Rapper Fat Joe has expressed gratitude to Elephant Man and Jamaican influence for the success of his 2004 chart-topper, ‘Lean Back’, which also featured Remy Ma and the Terror Squad.
In a recent appearance on The Breakfast Club with hosts Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy, Fat Joe delved into the inspiration behind the iconic dance anthem. He shared, “I study Missy how she did songs around that time, and really, the whole reggae movement where they was like ‘Signal the plane’. They was rocking with all of that, the Elephant Man and all them. And so I was like, I got to do like the Jamaicans; they’re making these songs that everybody’s doing the dance to. So that was really the influence to ‘Lean Back’.”
Additionally, not only was the song inspired by Jamaican rhythms, but the famous ‘Lean Back’ dance also seemed to have been influenced by Elephant Man’s popular ‘Rock Away’ dance, highlighting the deep-rooted connection between the two artists.
Dancehall artist Elephant Man, shared this revelation on his Instagram, captioning, “The contribution of Elephant Man is undeniable.”
Jamaican music and culture have long influenced international megastars like Beyonce, Drake, Rihanna, and Nicki Minaj in their artistry, spanning across music, dance, and fashion.
For those eager to hear Fat Joe’s words firsthand, click ‘play’ below to listen to the revealing interview segment from The Breakfast Club.
Check out the breakfast club interview below
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