Fat Joe Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree from Lehman College

The "All the Way Up" rap icon also delivered a speech at the Bronx school's commencement ceremony on Thursday

Hip-hop icon Fat Joe now has a new accolade to add to his legacy.

On Thursday, May 30, the “All the Way Up” rap star, 53, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Lehman College, recognizing “his ongoing commitment to uplifting the Bronx community and his profound impact on hip-hop culture,” according to the school.

The New York native, born Joseph Cartagena, attended the school’s 56th annual commencement ceremony as a special guest and delivered an impassioned speech to the graduating class of 2024 about his career rise and how it led to his latest honor.

“I could’ve been a doctor, but I didn’t have the patients,” he began. “Now they gave me a doctorate, and I give power to the patience.”

Referencing his iconic phrase, “Yesterday’s price is not today’s price,” the “Lean Back” rapper went on to share with students how his humble beginnings still paved the way for monumental success in music and beyond.

“People try to block your blessings at every corner, everywhere you went,” Fat Joe continued. “Sometimes you ask God, ‘Why me, God? Why is this happening to me?’ But if you didn’t die, it’s truly a blessing ‘cause you’re learning from the lessons, so someday in the future, you could apply that to your life and your success.”

He added, “You're just beginning your lives... Some of you been around, but I'm telling you, success never stops. There is no age limit to being successful."

Related: Fat Joe Says He's Lied in '95 Percent' of His Songs: 'I'm a Family Man'

The hip-hop legend then reflected on how people used to advise him to “save [his] money” in his early career days because “rappers don’t make it this long.” “Now I’m more successful than I’ve ever been in my life,” he declared.

Celebrating his doctorate on Instagram the next day, Fat Joe posted photos of himself wearing his graduation regalia, captioned, “Still!!!!! Unbelievable God is the greatest 🙏🏽❤️.”

Related: Fat Joe Honors Son Joey, 33, on World Autism Awareness Day: 'This One's For You'

As evidenced by his new doctorate degree, Fat Joe has used his hip-hop influence throughout his decades-long career to give back to not only his community but also others far and wide. Earlier this month, he partnered up with Food For the Poor and fellow rapper Zoey Dollaz to launch a relief fund for Haiti’s humanitarian crisis.

The Terror Squad artist also extended his philanthropic efforts to the ongoing fight for healthcare price transparency in the U.S. by supporting a Power to the Patients event held in Washington D.C. in March.

The rapper last released a single with AZ, “How We Get It,” in November 2023, which appeared on the latter’s Truth Be Told album.

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