Fat Joe Hit With $20M Lawsuit By Ex-Hypeman T.A. Dixon

Terrance “T.A.” Dixon, longtime hype man for Fat Joe, has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the Bronx rapper of an array of egregious misconduct — including underage sexual exploitation, coercion, financial fraud, and violent intimidation. The suit comes after the “Lean Back” rapper filed a lawsuit against Dixon in April for extortion after the defendant publicly accused Joe of being a “pedophile” and cheating on his wife with reality TV star Erica Mena.

According to Variety, the 157-page complaint, filed Thursday (June 20) in New York, outlines years of alleged abuse and manipulation that Dixon says unfolded behind the scenes while he supported Fat Joe on and off stage.

Dixon is seeking $20,000,000 in damages, asserting that his former boss — real name, Joseph Antonio Cartagena — engaged in “coercive labor exploitation, financial fraud, sexual manipulation, violent intimidation, and psychological coercion.” The suit alleges that despite his input as a lyricist, vocalist, and performer on tracks like “Congratulations,” “Ice Cream,” and “Money Over Bi**hes,” Dixon was uncredited and unpaid.

Even more disturbing are Dixon’s claims that Fat Joe engaged in sexual activity with underage girls, referencing three specific Jane Does — one of whom was allegedly flown to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic in exchange for cash, clothes, and phone bills.

The suit claims that Dixon “personally witnessed [Fat Joe] engage in sexual relations with children who were fifteen and sixteen years old.” According to the legal documents, Minor Doe 2 is described as a Caucasian female and a non-U.S. citizen who allegedly began a sexual relationship with the defendant at age 15 following a concert overseas. The suit claims Fat Joe flew her to New York City and Miami on multiple occasions.

The documents further allege that due to Minor Doe 2’s adolescent and undeveloped body, the defendant paid for her to undergo a Brazilian Butt Lift. Allegedly, she eventually cut ties with him and is now reportedly married to a professional athlete. Meanwhile, Minor Doe 3 is described as a Latina female who allegedly met the defendant when she was 15, approaching her 16th birthday.

According to Dixon’s lawsuit, Joe was allegedly infatuated with Minor Doe 3 to the point of considering leaving his wife. The filing claims he covered all of her expenses, flew her out to various tour stops overseas, and even set her up in a Florida condo just blocks away from the home he shared with his wife. In a recorded conversation cited in the complaint, Minor Doe 3 and her then-15-year-old cousin reportedly described to Dixon how disturbing and inappropriate it was for Joe to allegedly have been fixated on underage girls.

The lawsuit includes accusations of orchestrated orgies, coerced sexual acts under surveillance, and threats of retaliation to witnesses — including alleged messages like “You love your family, right?” and “We let you live.” Dixon is represented by Tyrone Blackburn, the same attorney leading civil litigation against Sean “Diddy” Combs.

In response, Fat Joe’s attorney Joe Tacopina vehemently denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit an “act of retaliation” and part of a coordinated attempt to extort the rapper. Tacopina says law enforcement is already aware of the “extortionate demand” and vowed to hold Dixon and Blackburn accountable. “The allegations against Mr. Cartagena are complete fabrications — lies intended to damage his reputation and force a settlement through public pressure,” Tacopina stated. “Mr. Cartagena will not be intimidated.”

The suit comes just months after Fat Joe sued Dixon in April, claiming the former hypeman defamed him online and tried to shake him down for a settlement. According to Variety, Dixon thinks his lawsuit is the only way to hold the rapper accountable, saying, “This is the right way to fight Joe — through the system. You can’t fight him no other way. Joe think he’s a god. Joe thinks he’s untouchable.”