Fat Joe is set to be awarded the key to New York City, but it appears not everybody is happy about the decision.
The Terror Squad legend posted a video on Instagram on Wednesday (August 7) announcing that he will receive the honor on August 20 in Orchard Beach in his backyard of the Bronx.
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Joey Crack is also scheduled to perform a free concert at the celebratory event, which begins at 6 p.m. (with doors opening an hour earlier).
In a follow-up video, Joe explained that his ceremonial key has already been met with some pushback, despite his status as a New York rap legend and philanthropist.
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“I get the key to the city [on] the 20th and, boy, was that a hard one. Hip Hop got a black eye,” he said. “The mayor and his crew, his right-hand girl, got me the key to the city. Everybody was a little upset.
“But I don’t know another guy who keeps it realer with the streets of New York than Fat Joe, who feeds more people, opens more businesses. I don’t know what to tell you guys.”
The “Lean Back” rapper didn’t specify who was upset with him being awarded the key to the city.
Fat Joe isn’t the only Hip Hop figure who has ruffled feathers with a ceremonial key to New York City of late.
Mayor Eric Adams faced widespread calls earlier this summer to revoke Diddy’s key to the city, which he presented to him just last year, after a video of him brutally assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie in 2016 leaked.
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After condeming the attack and discussing the matter with his team, Adams rescinded the honor in June, making Puffy the first person to ever lose a key to NYC.
In a letter to the Bad Boy boss dated June 4, the mayor wrote: “Like many people, I was deeply disturbed by recent footage of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs assaulting his then partner.
“I strongly condemn these actions and stand in solidarity with all survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. Our city has worked tirelessly to make sure survivors are heard and seen by our administrators.”
He continued: “The Key to the City of New York is presented to individuals whose service to the public and the common good rises to the highest level of achievement, and who act as a model for fellow and future New Yorkers.
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“After internal deliberations, the Key to the City of New York committee recommend nullifying and rescinding Mr. Combs’ key.”
According to TMZ, Diddy returned said key six days later on June 10.
