Rapper Fat Joe has split from his wife of 17 years, according to reports.

The Lean Back hitmaker, real name Joe Cartagena, and his wife Lorena recently parted ways amid claims of his infidelity, reports TheYBF.com.

The hip-hop star, who has shed more than 100 pounds in the past year, has a five-year-old daughter, Azariah, with Lorena.

He also has two elder children from previous relationships.

Rappers Lil Wayne and Fat Joe are set to become sports coaches for a day as part of basketball star Dwight Howard's charity tournament this weekend.

The pair will coach professional NBA players such as Matt Barnes, Gilbert Arenas and Vince Carter as they play ball for the D12 Foundation's All-Star Celebrity Weekend in Orlando, Florida.

Sunday's event will help to raise funds for Howard's youth education organization, the D12 Foundation, and he has publicly thanked the two hip-hop hit-makers via Twitter.com.

The Orlando Magic center writes, "This weekend is going to be crazy. I got my ...

Rapper Fat Joe has no intention of changing his stage name after slimming down by more than 100 pounds - insisting he'll always be "fat at heart."

The Lean Back hitmaker's portly frame earned him his rap moniker when he was young, but he recently underwent a drastic diet overhaul to help him shed the excess weight.

Now the star, who openly admits he's "addicted to food", has managed to get his weight down to 260 pounds, but he's dismissed speculation he's set to adopt a new stage persona to reflect his new figure.

He tells WENN, "So far so good, I'm Fat Joe. I'm fat at heart.

"Let me te...

Heavyweight rapper Fat Joe is cashing in on his love of food by launching a seafood restaurant in his native New York.

The Lean Back star has teamed up with chef Mark Thomas to open the Caribbean-inspired Express in the Bronx, the first in a chain of eateries. And Fat Joe is hoping to build on his food venture and take it to the small screen to share his favorite recipes with fans.

He says, "I'm working on a cooking show... Who else can you trust other than Fat Joe to tell you what food is good or not? Me and my guy Chef Mark - he's an incredible chef - we got that studio audience, we g...

July 21 is "National Junk Food Day." It's a day to commemorate Little Debbies, Tasty Cakes, and Ho Hos. It's a day we don't have to feel guilty for shoving our faces with Fritos, Doritos, and Cheetos.

In the world of celebrity gossip, it is also a day to point out some stars who have been in the spotlight due to their weight issues (like Val Kilmer above).

Jessica Simpson is no stranger to the tabloids following her every move and pointing out a tiny little roll here or a section of cellulite there. She was recently placed on the "List of Fat Celebrities" on the NY Post website and has be...

Incarcerated Lil Wayne has something to smile about while in jail - the rapper is much "funnier" now he's behind bars and sober, according to his hip-hop pal Fat Joe. The star is currently serving a year-long sentence in a New York prison after pleading guilty to gun possession charges in March.

However, prison life seems to have been a positive experience for the Lollipop hit-maker - because he can no longer get high on his preferred drink, promethazine-codeine syrup. The rapper famously quit the cough-syrup drink in preparation for his stint behind bars, and Fat Joe, who recently visite...

Fat Joe has been "officially cleared" over false allegations he sexually assaulted a woman following a concert on Sunday, according to the rapper's lawyer.

The Lean Back hit-maker was detained by cops in Madison, Wisconsin last weekend following a complaint from an unnamed woman who alleged she was inappropriately groped by the hip-hop star and his entourage. The female accuser claimed the alleged incident took place during a limo ride with Joe - real name Joseph Cartagena - and his pals following a gig in the city. The star was questioned by police and later released without charge, and ...

Fat Joe's lawyer has categorically denied the hip-hop star and his crew inappropriately groped a woman following a concert on Sunday.

The Lean Back rapper was detained by cops in Madison, Wisconsin last weekend following a complaint in the early hours of Monday from a woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted by Joe and his entourage. The unnamed female claimed she was the victim of "inappropriate touching" during a limo ride with Joe - real name Joseph Cartagena - and his pals following a gig in the city.

The star was released without charge after several hours of questioning, while...

Rapper Fat Joe has been questioned by police in Madison, Wisconsin, following allegations he and his entourage were involved in a sexual assault on Sunday.

A 33-year-old woman, whose identity has not been released, filed a police complaint in the early hours of Monday, claiming she had been travelling with the hip-hop star and his crew in their limo as they headed to a hotel following a gig in the city.

The female claims the ride soon turned into a nightmare for her, accusing the Lean Back hitmaker, real name Joseph Cartagena, and his friends of "inappropriate touching."

The police repor...

Rapper Fat Joe had to halt filming on his new music video on Friday after huge crowds in New York's Spanish Harlem district caused police to shut down the production.

The hip-hop star was shooting scenes for Hey Joe in his home town, with local fans coming out to join the rapper as extras in his promo. But the performance drew so many people; the set had to be closed 20 minutes into filming as cops disbanded the large groups of onlookers.

A number of video extras were searched by cops, resulting in the arrest of one person, reports BallerStatus.com.

- Click her...

50 Cent's weapon of choice is a 9 mm handgun - at least for his new third person shooter video game "Blood on the Sand." In a call with the hip hop star/actor/video game producer, Starpulse got the scoop on the rapper's battle with Rick Ross, his thoughts about how women are portrayed in his game, and much more!

Conceptually "Blood on the Sand" is very different from his first video game, "Bulletproof." Gamers play as 50 Cent, who performs for a war torn country and discovers his payment, a diamond skull, is stolen. 50 and G-Unit battle across two middle eastern countries to "unleash ...

Rapper Daddy Yankee has hit back at fellow Puerto Rican Fat Joe for criticizing his public endorsement of U.S. presidential nominee John McCain.

Fat Joe lashed out at Yankee last month, calling him a "sellout" for supporting the Republican Senator, who's competing against Democratic nominee Barack Obama in the race to the White House this November. The Lean Back hit-maker continued his tirade, challenging the reggaeton star to a debate, adding: "If he debates me about politics, he will never talk another word about a politician for the rest of his life."

However Yankee has refus...

Cash Money/Universal Motown Records multi-platinum recording artist Lil Wayne expands his dynasty with Tha Carter III. The new CD is the biggest release by far for 2008, selling over 1 Million copies it's first week, reigning #1 on Nielsen SoundScan, besting Mariah Carey's record-breaking release earlier this year. Not since 50 Cent's The Massacre in 2005 has an artist sold over 1 Million albums their first week. "This is truly a proud moment for the Cash Money family, says Cash Money co-founder Ronald 'Slim' Williams. "Lil Wayne is truly changing the game of hip-hop." Cash Money co-founder...

Making her stunning entrance in a dizzying cascade of piano and layered vocals, The Inc./Universal Motown Recording Artist Ashanti puts it all on the line in the powerfully soulful and grandly dramatic "The Way That I Love You," the first single and video from her upcoming album The Declaration.

The home truths of Ashanti's "The Way That I Love You" are drawing a loud "Amen" from the radio and video outlets that have supported her from day one of her multi-platinum career as an artist and songwriter. The track is the No. 1 most-added song at Urban-formatted radio in it's first week, wi...

Fat Joe has fired back at his rap rival 50 Cent by featuring the star and his G-Unit counterparts on the cover of his new mix tape - all wearing make-up. The digitally-altered image is set to appear on "Gay Unit Vol. 1," a compilation by Terror Squad affiliate DJ Suge White hosted by the crew's frontman Fat Joe.

In the CD artwork, 50 Cent - real name Curtis Jackson - is pictured in a tight embrace with Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo with lipstick smeared on their faces. Yayo, a former convict, is shown with an "I Miss Jail" tattoo on his shoulder and Banks is portrayed with a portrait of 50...

50 Cent has stepped up his feud with fellow rapper Fat Joe by posting a mock funeral for the star on the internet. The short film shows an American military funeral interspersed with clips of 50 Cent crying and paying tribute to the 37-year-old.

The In Da Club hit-maker - real name Curtis Jackson - is then seen revealing the real reason for the tape, pointing to the poor sales of Fat Joe's latest album The Elephant In The Room. Fat Joe's record sold 46,000 copies in its first week of release in the U.S., while 50 Cent released a spoof mix tape on his website the same week and scored o...

To coincide with the Grammy awards, Microsoft invited dozens of celebrities to play Rock Band while at the event's Style Studio. Xbox LIVE users were free to join the celebrities online and live the dream of playing in a band like Foo Fighters and The Roots as part of the Game with Fame program.

Among those that attended and shredded on Rock Band were Akon, Ali Hewson, Buckcherry, Daughtry, Dave Koz, Emerson Drive, Emily King, Fat Joe, John Legend, Lang Lang, Lil Mama, Miranda Lambert, Natasha Bedingfield, No Doubt, The Pussycat Dolls, The Roots, Ryan Shaw, Snoop Dogg, Solange Knowles,...

Rap superstar 50 Cent has denied kicking Paris Hilton offstage and reducing her to tears during a pre-Super Bowl concert - insisting he "ain't (sic) that heartless".

Hilton hosted the bash for 944 magazine in Scottsdale, Arizona and was reported to have been deeply upset when the rapper forced her out of the limelight at the party on Thursday.

But the hip-hop star and his band insist the reports are inaccurate - because they would never treat the socialite badly.

DJ Whoo Kid, who was on stage with 50 Cent at the event, tells MTV.com, "It's no way we would kick Paris Hilton of...

Fat Joe has fueled his rap feud with 50 Cent, by dubbing the superstar hip-hopper a coward. The bickering pair's rift deepened when 50 - real name Curtis Jackson - dubbed him "Fat Boy" and "Joey Crack" and rapped about leaving Joe's "brains on the floor" in the track I'm Leaving.

But Joe - real name Joseph Antonio Cartagena - isn't worried, claiming 50 Cent never follows through with his threats, pointing at his failure to take on another longtime rival Ja Rule.

He tells Complex.com, "He's got shot at by people who he knows who they are, and he doesn't do nothing about it. He sees...

Rapper Fat Joe has denied reports he owes the U.S government $150,000 in taxes. The heavyweight hip-hop star and his company Terror Squad Productions were accused of owing the New Jersey Treasury over $70,000 in back taxes - a total liability of close to $150,000 - in various media reports on Thursday.

His name also appeared on the list as an officer of Terror Squad Productions, with balances dated September 2007. However the star - real name Joseph Antonio Cartagena - denies he owes the cash. He tells AllHipHop.com, "I definitely pay my taxes. I'm straight up with it."

"The fir...

Atlantic Records bosses have confirmed rapper Lil' Kim has quit the label after more than 10 years on their books. The company has issued a statement making her departure official and insisting they parted on good terms, according to Allhiphop.com.

It reads, "We wish Lil' Kim the best of luck in all of her future endeavors."

Lil' Kim - real name Kimberly Jones - released all four of her previous albums on Atlantic and her forthcoming LP, which was due to hit shops in February has now been tentatively scheduled for April or May this year.

It had been rumored the hitmaker left ...

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is fighting to uphold a state law banning the sale of violent video games to underage kids as a gory new Conan game, based on the former action man's Conan The Barbarian movie, hits the market.

Teri Hatcher's ex-husband Jon Tenney will toast the red carpet with champagne at the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony on January 27. The actor is nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble In A Drama Series for TV show The Closer.

Lil' Kim quit Atlantic Records after a lengthy business relationship with the label, founded by...

Flo Rida's rap anthem "Low" continues to be America's new year anthem after claiming a fourth week at the top of the U.S. pop charts. The track is still keeping Billboard album chart-topper Alicia Keys from the number one spot - her "No One" hit stays put at number two on the new chart.

Timbaland's "Apologize", Chris Brown and T-Pain's "Kiss Kiss" and Fergie's "Clumsy" are all stuck at numbers three, four and five for a second week.

Brown scores a second top 10 hit at number six after his With You jumped up six spots from 12.

Rapper Fat Joe scores the new singles chart's hig...

(New York, NY) – KOCH Records is pleased to announce the release of a new collaboration album, The Co-Op, by acclaimed mix tape guru/HOT 97/Sirius Radio personality, DJ Envy and esteemed lyricist Red Café. The album will be released on September 25th, 2007 and features guest appearances from some of the biggest names in hip-hop including Fabolous, Fat Joe, Styles P and Sheek Louch, , Paul Wall, Nina Sky and many more.

The 1st single pair of singles off the new album will be "Dolla Bill" which features Fabolous and JD and "Things You Do" featuring Nina Sky.

DJ Envy is a two time J...

Taking Back Sunday announced today that the band will perform a string of headlining dates for Boost Mobile RockCorps (BMRC), a national youth volunteerism movement that harnesses the power of music to motivate young people to get involved in their communities. The upcoming concerts, which are free to anyone volunteering four hours of community service to season wrap concert at Radio City Music Hall.

"Communities are like gardens," notes lead singer Adam Lazzara when asked why they chose to get involved with BMRC. "Without upkeep and care, without maintenance, it is impossible for the...

Rapper Fat Joe has agreed to talk to Florida police to deny he was a potential witness to a fatal double shooting last Monday. The hitmaker was reportedly riding in the same black Cadillac Escalade as the two victims of the Memorial Day incident outside David's Cafe II in South Beach.

Last week, a police spokesman claimed Joe - real name Joe Cartagena - was an acquaintance of the two victims, Lessli Paz, 25, and Joey Navarro, 26, who both died shortly after the shooting. However, Fat Joe's lawyer Jeffrey Lichtman tells the New York Daily News his client saw nothing and that he called ...

Fat Joe has joined fellow rappers Snoop Dogg and T.I. in condemning those who are linking sexist hip-hop lyrics with the recent racist remarks made by radio talk show host Don Imus. The Lean Back star believes rap music is being used as a scapegoat in the fuss, and urges parents to take more responsibility in what they allow their children to listen too.

He tells MTV News, "I know that Don Imus did not disrespect those young ladies because of hip-hop music. I'm 99 per cent sure that he doesn't even listen to hip-hop like that. Everybody who's taking on hip-hop music are the same peopl...

Screen Media will release Hip Hop Life, a documentary featuring some of the country's top underground freestyle rappers as they face off in a battle royale for "Rhyme City Supremacy"--in stores April 3, 2007.

The documentary pitts Houston vs. Detroit. Detroit's toughest MC battle rappers, who have appeared on Showtime, VH-1 and MTV, face Houston's best street rappers, all on the verge of stardom themselves. Only one 'hood' will survive this intense verbal slaughterhouse and be crowned the ultimate MC Battle city.

This quest for Rhyme City Supremacy is uncensored, unpredictable a...

Screen Media will release Hip Hop Life, a documentary featuring some of the country's top underground freestyle rappers as they face off in a battle royale for "Rhyme City Supremacy"-in stores April 3, 2007.

The documentary pitts Houston vs. Detroit. Detroit's toughest MC battle rappers, who have appeared on Showtime, VH-1 and MTV, face Houston's best street rappers, all on the verge of stardom themselves. Only one 'hood' will survive this intense verbal slaughterhouse and be crowned the ultimate MC Battle city.

This quest for Rhyme City Supremacy is uncensored, unpredictable an...

In October, Justin Hawkins, lead singer of The Darkness, announced that he's leaving the band because he can't live the rock 'n' roll lifestyle again after completing rehab... Weird Al Yankovic's White & Nerdy becomes the parody singer's first ever top-ten hit... and legendary NYC nightclub CBGB, where bands like the Ramones, Talking Heads and Blondie got their start, closed; Patti Smith was the final act... Beck took things to the next level by releasing his latest album, The Information with sets of stickers so fans could create their own cover art; however, the revolutionary move prompte...