adminThe court hearing took place in Newark, New Jersey, during which the rapper apologised publicly to friends, family and supporters.
Fat Joe, who topped hip-hop charts with singles such as “What’s Luv” (with Ashanti and Ja Rule), had failed to file income taxes for two years.
Federal prosecutors said that the government’s total tax loss from the rapper over the period was US$718,038.
The “Lean Back” star is CEO of Terror Squad which is the company via which he earned much of the US$3 million he made from 2007-2010.
The courtroom was filled with family and friends and Fat Joe took the opportunity to speak out after his sentence was delivered.
He spoke about growing up in a housing project in the Bronx in NYC where he was surrounded by drugs, guns and “violence all around’’.
“I did everything I could to achieve what I could, to move my family; I tried to stay positive, focus on the positive, and get myself out,’’ the rapper said.
He is known for speaking out publicly about his efforts to lose weight and speaking in schools about to children about obesity-related issues and the importance of health and fitness.
As the hip-hop icon continued his apology to his supporters, he said: “I guess I’m surprised, because I worked so hard to not end up in court, that I’m here, and that this is the last place I thought I would be.’’
Fat Joe is set to go to prison by August 26, and he has also been fined US$15 000. — www.mtvnews.
Online Reporter