Fat Joe discussed race and history with Hot 97’s Ebro Darden this week, particularly as it relates to Black people and Latinos.
The topic centered on whether Latinos from the Caribbean are Black, which Joe said they are. It’s a subject that Cardi B discussed back in June, and the “Bodak Yellow” artist said she considers herself a black person.
Joe also talked about music during his interview, and he said all of it descends from the Motherland.
“All the music is African,” he explained. “Brazilian music, Dominican music, Spanish drums, but you right even in Puerto Rico when you go to the Caribbean.”
“Alright, let’s speak about Latinos not being Black,” Joe added. “Latinos are Black. In Cuba, at one time, there was eight million Cubans. Five million, unfortunately, were slaves. Three million were actual Cubans, and they integrated and had babies.”
“Same thing with Puerto Rico when you go to Loíza. You talk about Santeria, that came from the Motherland Africa,” he went on. “Sometimes, Latinos might even identify themselves with African and Black culture more than Black people. This ain’t no crazy thing. Fat Joe ain’t on crack. He know what he talking about.”
“Pure facts,” someone wrote afterwards on Instagram.
“My family is from Panama,” another person commented. “Yes we are Black. Those that mixed with the natives and the Spaniards skin got lighter but the mix of the cultures are definitely there. Silly for Afro Caribbeans and Afro Latinos with Afros to say they are not Black.”
“Saying your Black simply means your mixed with African ancestry,” that person added. “Only an uneducated person would say I am not with Africa,” that person continued. “Skin color alone does not make you Black.”
