Fat Joe’s Yankees opener gets fierce fan backlash

On October 30, 2024By Littum

Who is the best rapper in New York? According to fans, not Fat Joe.

The Bronx, New York, appeared at Yankee Stadium for Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night.

While performing a medley of hits including “Lean Back,” “All the Way Up” and the Ja Rule number “New York,” the Grammy-nominated rapper delivered the pre-game performance after Ice Cube performed at the Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles for Game 2. But the fans didn’t think the performances were on a level playing field.

It also doesn’t help that the Dodgers are leading the Yankees 3-0, leaving the door open for some hilarious reactions to the detriment of both New York music and baseball.

“They made Fat Joe pinch run for the Yankees,” one user wrote X.

Dodgers on the brink of World Series victory after going up 3-0 on the Yankees

Aaron Judges’ bat remained icy, and the Dodgers took advantage as they now sit one win away from the franchise’s eighth World Series title.

Sports pulse

“Yankees fans watching Fat Joe singlehandedly kill Yankee Stadium’s aura,” another captioned a meme of angry sports fans.

Fox Sports commentator and former Boston Red Sox hitter David Ortiz said he could feel the lack of enthusiasm in the stadium.

“Even when Fat Joe came out, the body language from the fans was just heck,” he said in the air. “I was like, ‘What’s going on here? Are we already at a funeral?'”

Some fans wondered if Brooklyn, New York native rapper Jay-Z was busy. Other fan reactions on social media were brutal.

“Dear New York, Fat Joe is not Ice Cube. Sincerely the rest of us,” an X user wrote.

“Fat Joe opening up for the Yankees might be one of the worst things I’ve ever witnessed,” wrote another person.

“I’m not a hater BUT Fat Joe opening up for the Yankees might be one of the worst things I’ve ever seen,” another X user wrote. “I think they got him on sale for 50% off.”

“Fuck whoever the Yankees thought it was a good idea to make Fat Joe do what it was,” a sports show host responded. “I’m literally speechless … We don’t even deserve to win after that performance. George Steinbrenner would ban Fat Joe from Yankee Stadium after that.”

Steinbrenner is the late former owner of the Yankees.

His performance may not have been on par with New Yorkers, but he certainly dressed the part.

“That man, Fat Joe on the mound in Tims. I know those off-camera groundskeepers are having a heart attack,” wrote comedian Roy Woods Jr.

This story has been updated with additional information.