Fat Joe says when it comes to his rap lyrics, keeping it real is just a catchphrase … he’s been spinning tall tales in 95% of his music!!!

The Bronx rap star made the shocking confession while defending Young Thug to Gayle King during a CNN special report on Thursday.

According to Joe, he’s been able to carve out a career by using his imagination, and not actually committing crimes his “Don Cartegena” persona has historically bragged about.

“I’ve been rapping professionally for 30 years — I’ve lied in almost 95 percent of my songs,” Joe told the panel. “I’m being honest. I write like I feel that day. I’m just being creative. You couldn’t build a jail high enough for the lyrics I’ve said on songs which are all untrue.”

The “All The Way Up” rapper went on to criticize the prosecutors overseeing Young Thug’s RICO case for enforcing lyrics they know aren’t real all the same.

Thug’s lawyer Brian Steel recently argued in court that Thug’s name was an acronym for “Truly Humble Under God” and denied his lyrics had any coded gang meanings.

Joe’s been combatting rappers being prosecuted over the lyrics for several years … having played a significant role in pushing New York’s “Rap Music On Trial” bill as the push for legislation continues.

Rappers like Bobby Shmurda want similar bills passed in Georgia — which would work greatly to Thug’s benefit.

In the meantime, better take everyone’s lyrics with a grain of salt.