Album: Fat Joe – The Elephant In The Room

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While being obviously self-deprecating with the title of his new album, The Elephant In The Room, Fat Joe set himself up for critiques. The seemingly bloodthirsty G-Unit crew used the opportunity to release the diss-heavy Elephant In The Sand mixtape (complete with embarrassing photo), where he is nicknamed ‘Rat Joe’ and labeled a snitch. Joe is known for keeping things moving though which is what he does here on his eighth studio album, despite his powerful detractors.

Fat Joe’s transition from BX hard rock to sun-soaked Florida convert is in definitive full effect, as the majority of board-work is handled by the likes of Cool & Dre, the Runners and Scott Storch. Luckily, there are enough of his New York roots still present so that it’s not a completely one-sided affair.

You have to give the imposing rapper credit for maintaining his relevance after over a decade in the industry, something he addresses on the swaggering opener The Fugitive. Living up to his drug-laced nickname he continues to inflate his former drug dealer image, now with the added boost of being based in the former cocaine capital.

The familiar subject matter continues on the anthem-like Cool & Dre-crafted The Crackhouse, as Lil’ Wayne (is this guy tired yet?!) joins Joe on the hook. It wouldn’t be a Fat Joe album without a couple of club/ladies anthems, which are present and applied with varying degrees of success. The somewhat low-key I Won’t Tell is the best of these tracks; even Joe mellows a bit (just a little) along with the talented J. Holiday on the chorus. Cocababy on the other hand is a messy concoction and is ultimately skippable, as is the Swizz Beatz-featuring Drop.

His NY manifestations may not pop up on the track list as often as would be preferable but when they do appear they are very solid. Joey Crack wrecks shop over DJ Premier’s updated boom-bap sonics as he thanks god for That White. It is also reassuring to hear the Bronx bomber join forces with longtime mentor KRS-One on the excellent My Conscience, as the duo trade clever rhymes about inner-turmoil, with Alchemist behind the boards.

Unlike many of his fellow disenchanted New Yorkers, who attempt to ride a synth-driven beat to ‘Dirty South’ levels of stardom and relevance, Joe sounds more than comfortable over the style of production favoured below the Mason Dixon line. This is mainly due to the fact that it is not an all out character transformation, but rather an even-handed balance between eastern and southern musical sensibilities.

One of the best examples would be the determined strains of Preacher On A Sunday Morning, produced by Scott Storch. Joey sounds more motivated than ever as he aims his vitriol at the likes of Jay-Z, 50 Cent and mixtape rappers (possibly Papoose), staking his own claim as the king of New York, dismissing the others, who he views as pretenders to the throne.

It may at times sound quite similar to his last few albums, however as a whole The Elephant In The Room is a stronger release than 2006’s Me, Myself & I, as Joe tones down the number of big-time guest appearances and creates a suitable bridge between his past and present styles. It’s the re-up!

Available through Virgin Records