Biography & Early Wealth Journey

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Getty Images

In 1997, Eminem placed second in the Rap Olympics, a battle rap competition that was held in Los Angeles. Though Em didn't win the competition, an Interscope Records employee sent a copy of Eminem's latest project at the time, the Slim Shady EP, to Interscope CEO Jimmy Iovine. Iovine played the EP for Dr. Dre, founder of Aftermath Entertainment. As a result of hearing the EP, Dre immediately wanted to work with Eminem. They proceeded to work together on the highly successful Slim Shady LP, which released in February 1999, and went triple platinum by the end of the year. The duo would proceed to create platinum album after platinum album together, and the rest is history.

But back to the guy who whiffed SIX TIMES on the chance to sign Eminem. The person in question? None other than Fat Joe (real name Joseph Antonio Cartagena). Fat Joe revealed the fact in a recent interview, when he said:

Primary Income Streams & Multi-Million Contracts

"I got so many regrets… The biggest is that Eminem gave me so many demos – six different times he approached me and I didn't sign him. Shame on me."

Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images

Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images

Fat Joe has carved out a pretty decent career for himself, so I doubt that he'll be crying poor anytime soon. With that being said, though, he likely lost out on tens of millions of dollars with his move. One can argue that Eminem may not have been as successful without a legendary producer like Dr. Dre, but one thing is for certain; Fat Joe probably kicks himself every single time he hears an Eminem song come on the radio.