Fat Joe has broken his silence following serious allegations made against him in a recent lawsuit filed by his former hypeman, Terrance Dixon. The civil suit accuses the Bronx-born rapper of “coercive labor exploitation, financial fraud, sexual manipulation, violent intimidation, and psychological coercion.” Most notably, Dixon also alleges that Joe engaged in sexual conduct with minors, claims that have sent shockwaves through the hip-hop community.
On Wednesday, Fat Joe took to Instagram to issue a firm and personal denial. “I’ve been tested the last few months — I lost my big brother, my father, and my mother,” he wrote. “And now I’m fighting against these disgusting lies. But know this: I will not break and I will NEVER back down.”
The Terror Squad frontman hinted at long-simmering tensions within his inner circle, suggesting Dixon’s lawsuit is an attempt at retaliation. “I’ve had people steal from me, grow jealous of me, lie on me. And through it all, me and my family are the ones left to clean up the mess,” Joe wrote. “If you get fired for doing something wrong, take the L and move on. But instead, some people plot on your downfall.”
In his statement, Joe described the lawsuit as an attempted extortion campaign. “They think that if they threaten you with a lawsuit, you’ll cave,” he said. “But I’ve never been extorted on the streets, so I won’t be extorted in a courtroom.”
He also took direct aim at Dixon’s attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, who has been involved in multiple high-profile cases. “Mr. Tyrone Blackburn, if clout is what you’re after, we’ll settle this in court,” Joe added. “The days of lawyers weaponizing their license to destroy families without proof are over. You picked the wrong one.”
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York earlier this month, seeks up to $20 million in damages. As of now, no criminal charges have been filed.