1 / 12

Follow the Leaders: Fat Joe - It takes a lot of skill to be in the rap game for a few years, but to be in it for almost two decades says a lot about a person and their ability, so it's no wonder that Fat Joe is still cranking out hits. The South Bronx native that's always proudly repped his hood and his culture will be taking the stage at this year's BET Hip Hop Awards. He may perform some classics, or he may opt to perform some cuts off of his upcoming album, either way tune in on October 9 at 8P/7C to see why jealous ones still envy Fat Joe. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

2 / 12

'90s Flow - After growing up in a rough neighborhood and doing what it took to take care of his family, Fat Joe discovered rap thanks to Big Pun. Then Fat Joe became an emcee and signed to Relativity Records and released his first album, Represent, in 1993.  (Photo: Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Photo By Graham Denholm/Getty Images

3 / 12

Jealousy Is a Sin - Realizing his prowess on the mic, Fat Joe released his second studio album, Jealous Ones Envy, in 1995. The album had a feature from the legendary KRS-One and led to him collaborating with the likes of LL Cool J, Foxy Brown and Mobb Deep. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)

4 / 12

Terror Squad Up - With a major label deal with Atlantic Records under his belt and the release of Don Cartegena in 1998, Fat Joe's group, Terror Squad, was born. The Terror Squad featured fellow rappers Big Pun, Cuban Link, Triple Sies, Prospect, Armegeddon and then eventually the first lady, Remy Ma. (Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

5 / 12

Latin Explosion - In the late '90s there was a huge influx of Latino acts in music including the rise of Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias and J.Lo. It was at this time that Fat Joe, along with his partner in crime, Big Pun, went mainstream and did some work with Jennifer Lopez on her single "Feelin' So Good." Talk about the BX connection. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

6 / 12

Murda Inc. Influence - With the release of 2001's Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.), Fat Joe utilized the production of the then-hot producer Irv Gotti. This album spawned one of Fat Joe's biggest hits, "What's Luv?," featuring the R&B princess Ashanti and Queens emcee Ja Rule. (Photo: Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

7 / 12

A Friend and Brother Forever - In 2000, after a serious battle with his weight, Fat Joe's confidante, mentor and brother in music, Big Pun, passed away due to a heart attack at the age of 28. Fat Joe was affected forever and vowed to keep Pun's legacy alive forever. Years later the loss of Big Pun inspired Fat Joe to shed his extra weight in order to live a healthier lifestyle that would allow him to be around for his family, friends and fans.  (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

8 / 12

No. 1 - In the spirit of fad dances and catchy tunes, people will always reference Fat Joe's "Lean Back." It was 2004, Scott Storch was one of the hottest hip hop producers in the game and Remy Ma and Fat Joe knocked this Terror Squad track straight out of the park. The single made so many waves in the industry that it hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts.   (Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

9 / 12

It's All About Joe - Like "Lean Back," Fat Joe's 2006 single "Make It Rain," featuring Lil Wayne, was wildly successful. It was, and still is, a popular strip-club anthem that will have gents throwing dollars in every direction to the beat.  (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

10 / 12

Still Gettin' Money - As an honorary Miami native, it was beyond fitting that Fat Joe was featured on DJ Khaled's 2007 summer anthem "We Takin' Over," which featured Akon, T.I., Birdman, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross. He continue his relationship with Khaled on the remix of "I'm So Hood."   (Photo: Bryan Haraway/Getty Images)

11 / 12

Ladies Love Fat Joe - After years of heavy-hitting club bangers, Fat Joe decided to take a slightly romantic route with his 2008 album, Elephant in the Room. Fat Joe showed that he's quite the ladies man with the J. Holiday-assisted "I Won't Tell." This album also spawned the hit "Ain't Sayin' Nuthin'," featuring one of the ratchet princes of hip hop, Plies. (Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage for VH-1 Channel - New York)

12 / 12

Steppin' to the Darkside - The Darkside series started in 2010 and has spawned Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 with Vol. 3 on the way. The series hints at Fat Joe's eventual retirement from the game, but the real question is whether or not he's ready to say goodbye to it all. To see what Fat Joe has left and why he's still doing his thing 20 years after he started, tune into the 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards on October 9 at 8P/7C! (Photo: Mat Szwajkos/Getty Images)