Fat Joe Discusses His Weight Loss and the 'Honor' of Hosting the BET Hip Hop Awards (Exclusive)

In an exclusive interview, Fat Joe, the renowned hip-hop artist and emcee of this year's BET Hip Hop Awards, shared the deeply personal reasons behind his incredible 200-pound weight loss transformation.

Speaking with ET's Kevin Frazier, Joe opened up about his health journey and his hosting role at the upcoming awards show. He candidly expressed that his primary motivation for shedding the pounds is quite simple: "I just want to live a long and healthy life."

He went on to highlight the sobering reality of age, observing how he's seen friends and colleagues, some even younger than himself, succumb to health issues. He emphasized the importance of making an effort to prioritize one's health, saying, "We're just trying to be as healthy as possible."

Joe also shared that he is driven to stay healthy for the sake of his 17-year-old daughter, Azariah, whom he shares with his wife, Lorena Cartagena, in addition to their two adult sons, Joey and Ryan. He explained, "My daughter is my top priority, and she pretty much runs the show in our family. So, I did it for her."

Hosting this year's BET Hip Hop Awards is a significant milestone for Joe, and he expressed his gratitude, saying, "It's truly an honor for me." He reflected on his journey from participating in talent shows and amateur nights at venues like the Apollo Theater during his upbringing to now hosting the 50th year of hip hop at the BET Hip Hop Awards. He added, "I'm here because of my love for hip hop," and promised viewers an exceptional show filled with surprises and star-studded appearances.

Joe also mentioned his excitement about the behind-the-scenes preparations for the event, noting the impressive lineup of talent and anticipating an electrifying and unforgettable show for fans.