THE APEX TIMES
Edgar Berlanga Jr. Taps Fat Joe and DJ Khaled Support as He Prepares a Music Debut With “Baby Mama”
In a new Billboard interview, the boxer discusses releasing his first song and the guidance he says he received from hip-hop stars, while positioning himself for a crossover into music.
Boxer Edgar Berlanga Jr. says he is preparing to enter the music world with his first song, “Baby Mama,” drawing support and encouragement from prominent hip-hop figures Fat Joe and DJ Khaled as he looks to translate his momentum from the ring to recording and performance. The comments come in a Billboard interview published July 24, in which music reporter Carl Lamarre speaks with Berlanga about his early steps into songwriting and the reception he is seeking in a different arena.
The interview frames the effort as a formal transition, not a one-off experiment, with Berlanga describing the song as his opening move and discussing what he has learned so far about creating and presenting music to an audience. Billboard’s segment is presented under its recurring “Mic Drops and Elbow Drops” format, underscoring the collision of combat sports and hip-hop culture that Berlanga is now trying to bridge.
Lamarre’s conversation also highlights the role of veteran artists in Berlanga’s early music push. The article title and interview description say Berlanga received cosigns from Fat Joe and DJ Khaled, and that he spoke about advice he has gotten from them as he plans what comes next after “Baby Mama.” The kind of guidance described is presented as mentorship tied to credibility in a competitive music industry, rather than a general endorsement.
Within the interview framing, Berlanga’s focus is on readiness and discipline, with the boxer discussing how he is approaching this new track of work. While boxing careers are built around training cycles and fight preparation, the music transition involves different time demands, promotional strategies, and audience expectations, and the interview centers on Berlanga’s effort to understand those differences.
Billboard’s coverage situates the project as an attempt to earn a place in the “music ring,” a phrase used in the segment description to convey the idea that credibility in music is earned through performance and public reception, not just notoriety from sports. The article makes clear that “Baby Mama” is the cornerstone of that first step.
The interview’s release timing, coming just ahead of the late July media cycle, places Berlanga’s music debut in a period when major artists routinely use summer for visibility and audience engagement. For fans who follow boxing and hip-hop separately, the cross-industry bridge the interview describes is aimed at connecting those audiences through a single, named release.
It remains unclear from the interview description alone what additional songs, collaborators, or distribution plans are attached to Berlanga’s music timeline. Further details would be expected in subsequent coverage tied to the release and follow-up appearances, including any performance or promotional events associated with “Baby Mama.”
Why It Matters
- Edgar Berlanga Jr.’s shift from boxing to recorded music illustrates a continuing pattern of crossover between sports celebrity and mainstream entertainment, with early momentum tied to recognizable industry endorsements.
- By centering a first single, the project sets a concrete starting point for how Berlanga is likely to be judged by audiences outside boxing.
- Mentorship and “cosigns” from established hip-hop artists can affect early credibility and marketing reach for new entrants, especially when the debut is tied to a specific track.
- For fans and local communities that follow Berlanga’s career, the release gives a non-fight-related way to engage with him, potentially expanding his public footprint beyond sports.
- The project’s next steps, including any follow-up releases and promotional plans, will determine whether the crossover sustains attention after the initial single.
Key Facts
- Billboard published an interview with boxer Edgar Berlanga Jr. on July 24, 2026.
- The interview is part of Billboard’s “Mic Drops and Elbow Drops” series.
- Berlanga said his first song is titled “Baby Mama.”
- Billboard’s coverage says Berlanga received cosigns from Fat Joe.
- The coverage also says Berlanga received cosigns from DJ Khaled.
- The interview discusses advice Berlanga says he received from Fat Joe as he prepares for music.
- The interview is conducted by Billboard reporter Carl Lamarre.