Fat Joe’s popular catchphrase; “Yesterday’s price is not today’s price” just took on a whole new meaning after the 53-year-old rapper received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Lehman College in his native Bronx, New York on Thursday, May 30.
The Terror Squad boss received the honor for “his ongoing commitment to uplifting the Bronx community and his profound impact on hip-hop culture,” per Lehman College.
During his speech at the school’s 56th annual commencement ceremony, the “What’s Luv?” rapper, born Joseph Cartagena, spoke to the students about overcoming obstacles and not letting setbacks stop you from achieving the goals a person sets for themselves.
“People try to block your blessings at every corner, everywhere you went,” Fat Joe told the students. “Sometimes you ask God, ‘Why me, God? Why is this happening to me?’ But if you didn’t die, it’s truly a blessing ‘cause you’re learning from the lessons, so someday in the future, you could apply that to your life and your success.”
“You’re just beginning your lives… Some of you been around, but I’m telling you, success never stops,” he urged. “There is no age limit to being successful.”
Having put out his first album more than 30 years ago, Fat Joe has utilized his position as an elder statesman in hip-hop to be an example of someone who gives back to the community that made him who he is today.
In March, Joe took part in a Power to the Patients event in Washington D.C. in support of healthcare pricing transparency in the U.S. and just last month he teamed with fellow rapper Zoey Dollaz along with Food for the Poor to kickstart a relief fund for Haiti’s humanitarian crisis.
Fat Joe’s last music release was “How We Get It”, a collaboration with AZ from his latest album, Truth Be Told.
