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Fat Joe is one the greatest rappers to come out of the Bronx. He encapsulates the true epitome of East Coast Hip Hop with his hard lyrics and sound. However, Fat Joe would not be where he is today without Big Punisher.

Big Punisher also known as Big Pun, is one of the all time great hip hop artists and a legend in the Bronx as exemplified by the many murals that adorn the sides of city building throughout the borough of the Bronx. He routinely appears on the lists of the greatest rappers of all time.

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Fat Joe and Big Pun created the Terror Squad. A hip hop collective which included rappers and producers such as hip hop legend Remy Ma.

Together they achieved immense success. Big Pun’s debut Capital Punishment, released in 1998, sold over three million copies and went triple platinum. It included hits such as “Still Not a Player” and “Twinz”

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While Fat Joe was an integral part of Big Pun’s success, Pun was the frontman of the collective. Pun’s visibility shed light on his association to Fat Joe that thrust him into mainstream audiences.

Big Pun’s success elevated the Terror Squad from an underground movement to mainstream notoriety.

While Fat Joe is talented and successful in his own right, he cannot match the skills and ability of Big Pun.

Many rappers of Latino descent sight Big Pun as an influence on their music. Pun’s influence extends into the Spanish language markets with Reggaeton legends and pioneers Daddy Yankee and Nicky Jam who have noted his influence on their music.

Following Big Pun’s death in 2000, Fat Joe and the Terror Squad achieved even greater hits with the 2004 hit “Lean Back.” The song was a global smash and rose to number 1 on the Billboard hot 100.

While Pun has long since passed, Fat Joe’s and the Terror Squad’s elevated positions would not have been possible without him.

For a more in-depth look at his post check out Latinos en Music on Soundcloud.