Fat Joe is facing a $20 million lawsuit from his former hype man, Terrance “T.A.” Dixon, who accuses the Bronx rapper of years of exploitation, abuse, and psychological manipulation.
Filed in federal court this week, the explosive suit alleges that Joe, real name Joseph Cartagena, subjected Dixon to “coercive labor exploitation, financial fraud, sexual manipulation, violent intimidation, and psychological coercion” over 16 years. Dixon says that, as well as being a hype man, he contributed lyrics and background vocals to songs like “Congratulations,” “Ice Cream,” and “Money Over B—hes,” yet he was never credited or paid fairly.
The complaint also claims Dixon was forced into “humiliating situations,” including thousands of coerced sex acts under threat of being abandoned in foreign countries.
Dixon says that he “personally witnessed [Fat Joe] engage in sexual relations with children who were fifteen and sixteen years old,” including a 16-year-old Dominican girl in New York, who “in exchange for cash, clothing, and payment of her cell phone bill … would [perform] oral sex and other sexual acts” on the rapper.
Dixon alleges that Minor Doe 2 is a Caucasian female and not a United States citizen and that the rapper “began having sexual relations with Minor Doe 2 when she was 15 years old after a concert overseas. Defendant flew Minor Doe 2 to New York City and Miami, Florida, on multiple occasions. Due to Minor Doe 2’s body being adolescent and not fully formed, Defendant paid for her to get a Brazilian Butt Lift. Minor Doe 2 eventually left Defendant and is now married to a professional athlete.”
Minor Doe 3 is reportedly a Latina female who “met the defendant when she was 15 years old, turning 16.”
Dixon shockingly claims that Fat Joe “was in love with Minor Doe 3. He even contemplated leaving his wife. The Defendant paid all Minor Doe 3’s bills and even took her overseas to his tour stops. He brought her to Florida and would put her up in a condo he rented a few blocks from his house with his wife. In a recorded conversation, Minor Doe 3 and her 15-year-old cousin describe in detail to Plaintiff how ‘inappropriate’ it was for Defendant, who was in his late 30s at the time, to be fawning over children.”
Dixon argues that while Fat Joe rose to fame with hits like “What’s Luv?”, his own creative work was suppressed and ultimately erased. He is seeking $20 million in damages.