In a shocking turn of events, Terrance “T.A.” Dixon, who previously served as the hypeman for renowned rapper Fat Joe, has filed a significant lawsuit in federal court against the artist on Thursday. In this explosive legal document, Dixon accuses Fat Joe, whose real name is Joseph Antonio Cartagena, of engaging in a range of serious offenses including coercive labor exploitation, financial fraud, sexual manipulation, violent intimidation, and psychological coercion. According to Dixon, the rapper accumulated his wealth and fame by actively suppressing, silencing, and erasing Dixon's substantial creative, artistic, and commercial contributions, which he argues were essential to Fat Joe’s professional success and personal branding. As a result of these alleged abuses, Dixon is seeking up to $20 million in damages.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, is a lengthy 157 pages and contains numerous disturbing allegations surrounding Fat Joe's purported sexual relations with women, including minors. The first page of the complaint includes a trigger warning, underscoring the serious nature of the claims contained within.

Dixon served as Fat Joe's hypeman for an impressive 16 years, a role that is common in the hip-hop industry, where an artist’s hypeman helps energize the audience during performances. Moreover, Dixon contributed as a lyricist and background vocalist on some of Fat Joe's biggest hits, such as “Congratulations,” “Ice Cream,” and “Money Over Bitches.” Given his long tenure, Dixon claims he had an unparalleled view of the rapper's off-stage lifestyle and behavior, which he alleges were deeply troubling.

Representing Dixon is Tyrone Blackburn, who is gaining attention for his role in another high-profile case against Sean “Diddy” Combs. In February 2024, Blackburn filed a lawsuit on behalf of a Diddy accuser, alleging multiple counts of sexual assault and harassment. Just a month later, the Department of Homeland Security conducted raids at Combs’ residences in Los Angeles and Miami, highlighting the seriousness of such cases in the entertainment industry.

Within the complaint, Dixon recounts distressing experiences where he was allegedly forced into “humiliating situations,” including performing sexual acts under duress and constant surveillance. He claims that failure to comply with these demands resulted in threats of abandonment in foreign countries. By his own estimation, Dixon alleges that he was coerced into participating in over 4,000 sexual acts to maintain his position within Fat Joe’s circle.

Perhaps the most alarming allegations in the suit involve claims of Fat Joe's sexual relations with minors. Dixon asserts that he personally witnessed the rapper engaging in sexual acts with girls as young as 15 and 16 years old. The complaint details incidents in which a 16-year-old Dominican girl was allegedly paid for sexual services, and cites other minors who were brought to various locations, including New York City and Miami, under troubling circumstances. One of the minors, who is now married to a professional athlete, reportedly had her body altered through a Brazilian Butt Lift that Fat Joe financed.

The legal action also names Pete “Pistol Pete” Torres and Richard “Rich Player” Jospitre as defendants, describing them as key associates in Fat Joe’s so-called “criminal enterprise.” The lawsuit accuses them of civil violations related to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), and other serious claims under New York and Florida law. These allegations encompass unjust enrichment, quantum meruit, fraudulent concealment, and money laundering.

Additionally, the lawsuit names Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, claiming that the company knowingly participated in manipulating Dixon’s authorship rights and royalty interests. It is alleged that Roc Nation also sought to intimidate and obstruct Dixon's legitimate claims against Fat Joe and his associates.

The complaint further outlines accusations of deliberate tax fraud schemes allegedly enacted by the defendants to obscure wage theft, inflate Dixon’s tax liabilities, and expose him to unwarranted audits and penalties. A whistleblower accountant has come forward to support these claims, bolstered by recorded calls that shed light on the alleged misconduct.

This lawsuit follows an earlier legal action initiated by Fat Joe against Dixon, where the rapper accused him of slander on social media, specifically related to claims of inappropriate interactions with a minor. Fat Joe's lawsuit also implicated Dixon's attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, asserting that the two conspired to extort him for a settlement.

Dixon expressed his determination to see justice served, stating, “This is the right way to fight Joe — through the system. You can’t fight him any other way.” He criticized Fat Joe, suggesting that the rapper views himself as untouchable and above the law.

In his complaint, Dixon elaborates on the extensive sexual coercion and psychological control he allegedly endured, which included being forced into degrading sexual performances while being filmed and monitored by Fat Joe and his entourage. These actions were not isolated incidents, he claims, but part of a broader culture of dominance and humiliation perpetuated by Fat Joe and his associates across multiple tour locations worldwide.

Fat Joe is being represented by high-profile attorney Joe Tacopina, who has a history of defending various celebrities in notable legal matters. Variety has made an effort to contact Tacopina for comments regarding the ongoing lawsuit.

Amidst his celebrity status, which has connected him with influential political figures such as Kamala Harris, Fat Joe has faced scrutiny before. In 2010, he and his entourage were questioned following allegations of a sexual assault incident after a performance in Wisconsin. At that time, his attorney dismissed the allegations, branding the accuser as a “pretender groupie” attempting to exploit the situation for financial gain.