He’s a jolly holiday visitor, loaded with presents for an early Christmas delivery to the Bronx: Rapper Fat Joe.
The “Lean Back” star made Tuesday a whole lot merrier for students at P.S. 146 by personally bestowing 20 Microsoft desktop computers on the city school in his home borough.
“As long as you get your education and you stay focused, you can do anything,” said the rapper, whose real name is Joseph Cartagena, in a speech to third, fourth and fifth graders.
“We don’t want you to just be smart,” he continued. “We want you to be brilliant. We want you to be geniuses.”
The kids were thrilled by the sight of the local hero bearing gifts. The computers will arrive next month in a special “learning corner” named after Joe’s late sister, Lisa.
“It’s kind of a miracle,” said Hasan Mothana, 10, a fifth grader. “I love his songs and his raps. It’s so awesome, I listen to (them) every day.”
Fat Joe, 46, recalled how the Morrisania neighborhood had changed for the better since he was in school.
“It was like gladiator school when I grew up — definitely looks like it changed for the better,” he said. “The neighborhood is one million times better and I happen to know it’s going to get even better.”
Fat Joe was joined by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz and school principal Ronald Laurent.
“He is a big guy with a big heart,” Diaz told the kids. “He could be anywhere, all over the world, and yet … he’s here to be with you guys here at P.S. 146.”
The hip hop star said he wishes there was more he could do for the upcoming generation of kids in the Bronx.
“Once you achieve a level of success … you learn, something tells you, man this ain’t even for you,” he said. “You got to share with the people. You got to inspire the people.”
