Fat Ju

Blending Panamanian roots with PG County grit, Fat Ju crafts a melodic yet hard-hitting trap identity. In this interview, he opens up about authenticity, culture, growth, and the global vision behind “Hot (Quente).”

You’re from PG County but have strong Panamanian roots — how do those two worlds collide in your music, especially on a track like “Hot (Quente)”?

The two worlds collide in my music because my mom is from Panama and my dad is from Maryland, so that gives me a PG County Panamanian sound, like growing up in Maryland is like it’s not hard, but it’s not easy.

Your sound has been described as “melodic trap with unfiltered grit.” How did you find that balance between melody and raw street energy?

Having a Panamanian mom, the culture is different than USA Typical Living, but with my dad being from Maryland, I was able to learn the ways of American street rap culture, and my mom used to listen to gospel, and we also went to church every Sunday, so that’s where my melody comes from.

“Hot (Quente)” feels like a global record — gritty yet international. What inspired you to bring Latin undertones into the DMV trap sound?

It’s all in the way I was raised and what I’ve been through. I had to help my mom also at a young age, my dad died, so making money was the move… So, all you got is what you are. I just embraced what I am, just as the saying goes, sticking to the drawing board and my roots.

You’ve worked with 1111CR3W and collaborated with artists like Rarri. How has that network influenced your growth and direction as an artist?

My network and influence have grown since working with Rarri. It gave me the courage and confidence to believe in myself when it comes to music because I’m released this song where Rarri and Fernando even enjoyed it and that was literally my first industry feature so I’m looking forward to getting plenty more and also happy that Fernando is my manager and he’s also keeping me up-to-date with industry connections and timeline to be in the right direction of and artist.

Your lyrics carry a sense of lived experience — nothing feels fabricated. How important is authenticity to your creative process and storytelling?

Authenticity is important in my creative process. The storytelling is very important because I feel like when you make your view and you connect with the people, you don’t wanna connect all lies. I basically put my life and what I’ve been doing what I’m living and also my beliefs into my music and I feel like that’s the best way to express yourself if you don’t wanna lie in depression so if you wanna pick up the people and make sure that we all on the same level and we’re all connecting all along all safe level .

You’ve had momentum with records like “Homie” and now “Hot (Quente).” What’s next for Fat Ju — what should listeners expect as you continue to shape your lane?

The listeners can expect more interviews like this. Also, podcasts, a new track, Red beam dropping soon, dropping a new track at a soccer championship game, and magazine cover, and an article. Also launching my new website and shows, make sure y’all come out.

https://linktr.ee/jutcr12