Many fat rappers are working hard to live a healthier life, especially since the hip-hop culture has long moved away from weight gain as a sign of wealth and riches. Being “big” seemed to go hand in hand with the hip-hop culture of the 1990s. It used to be a sign of wealth and the good life which most rappers sang about, hence a lot of rappers adopted the style of being big as much as they could.
In recent years, there has been a massive shift away from the fat style which had led to the death of some fat rappers like Big Pun. However, gaining weight is easier than shedding it, a lot of work is required and most people don’t just have the stomach for it. Hence, while some people successfully make the move to the healthy side, others try but are still considered to be on the big side. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite rappers who are plus-sized or were back in the day and how much they weigh now.
Fat Rappers and How Much They Weigh
1. Jelly Roll
- Date of Birth: January 28, 1976
- Age: 48 Years Old
- Weight: 235 lbs
- Height: 6 ft 2 inches
- Real Name: Jason Bradley DeFord
Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord on December 4, 1986, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter known for his blend of country, rock, and hip-hop influences. Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, he gained recognition for his emotional and autobiographical lyrics that often touch on themes of addiction, mental health, and personal struggles. With a unique musical style that bridges genres, Jelly Roll has amassed a dedicated fanbase, releasing a series of albums and mixtapes that showcase his introspective storytelling and relatable content, ultimately solidifying his presence in the independent music scene.
He earned the nickname Jelly Roll from his teenage years because of his size and his love for food. Speaking about the nickname as an adult, he said he tried to grow into the name by getting bigger with age. He achieved his current size in 2016 and has worked to maintain it and not get bigger. Before 2016, he was at his biggest and weighed around 450 pounds. During this time, he spent a lot of time at a waffle house which did not help his weight in any way.
By 2017, when he was engaged in a legal battle with Waffle House, he lost weight and looked trim. However, he could not maintain it and soon gained back everything he lost by 2020. In 2021, he got back on the healthy life bandwagon and has lost weight considerably since then even though he is still considered to be big.
2. Rod Wave
- Date of Birth: August 27, 1998
- Age: 25 Years Old
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Height: 5 ft 6 inches
- Real Name:Rodarius Marcell Green
Rod Wave is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter known for his emotionally charged and introspective music. Born on August 27, 1998, in St. Petersburg, Florida, his music often delves into personal struggles, mental health, and overcoming adversity. Combining elements of hip-hop, R&B, and soul, Rod gained significant attention with his heartfelt tracks and distinctive melodic style, showcased in songs like “Heart On Ice” and “Rags2Riches.” His relatable lyrics and soulful delivery have earned him a dedicated fanbase and commercial success, making him a prominent figure in the contemporary rap scene.
Rod Wave has been open about his struggles with weight and the health issues that have come with it. He attributed his weight gain to a combination of factors, including emotional eating and a sedentary lifestyle. He has spoken about using food as a coping mechanism for stress and finding comfort in eating. He has also said that he does not get enough exercise.
Rod Wave has expressed a desire to lose weight and improve his health. In an interview with The Breakfast Club in 2021, he said that he had been diagnosed with sleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing to stop or become shallow during sleep. He also said that he has high blood pressure and high cholesterol. He has said that he is working with a nutritionist and a trainer to create a healthy eating and exercise plan. He has also said that he is trying to reduce his stress levels.
3. Action Bronson
- Date of Birth: December 2, 1983
- Age: 40 Years Old
- Weight: 240 lbs
- Height: 5 ft 8 inches
- Real Name: Ariyan Arslani
Action Bronson is an American rapper, songwriter, chef, and television personality. Born on December 2, 1983, in Flushing, Queens, New York, he initially gained attention for his unique blend of witty lyrics, intricate wordplay, and diverse musical influences within the hip-hop genre. Beyond music, Bronson’s background as a chef also influenced his public persona, and he hosted various culinary-themed shows, combining his love for food and entertainment. His music often incorporates anecdotes from his life and experiences, creating a distinctive and relatable style that has garnered a devoted fanbase.
Action Bronson attributed his weight gain to a combination of factors, including his love of food and his sedentary lifestyle. He said that he would often eat large meals and snacks throughout the day and that he did not get enough exercise. In an interview with Men’s Health in 2020, he said that he had been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, asthma, and eczema. He also said that he had experienced joint pain and fatigue.
Action Bronson has since lost a significant amount of weight. In the same interview with Men’s Health, he said that he had lost 127 pounds since March 2020. He attributed his weight loss to a combination of diet and exercise. He said that he now follows a strict diet that is low in sugar and processed foods and that he works out six days a week.
4. Meyhem Lauren
- Date of Birth: May 14, 1983
- Age: 40 Years Old
- Weight: 154 kg
- Height: 7 ft 2 inches
- Real Name: Meyhem Lauren
Mayhem Lauren is an American rapper and member of the hip-hop collective, Griselda Records. Born on July 15, 1983, in Queens, New York, he’s known for his gritty lyrical style and his contributions to the revival of traditional East Coast hip-hop. With a background in graffiti culture, Mayhem Lauren gained recognition for his collaborations with fellow Griselda artists and his solo projects, often featuring vivid storytelling and references to street life.
His affiliation with Griselda Records has solidified his place in the modern rap landscape, further contributing to the collective’s growing influence in the genre. Even though Meyhem falls into the category of fat rappers, he has not had any known health challenges or complications. He has not addressed his weight or taken any known measures to lose weight.
5. Lizzo
- Date of Birth: 27 April 1988
- Age: 36 Years Old
- Weight: 118 Kg
- Height: 5 feet 10 inches
- Real Name: Melissa Viviane Jefferson
Lizzo, born Melissa Viviane Jefferson on April 27, 1988, is an American singer, rapper, songwriter, and flutist. Rising to prominence for her empowering anthems, body positivity, and vibrant performances, she fuses elements of pop, R&B, and hip-hop in her music. With hits like “Truth Hurts” and “Good as Hell,” Lizzo’s energetic personality, dynamic vocals, and unapologetic self-expression have earned her widespread acclaim and commercial success, while also making her an influential figure in promoting self-confidence and diversity in the entertainment industry.
Lizzo’s body positivity idea revolves around promoting self-acceptance, self-love, and confidence regardless of one’s body size or appearance. She advocates for breaking free from societal beauty standards and challenging the norms that often dictate how people should look and feel about themselves. Lizzo encourages individuals to embrace their bodies, celebrate their uniqueness, and reject harmful notions of perfection. However, all of that has recently been called into question with abuse and body shaming accusations against her.
Lizzo’s weight has been a subject of debate since her rise to fame. At some point, she committed to making an effort to eat healthy even though she was not trying to lose weight. She changed her diet and incorporated green healthy juice which she often filmed herself drinking to encourage her followers to eat healthily. Her healthy Juice method worked and saw her lose close to 50 pounds. This notwithstanding, she still ranks very high on the list of fat rappers.
6. Big Body Bes
- Date of Birth: August 26, 1983
- Age: 40 Years Old
- Weight: 340 lbs
- Height: 6 ft 3 inches
- Real Name:Besnik E. Sadikay
Big Body Bes is an Ecuadorian-American personality often associated with the hip-hop collective Griselda Records. Born on April 6, 1983, he is known for his larger-than-life personality, humorous anecdotes, and frequent appearances alongside rapper Action Bronson. Often described as a hype man and a close friend of Action Bronson, Big Body Bes became a recognizable figure due to his boisterous presence and charismatic interactions in music videos, interviews, and various media appearances, adding a distinct element of humor and camaraderie to the hip-hop scene.
Over time, Big Body Bes has lost a lot of the weight that earned him his stage name but is still very much on the big side. He currently weighs 340 lbs. There is no recorded trace of when/how he lost weight and whether he is currently on a diet. He has also not talked about how he works out.
7. Rick Ross
- Date of Birth: January 28, 1976
- Age: 48 Years Old
- Weight: 235 lbs
- Height: 6 ft 2 inches
- Real Name: William Leonard Roberts II
William Leonard Roberts II is a rapper and music executive. He entered the music scene in the early 2000s, and within a few years, he became one of the most sought-after rappers. Labels like Bad Boy Entertainment and Murder Inc. offered him deals, but he settled for Jay-Z’s Def Jam Records in a multimillion-dollar deal in 2006.
In the same year, he released his album “Port of Miami” and two years later he released “Trilla”. He has continued to make waves in the music scene and has been nominated for the Grammy six times but has never won any.
Rick Ross’ weight issues began after he managed to clock 350 lbs and was experiencing a range of health issues, including seizures. Following the advice of his doctors, he underwent gastric bypass surgery and then placed himself on a very strict diet. He also started working out with personal trainers on a weekly basis. He managed to shed over 100 lbs and is currently living a very healthy life at 235 lbs. This notwithstanding, he still falls in the fat category.
8. Fat Joe
- Date of Birth: August 19, 1970
- Age: 53 Years Old
- Weight: 250 lbs
- Height: 5 ft 11 inches
- Real Name: Joseph Antonio Cartagena
Joseph Antonio Cartagena is a rapper and music producer who began his music career as a member of the hip-hop group Diggin’ in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.) in 1992. He embarked on a solo career a year later and set up his own label Terror Squad Productions to which he signed artists like Big Pun, Remy Ma, Tony Sunshine, a then-unknown DJ Khaled, and others.
At his highest, Fat Joe weighed a whooping 470lbs and was plagued with diabetes and depression. At this point, he knew that his weight had become a problem but couldn’t do much about it. The push to start working out came when Big Pun who was his close friend died of a heart attack which was a complication from his weight issues.
He told reporters that the thought of leaving his daughter all alone if he died was what prompted him to take decisive action. He hired a diet coach and started hitting the gym. Fat Joe has lost more than 200lbs, has his diabetes under control, and currently weighs around 250 lbs.
9. E-40
- Date of Birth: November 15, 1967
- Age: 56 Years Old
- Weight: 254 lbs
- Height: 6 ft 1 inches
- Real Name: Earl Stevens
Earl Stevens, better known by his stage name E-40, is a rapper and a founding member of the rap group The Click. Before 1995, he was only an underground artist, the general public only got to know him after he released his solo album “In a Major Way” later that year. In all, he has 26 albums to his name and lots of other musical collaborations. As the dust settled, he ventured into acting and also wrote a book.
E-40 never talked about why he decided to lose weight openly, all everyone knows is that he was huge one day, and in a couple of months, he had reduced tremendously. He is currently 56 years old and weighs a little over 170 lbs which is considered healthy even though he still looks big.
10. Twista
- Date of Birth: November 27, 1973
- Age: 50 Years Old
- Weight: 210 lbs
- Height: 172 cm
- Real Name: Carl Terrell Mitchell
Carl Terrell Mitchell, better known by his stage name Twista, is an American rapper best known for his chopper style of rapping and for once holding the title of fastest English-speaking rapper in the world, according to Guinness World Records in 1992. He was able to pronounce 598 syllables in only 55 seconds.
At the peak of his success, Twista gained a massive amount of weight which was closely tied to his unhealthy diet on the road and lack of a fitness routine. He quickly tackled it and lost most of the excess weight. He weighs about 182 lbs currently.
He attributed the weight loss to the change in lifestyle that came with retirement from tours. He said in an interview that since he retired, he doesn’t spend long hours on the road eating junk anymore. He also said jokingly that the times were changing and that cloth sizes were getting smaller and he had to adjust so as not to run out of clothes.
11. Fatman Scoop
- Date of Birth: November 28, 1979
- Age: 44 Years Old
- Weight: 150 kg or 330 lbs
- Height: 180 cm
- Real Name: Isaac Freeman III
Isaac Freeman III otherwise known as Fatman Scoop is a rapper, radio presenter, and all-round entertainer. “Be faithful” is the name of his single that brought him into the limelight, it was released back in October 2003 and was a major hit in the whole of the UK. His rough voice and his love for ice cream were two distinctive features about him, the former made him a crowd favorite while the latter set him on a path to obesity.
Being a tall guy, his weight and height kind of evened each other out but he knew he had a problem when he hit 150kg. Mr. Scoop was very open about his weight loss program, his social media account @the.fatman.scoop on IG is filled with videos of his journey towards a healthy size. Aside from the long hours at the gym, he had to give up his love for ice cream and start taking fruit smoothies instead.
He has managed to drop his weight to a little above 90kg and continues to strive to do better. Exercise and fruit smoothies are definitely the way to go.
12. J-Live
- Date of Birth: February 22, 1976
- Age: 44 Years Old
- Weight: 200 lbs
- Height: 5 ft 8 inches
- Real Name: Jean-Jacques Cadet
J-Live, born Jean-Jacques Cadet, is an American rapper, producer, and DJ known for his contributions to underground hip-hop. Born on February 18, 1974, he emerged in the mid-1990s and gained recognition for his intricate lyricism, socially conscious themes, and his skills as both an MC and a producer.
J-Live is celebrated for his thought-provoking and introspective lyrics that touch on a wide range of subjects, from politics to personal growth. His commitment to authenticity and his ability to blend jazz and soul influences into his production have solidified his reputation as an influential and respected figure in the independent hip-hop scene.
Even though J-Live is categorized as one of the fattest rappers of his time, he isn’t as big as his other colleagues who made our list. Because he weighed just around 200 lbs at his highest, it is only natural that he didn’t have to take extreme measures to get in shape as he advanced in age. Minor lifestyle adjustments such as withdrawal from junk food kept him from getting bigger than he already was.
13. CeeLo Green
- Date of Birth: May 30, 1975
- Age: 48 Years Old
- Weight: 310 lbs
- Height: 169 cm
- Real Name: Thomas DeCarlo Callaway-Burton
CeeLo Green, born Thomas DeCarlo Callaway, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer. Born on May 30, 1975, he gained fame as a member of the duo Gnarls Barkley with their hit “Crazy,” and as a founding member of the group Goodie Mob. Known for his soulful and versatile vocals, CeeLo has also achieved solo success with tracks like “Forget You” and “F**k You.”
His music blends elements of R&B, hip-hop, and pop, and he’s recognized for his distinctive style, both musically and in his fashion choices. Beyond music, CeeLo has been a coach on the reality show “The Voice” and has left an indelible mark on modern popular culture.
Mr. Green has lost 50lbs over the years, bringing him to 260lbs. Simple dietary changes over a long period of time are his secret. He once told reporters that his management wasn’t too happy about his reduction in size, they argued that his size had become part of his brand and tampering with it would surely drive down revenue. He, however, told them that they had to deal with it and make adjustments.
14. Bone Crusher
- Date of Birth: August 23, 1971
- Age: 52 Years Old
- Weight: 164 kg or 361 lbs
- Height: 188 cm
- Real Name: Wayne Hardnett Jr.
Wayne Hardnett Jr., otherwise known as Bone Crusher, is a rapper and music producer whose impressive career kicked off in the late 1990s. His debut album AttenCHUN, which came out in 2003, topped the Billboard hip-hop chart.
Back in the day, Bone Crusher weighed over 300lbs. This is no joke as the health concerns that are attached to it are quite enormous. Rumors started to fly that Bone Crusher was immobilized because of his weight, he openly refuted those rumors but it was clear to him that he needed to do something about his weight.
He joined the VH1 reality show Celebrity Fit Club and served as the captain of his weight loss team. While there, he lost 43 lbs which was a show record then. After the show, he continued to work out at his residence in Atlanta. He is, however, still on the plus side but not so much as to cause real concerns.
15. Raekwon
- Date of Birth: January 12, 1970
- Age: 54 Years Old
- Weight: 270 lbs
- Height: 5 ft 8 inches
- Real Name: Corey Woods
Raekwon is an American rapper and one of the founding members of the Wu-tang clan. Their debut album was in 1993 but just after two years, he started to pursue a solo career. His first solo album “Only Built 4 Cuban” came out in 1995 and is still being rated by critics as one of the best albums of all time.
Raekwon managed to reach an all-time high of 270lbs. He, however, had a change of heart when Fat Joe, who was his inspiration, released a statement on the dangers of being overweight. He began to work out and has currently managed to shed over 70lbs in weight. He continues to live a fast life which will hopefully see him well beyond his 50s.
16. Fat Trel
- Date of Birth: June 26, 1990
- Age: 33 Years Old
- Weight: 260 lbs
- Height: 5 ft 9 inches
- Real Name: Martrel Reeves
Martrel Reeves, popularly known as Fat Trel, is an American rapper. He is currently signed to MGE Label of Asylum Records, he was also signed to Rick Ross’s Maybach Music Group and Atlantic Records from 2009 to 2016.
Trel initially weighed about 260lbs but as soon as the shed weight breeze hit his then-boss, Rick Ross, he had to join the trend. He and other members of the Maybach group were part of Ross’s intense workout plan. He shed about 50 lbs because of this and weighs just over 200 lbs currently.
17. David Banner
- Date of Birth: April 11, 1974
- Age: 50 Years Old
- Weight: 270 lbs
- Height: 188 cm
- Real Name: Lavell William Crump
Lavell William Crump is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. He was born and raised in Mississippi. He started his music career as a member of the rap duo Crooked Lettaz, he went solo in 2000 with the release of Them Firewater Boyz Vol 1.
In 2003, Banner signed to Universal Records, where he released four albums: Mississippi: The Album (2003), MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water (2003), Certified (2005), and The Greatest Story Ever Told (2008).
David Banner had very severe health concerns because of his weight, ranging from sleep disorders, and high blood pressure coupled with a risk of developing diabetes, the diagnosis was made around 2011 and he was told that he will die within the next 3 months. Fast forward to 2023, and he is still alive and well, so how did he do it? He told reporters that a complete change in diet was his secret, he became vegan and only ate natural items, he had to overcome his love for macaroni, cheese, and fried chicken which was the hardest part of the journey, but he managed to shed over 100lbs and currently weighs only 170lbs.
18. Chubb Rock
- Date of Birth: May 28, 1968
- Age: 55 Years Old
- Weight: 364 lbs or 165 kg
- Height: 1.71 m
- Real Name: Richard Anthony Simpson
Richard Anthony Simpson is an American rapper who was a sensation back in the 1980s and 1990s. He dropped out from Brown University where he was a national merit scholar to pursue a career in music. The amount of success he had makes it difficult to argue with that decision.
His first cousin Dj/producer Howie Tee was who scouted him and was his main motivation at the beginning of his career. He released two albums in 1988 and 1989, “Chubb Rock” and “And the winner is” were their titles. He didn’t gain a lot of fame till he released his single titled “The One” in 1990, the song was able to climb up to the 13th position on the billboard for that year.
As his popularity grew, so did his weight. It wasn’t until his dear friend Heavy D died of weight-related complications that he knew he had to do something about his condition. At that time he was already over 40yrs, he hit the gym and managed to lose about 45 lbs in two weeks and also sought medical help. The doctor didn’t have good news though, he was immediately diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the news was however taken calmly by Chubb Rock. He continued to hit the gym regularly and started on his diabetes medication and management therapy as well.
19. Bizarre
- Date of Birth: July 5, 1976
- Age: 47 Years Old
- Weight: 280 lbs
- Height: 5 ft 10 inches
- Real Name: Rufus Johnson
Rufus Johnson, better known by his stage name Bizarre, is an American rapper best known for his work with the Detroit-based hip-hop group D12. The group’s debut album titled Devil’s Night was released in 2001 and peaked at number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and in the ‘Top 5’ in Australia, Belgium, Germany, New Zealand, and the UK.
Biz told reporters that he was a slim guy while growing up, his enormous weight gain started when he was 14yrs, and he was placed on steroids because of his asthma.
Fast forward to recent times, he clocked 300lbs in 2019 and that was when he decided to get help concerning the situation, the music star struggled to keep to his routine, the routine comprised of a diet change and regular exercise. On January 8, 2021, his manager announced through his social media handle that he had a transient ischemic attack which was a fancy way of saying mild stroke. He was stabilized in the hospital and after he was discharged, he was motivated to take his exercise and diet routine more seriously. He weighs a little over 180 lbs currently and is still being closely monitored by his doctors.
20. Timberland
- Date of Birth: March 10, 1972
- Age: 52 Years Old
- Weight: 350 lbs
- Height: 5 ft 7 inches
- Real Name: Timothy Zachery Mosley
Timothy Zachery Mosley, popularly known as Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter, record executive, rapper, and singer. He has received widespread acclaim for his innovative production work and distinctive “stuttering” rhythmic style. In 2007, Entertainment Weekly stated that any song that was trending at the time could be traced back to him. He either wrote the lyrics, helped in production, was the director, or helped with the vocals.
His troubles started after he had a root canal surgery back in 2011. He got addicted to the pain medication that was prescribed to him. The addiction side-tracked everything about his life, his marriage, his finances, and his career, as everything went downhill. He spent the next two years feeling sorry for himself and binge eating whatever he could lay his hands on, that is how he got to be 350lbs.
In 2013, the thought of his three kids seemed to serve as a shining light leading him back from the abyss, he settled his divorce, paid off his taxes and since he liked to hit things, he took on intense boxing and weightlifting, within a couple of months he had lost 120lbs, he weighs just a little below 200lbs now and he has continued to strife so as not to relapse again.
