Joe Tacopina — now there’s a name that’s become as synonymous with the hip-hop scene as a killer beat drop! Once just a lawyer, he’s evolved into a legal superstar following his high-profile representation of A$AP Rocky during that intense felony assault trial. And if you thought that was the end of his story, hold onto your headphones! Tacopina’s got some juicy revelations up his sleeve, especially about Diddy—yes, the very same Diddy who somehow continues to be at the center of every juicy celebrity scandal. So, what’s the deal? Why did Tacopina decide to step back from taking on Diddy’s case? Spoiler alert: it involves some complicated friendships and rivalries behind the scenes at Roc Nation! Let’s dive into the details and unpack this tangled web of loyalty, celebrity, and the sometimes murky waters of hip-hop law. Trust me, this ride is going to be as wild as a surprise album drop!
Joe Tacopina has become one of hip hop’s favorite lawyers. He was the man who represented A$AP Rocky during his felony assault trial and ensured his freedom. He’s since become a regular on radio and podcast circuits. Joe Tacopina has a lot to say about the Rocky trial. The most intriguing revelation about his legal practice, however, had nothing to do with the A$AP star. Tacopina revealed that he was one of the lawyers who was asked to look at Diddy‘s case. And he had a specific reason for turning it down.
Joe Tacopina detailed his experience with Diddy’s legal team on the Breakfast Club. He told the hosts that he was earmarked to examine the charges against Diddy. He felt as though it would be wrong of him to weigh in, though. given his affiliation with Roc Nation founder Jay-Z. Why does the Roc Nation angle matter? Well, according to Tacopina, Jay-Z does not get along with Diddy. Tacopina shied away from a declarative statement, but he made it clear that Diddy and Hov are not close, nor are they on the same page.
“I represent Roc Nation,” Joe Tacopina told DJ Envy. “I’m very close with Jay and Desiree Perez… They really are special, special people. That’s sort of family to me.” The celebrity lawyer struggled to find the correct words to communicate the Roc Nation and Diddy dynamic, but Envy made a comment about not seeing “eye-to-eye” that seemed to click. “I don’t think they see eye-to-eye with P. Diddy,” he offered. Charlamagne Tha God asked Tacopina to repeat himself, because previous allegations were made that Jay-Z and Diddy were actually very close.
Charlamagne recalled fans lumping Jay and Diddy together because they appeared in photos together. Joe Tacopina immediately shot this theory down. “Everybody’s in a picture with Diddy,” he posited. “At one time or another, that went to a party. But when things got real, years and years ago…” The lawyer trailed off yet again, but Envy swooped back in with the “eye-to-eye” comment. Joe Tacopina isn’t the only lawyer who’s steered clear of the Diddy case. A core member of the mogul’s legal team, Anthony Ricco, recently stepped down and claimed he could no longer “effectively” serve Diddy.