Fat Joe is being sued for exploitation and abuse by his longtime hypeman for $20 million (£15 million).
Terrance 'TA' Dixon filed a federal lawsuit in New York on Thursday alleging years of abuse and exploitation by the hip-hop star, whose real name is Joseph Antonio Cartagena.
In the lawsuit, Dixon accuses Fat Joe of coercive labour exploitation, financial fraud, sexual manipulation, violent intimidation and psychological coercion.
He claims that despite contributing heavily to the rapper's creative success - including work as a lyricist and background vocalist on songs including Congratulations and Ice Cream - his efforts were systematically erased while the rapper and his associates gained fame and fortune.
Dixon is seeking up to $20 million (£15 million) in damages.
The lawsuit outlines disturbing allegations, including sexual misconduct and coercion, some of which involve minors.
Dixon says that over his 16-year tenure with Fat Joe, he was repeatedly subjected to dehumanising and threatening conditions, including being forced into sexual acts under surveillance and fear of being abandoned overseas.
The suit paints a picture of a toxic and abusive power dynamic, with Dixon stating he was coerced into more than 4000 sexual acts to keep his job.
Dixon also claimed that Fat Joe and his associates used veiled death threats and intimidation tactics to silence him.
Fat Joe is represented by celebrity criminal attorney Joe Tacopina, who has defended A$AP Rocky, Donald Trump and Michael Jackson.
