Celebrating 23 Years of Fat Joe’s “Don Cartagena” Album: A Hip Hop Classic

On this day in 1998, Fat Joe, the Terror Squad general, released his third album, “Don Cartagena,” marking a significant moment in his career and the rise of the Terror Squad crew. With the support of his fellow TS members Armageddon, Triple Seis, Cuban Link, and the breakout star Big Punisher, Fat Joe put together an album that would solidify their place in the hip-hop scene.

Featuring hit singles like “Bet Ya Man Can’t (Triz)” and “The Hidden Hand,” the album showcased the talent and chemistry of the Terror Squad members. However, it was the track “John Blaze,” produced by Ski and featuring Nas, Jadakiss, Raekwon, and Punisher, that became a standout and is still considered one of the greatest joint tracks in hip-hop history.

The commercial success of “Don Cartagena” reflected the overwhelming response from fans, as it became Fat Joe’s first top ten Billboard 200 release. With critical acclaim and selling 100,000 copies in its first week, the album quickly went gold within a month of its release, solidifying Fat Joe’s status as a hip-hop heavyweight.

As we look back on the legacy of “Don Cartagena,” we salute Fat Joe, Big Punisher (RIP), and the original Terror Squad members, as well as the producers and collaborators who contributed to this hip-hop classic. The album remains a timeless piece of work that continues to inspire and influence artists in the genre.