Tyrone Blackburn, 40, an attorney representing rapper Fat Joe’s former hype man, was arrested Wednesday morning on suspicion of assault in New York City, police confirmed. Blackburn allegedly struck a process server with his vehicle during ongoing legal disputes involving Fat Joe and his former hype man Terrance “T.A.” Dixon.
The conflict escalated after Dixon and Blackburn sent Fat Joe, whose real name is Joseph Antonio Cartagena, a written demand letter on March 23 claiming compensation for Dixon’s work as a ghostwriter and uncredited vocalist on some of Fat Joe’s songs.
When Fat Joe did not respond, Blackburn and Dixon issued a follow-up demand letter on April 21 threatening a lawsuit alleging unpaid wages alongside serious accusations including rape, forced labor, sex trafficking, and fraud — allegations Fat Joe’s attorney Joe Tacopina vehemently denied as “false and outrageous.”
In April, Fat Joe filed a lawsuit against Dixon and Blackburn accusing them of extortion, defamation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. According to Tacopina, Blackburn’s arrest followed after he allegedly used his vehicle to hit a process server attempting to deliver legal documents.
A warrant for Blackburn’s arrest was issued on Thursday. Meanwhile, Blackburn and Dixon filed a $20 million federal lawsuit against Fat Joe alleging coercion into sexual acts, denial of songwriting credits, and threats — claims Tacopina dismissed as fabrications meant to harm the rapper’s reputation.
Tacopina said, “Blackburn is an embarrassment to the legal profession, using the court system to shield his extortion tactics. This arrest is just the first step toward clearing my client’s name and bringing Blackburn to justice.”
Blackburn has represented other high-profile clients, including filing a sexual harassment lawsuit in February 2024 on behalf of producer Lil Rodney against Sean “Diddy” Combs, which Combs’ lawyers have denied.
