The intersection of Fordham Road and Grand Concourse in the Bronx, NY was renamed to Big Pun Plaza on March 22, 2021. The street has been renamed after the late Bronx native and rapper, Christopher Lee Rios aka Big Pun. Big Pun was the Latino hip hop artist who was discovered by Fat Joe, affectionately known as Joe’s little brother. So why wasn’t Pun’s “Big brother,” Fat Joe at the renaming ceremony?
Fat Joe explains on Instagram Live, addressing rumors surrounding his absence. He made it very clear that the reason had nothing to do with his feelings for Big Pun, rapper stated,
“We love Pun, til the day we die we represent Big Pun! You can’t tell me how I love my brother. I love him to death and we was there, we were there in spirit … and when I go to NY I will take a picture under Big Pun Plaza, that’s my brother.”
So what reason did Fat Joe give for not attending in person? If you recall, back in 2014, Fat Joe was sued by the widow of Big Pun. The lawsuit claimed that widow was not paid royalties owed by Fat Joe and she sued him for over $1,000,000.
Fat Joe gave the specific reason for him not attending stating,
“If you don’t have good things to say about somebody, I rather you not say it … so me, I could not go over there because there were people over there that I just ain’t feeling and I ain’t never going to feel …. yo bro, I will never stand beside these people, ever in life. So I’m not standing beside nobody talking about let’s do it for Pun, no I’m not.”
We can only assume that he was speaking directly to the widow of Pun when he later stated, “ When you slander me, slander my word and make me look crazy for two decades in the hood I can not stand next to you.” As Joe stated on the Instagram Live, his word is his bond and his actions proved exactly that with his absence. Life is too short to be fake, although the circumstances are unfortunate, authenticity can always be respected.
Watch the Instagram Live clip below.
