Fat Joe Album: “Elephant in the Room”

This guy is so underrated. I loved it on the first listen, 4 stars. No instant classics or major hit singles here, though I personally like a few of the tracks quite a bit... lyrics are tight, some good production from some well known producers (Scott Storch, Swiss Beatz, Danja, DJ Kaled). Pretty up tempo tracks... one of those CDs you can throw in & listen to all the way through from start to finish over & over again.

After being dropped from a major record label a few years ago Fat Joe thinks he deserves a better fortune, thus using the English Idiom "Elephant in the Room" which refers to something big going on but still getting ignored by the audience. Fat Joe has always been a skilled rapper but quite often the music hasn't been too hot (read commercial). His last album was better then usual and featured the Scott Storch produced hit single "Make It Rain" with Lil Wayne but it still went rather overlooked which is the problem compared to more commercial but less skilled rappers such as 50 Cent. On this effort, Fat Joe continues with more tough gangsta rap and if you've heard his other albums you know what to expect. Fammiliar faces on the producer side aswell with Scott Storch, Cool & Dre and Danja to mention a few. The truth is that Fat Joe's lyrics are on point but the production isn't actually as steller, the complete opposite to Rick Ross's recent album, but Fat Joe doesn't look for sympathy or attention he looks for respect and acknowledgement for sticking around for so long and for being a crucial part in the Hip Hop community. If you apreciate the man's work, take another look here.

It all starts with a song called "The Fugitive" which is some kind of intro cause he raps non stop (like freestylin) and the rhymes here are some of the best I've heard in ages. It also need to be mentioned that he uses a few foul words here to prove that he don't give a damn. "You Ain't Sayin' Nothin" from Cool & Dre feature wannabe rapper Dre and yet to called himself rapper Plies, the song itself really isn't that special. The title refers to "not saying nuthin" if it aint about money. Listen to Rick Ross last album and you get why. I wish I could say that "The Crackhouse" (from Cool & Dre) with the usual un-invited guest Lil Wayne was as good as their last colaboration but it isn't. Not too hard to get what this song is about. Danja produced "Cocababy" is not on par with most stuff he does. It's very minimalistic with some girl singing the hook. Another song about the same thing. Annoying homie Dj Khaled produces the next song "Get It For Life" and some rock-pop singer called Pooh Bear appears. "Drop" is the usual Swizz Beatz song, amazing he could use the same beats for about 100 diffrent songs?. "I Won't Tell" from The Hitmen with J Holiday is a rap-ballad and differ from the rest here. It was also a successful single. Producer Street Runner is next up with "KAR (Kill All Rats)" with some old soul sample, lyrically this is Fat Joe on top (even if it's very graphic) and I suppose this one is dedicated to the haters. The hitmen that produced the only commercial single come back "300 Brolic" a pompous street single with a Opera sample resembling a big combat (just like on the film with the same name), also dedicated to haters with very graphic lyrics. A highlight for sure. "Preacher On a Sunday Morning" from Scott Storch is good with guitar riffs as beats but I still don't like this Pooh Bear guy. "My Conscience" from Alchemist with KRS-One resemble that song with Eminem/Dr Dre in it's theme. Dj Premier makes the last one called "That White", old skool as it may be it's surprisingly efficient with good lyrics once more.

Overall, It may not have many big radio singles or high record sales but it's a pretty good album nonetheless, atleast 2/3 of it. On those songs where Fat Joe give us the best of him and show his amazing rhymes. The production could have been better at times and some songs could have been excluded but this is another solid Fat Joe album that is worth checking out for sure. 3'5.

I'll be honest... sadly i didnt expect this album to be what it was. On a better note, unlike his previous albums, every track in "Elephant" had a certain allure to it. I really enjoyed this album. Cocababy was wicked!!! 300 Brolic was Hot!!! To finish this review off I'd like to say, being a life long Bronxian, having walked by Fat Joe several times in several different Bronx neighborhoods, It makes me feel proud to know that a fellow Rican is really letting the world know just what it means to be from the Bronx! Things dont last forever. From Harry's Sporting Goods to Jimmys Bronx Cafe the Terror Squad is moving along just nicely!!!!

Fat Joe has been around for years. I can recall a time when he and Big Punisher were rarely seen without each other. I somewhat enjoy his past hits, but, put it this way, he doesn't have any songs on my iPod. At his best, he's a good lyricist who brings much energy, but he doesn't seem to have any distinction about himself besides the fact that he's a Puerto Rican rapper, but that has nothing to do with his rapping ability. "The Elephant in the Room" is an okay album, but there isn't a memorable second here. Actually, I can remember one thing: J. Holiday is featured here and he does a good job. Other than that, there is nothing at all special about this album. Lil' Wayne is even featured, but he did nothing to boost this album in any way.

This is a short album with a running time of just forty-six minutes. The album begins with a pretty good effort entitled "The Fugitive" (did this title remind anyone else of that old television show?) The hook isn't strong and the beat is basic, but his energy jumps out at you and the lyrics aren't bad at all. This song is kind of enjoyable. "K.A.R" has an alright beat, yet a lame hook. The lyrics, though, are incredible! The words and one-liners give this song lots of replay value. J. Holiday adds flavor to the album on "I Won't Tell." This song has one of the best beats found here. Overall, it's a good moment on the album.

I can't totally knock Joey Crack for this album for I have surely heard worse, but it is a bit too inconsistent for my taste. It's decent, though and if you do purchase it, you'll probably enjoy it, even if you only enjoy portions.

Mikeisha's Top 5

1. "I Won't Tell"

2. "K.A.R"

3. "Cocababy"

4. "That White"

5. "The Fugitive"

To most Harcore Rap fans and off the back of his last couple abulms a new Fat Joe album was nothing to look forward to or be excited about. Infact thats the reason for the late review.

However in "The Elaphant in the Room" album Joey has given me something i have on constant repeat on my mp3, in my car and in my head!

I wont attampt to define or explain this album however i will say this, I HAVENT GIVEN A HARDCORE RAP ALBUM A 5 STAR RATING SINCE BIG.