police Department confirmed Blackburn's arrest.

The arrest stemmed from an incident that reportedly took place last month. On the evening of May 12, Blackburn encountered a 66-year-old process server who had been dispatched by Joe's attorney, Joe Tacopina, to deliver legal documents.

According to police, things took a turn when Blackburn learned of the server's intent. Rather than accept the paperwork, he allegedly got into his vehicle, reversed the car, and struck the man in the leg. The impact reportedly caused a minor injury.

TMZ reported that the legal server had been attempting to deliver a complaint connected to a case involving Tacopina.

The encounter quickly escalated into a confrontation that now has Blackburn facing legal consequences of his own.

On June 19, 2025, Terrence D. A. Dixon filed a lawsuit against Fat Joe in Manhattan federal court.

Dixon accused Joe of engaging in sexual relationships with underage girls, including a 16-year-old Dominican girl who allegedly performed sexual acts for cash and goods, and a 15-year-old Caucasian girl flown to New York and Miami, for whom Joe reportedly paid for a Brazilian Butt Lift.

The rapper's former hypeman also claimed that Joe fell in love with a 15-year-old Latina, covering her expenses and housing her near his Florida home, even contemplating leaving his wife.

These allegations, detailed in a 157-page complaint with a trigger warning, suggested Joe referenced such behavior in his song "She Loves My Mama."

Dixon further alleged that Joe coerced him into over 4,000 sexual acts under duress, often in front of others, and underpaid him, denying songwriting credits and royalties.

However, Joe's attorney, Joe Tacopina, vehemently denies the claims, calling them "complete fabrications" and a retaliatory move against Joe's April 2025 defamation lawsuit against Dixon for similar social media accusations.

Tacopina asserted that Dixon's lawsuit is an extortion attempt, noting law enforcement's awareness of his demands.