Bronx-born rapper Fat Joe brought his New York pride to Yankee Stadium on Monday night, performing ahead of Game 3 of the World Series. Yankees fans were hoping the “Lean Back” rapper might bring a stroke of luck to their team, which faced a challenging series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Dressed in a Yankees varsity jacket and Timberland boots, Fat Joe stepped up to energize the crowd with some of his most popular hits, including “Lean Back,” “New York” with Ja Rule, and “All the Way Up.”
Despite the excitement surrounding a New York icon performing for the Yankees, fan reactions were mixed. David Ortiz, former Red Sox player and now Fox Sports analyst, commented on the stadium’s atmosphere during the performance, saying, “Even when Fat Joe came out, the body language from the fans was like, ‘Damn! What’s going on here? Are we in a funeral already?’” Many fans seemed unenthused, with some remaining seated throughout the performance.
Fans Speak Out on Social Media About Fat Joe
After the performance, social media exploded with fans questioning the choice of artist. Some lamented that while Los Angeles had the legendary Ice Cube perform, New York’s answer was Fat Joe. One fan wrote, “LA got Ice Cube, we got Fat Joe. Just give the Dodgers the trophy already, man.” Another tweeted, “Fat Joe opening up for the Yankees might be one of the worst things I’ve ever witnessed.” The criticism was sharp, with fans mocking everything from Joe’s choice of lyrics to his Timberlands on the pitcher’s mound.
Not everyone was disappointed, though. A few fans expressed their appreciation for the rapper, praising him for representing the Bronx and New York City. “BIG Bronx showed up!” one fan posted on Instagram, showing pride in the rapper’s hometown loyalty. Another wrote, “We won no matter the outcome as far as I’m concerned @fatjoe.”
Unfortunately for Fat Joe and Yankees fans, the rapper’s performance didn’t bring the luck they were hoping for. The Yankees ultimately fell 4-2 to the Dodgers, deepening their series deficit to 0-3. Game 4 takes place tonight, with fans hoping the team can stave off elimination and avoid a sweep by the Dodgers.