Fat Joe Album: “Loyalty [PA]”

Ever since his debut in the rap game in 1993, it was clear to the rap world that Fat Joe was not a very tight rapper, and he drifted off into the realms of artistic mediocrity enjoyed by many of his peers in the industry. It took the death of friend and partner in rhyme Big Pun, the abandonment of Terror Squad compadre Cuban Link, and two R&B- laced crossover singles "What's Luv" and "We Thuggin'" off of his solid fourth album to make him gain the attention of the mainstream. On "Loyalty," Joey Crack almost duplicates "We Thuggin'" with the catchy and thoroughly enjoyable single "Crush Tonight," featuring crooner Ginuwine. The second major single off the album, "All I Need" is a saccharine yet likeable ode to the strong women behind the rappers featuring a sweet harmonizing courtesy of Tony Sunshine, and average raps from Joey Crack and Terror Squad member Armageddon. The album's lyrics are certainly not profoundly original, but mostly standard "gangsta" fare. Too much aggressive, mindless shouting of profanities ruins tracks like "Take a Look at My Life," "Bust At You" (which should be great because it features Scarface), and "TS Piece." Although the lyrics don't cover new ground, and the booming outbursts of Fat Joe can wear dangerously thin, short moments of honest brilliance save this from being typical thugged out garbage. Much like friend N.O.R.E., Fat Joe knows he's not a crazy lyricist who can come with mind boggling rhyme schemes, so instead he just brings much needed reality into his rhymes. "Born In the Ghetto" is a highly effective plea for unity in the 'hood to fight the common evils of poverty and oppression. "Gangsta" is Fat Joe's heartbreaking highly personal critique of the gangsta lifestyle and the adverse flip side of his "Represent!" gruntings, set against a great beat. The last two tracks are also great clinchers. Joe's raps about social consciousness never become self-righteous or arrogant, and remain accessable and enjoyable for the boys back on the block. Although he's not the hottest rapper or king of the rap game, and not for everyone, Fat Joe delivers a fine album, definitely worth checking out.

Edgar thinks everything sucks. He needs to shut his trap and keep his opinion to himself because he's garbage. He's a classic hater and I bet he isn't even from LA. Yo Edgar I never heard of ya so get off Fat Joe, because you don't even exist to him or us real hip hoppets. Edgar go back into your hole and stay there. You fcking hater.

Don't know much about it except it features hit single "Crush Tonight" w/ Ginuwine. I have this album but due to the overload of new music i recieve each week i do not yet have time to listen and post of full review of the product. When i do find time to listen to "Loyalty", i will post a detailed review of it.

Keep your eyes out for my review.

Even since his song "What's love" with Ashanti i've got my eyes on him. This Cd is impressive, it includes both catchy party songs and more serious one's. On "Take a look at my life" he sings about growing up, great samples and he's without guest artists. "All i need" is defenitely the best here, a slow romantic song with Tony Sunshine and Armageddon, great sample's once again. "Prove something" "Born in the Ghetto" and "Loyalty" are also notable songs, His first single release "crush tonight" got some airplay some time ago, it's with Irv" Wannabe mafia" Gotti, a decent track too. I think Fat Joe did a great thing when he tried to make some decent hooks on his music so they got some attention, he's a good rapper but adding geat sample's and hooks is the key to success. A good album actually.

Fat Joe seems to have gone the route of Ja Rule with this LP. His sophomore LP, "Don Cartagena" was a slept-on record and perhaps because of that, he mixed a little R&B sound into his next album, "Jealous Ones Still Envy". After that album became a platinum hit, he dropped this weak follow-up. Aside from the second single, "All I Need" with the laid-back hook from Tony Sunshine, this album really wasn't much. "Bust At You" was about the 550th song to sample Bootsy Collins' "I'd Rather Be With You" and so many others have done it much better. Not even Scarface could save it. Well, R&B crossover seems to be all the rave these days so all of you TRL fans... Enjoy.