The New York Yankees had hoped to capture some hometown magic with a pre-game performance from Fat Joe ahead of Game 3 of the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Unfortunately, the attempt to match the Dodgers’ earlier pre-game performance by Ice Cube fell flat, with fans and social media having a field day critiquing the Bronx rapper’s set.

Fat Joe took center stage at Yankee Stadium, seemingly stepping up in answer to his West Coast counterpart. But the performance didn’t go as planned, with Fat Joe delivering what many fans described as a karaoke-style rendition of his own hits. The reaction was swift and merciless, as Twitter lit up with memes and commentary expressing widespread disappointment.

One user playfully suggested Yankee Stadium’s once-mighty aura had taken a hit, while another remarked on how it wasn’t exactly the start the Yankees needed as they faced a daunting 0-2 deficit in the series.

The consensus seemed to be that the performance was an unexpected distraction from the main event.

The Yankees were looking to regain some momentum after two tough losses at Dodger Stadium. Heading into Game 3, they desperately needed every advantage they could muster. Yet, instead of a boost, the pre-game show became the butt of many jokes, with comparisons to Ice Cube only amplifying the sentiment.

Throughout the media storm, fans couldn’t help but note the visual of Fat Joe rocking Timberlands on the mound – a New York staple but perhaps not the safest footwear on the carefully manicured diamond. And while Fat Joe’s set might not have hit the right notes, the Yankees were hoping it wouldn’t be a metaphor for their performance on the field. New York still had a mountain to climb, but there was hope that they could shake off the misstep and focus on getting back in the series.

In the end, the focus shifted back to the game, where the stakes remained high. The Yankees needed to channel the energy of their city, finding their rhythm both on the mound and at the plate – because, ultimately, the sound of victory is the only tune this team and its fans want to hear reverberating through the Bronx.