Rap-Up.com || Album Preview: Fat Joe – ‘The Elephant in the Room’

Leaning back on a broader audience after the last couple of explosive singles, Fat Joe is ready to hit the scene again—and he intends to be the topic of conversation. “I am going to be that elephant in the room, ” he says, his dimples implying an air of mischievous confidence. “I’m here in hip-hop and you won’t be able to ignore me.”

We’ll find out if his prophecies become truth on March 11th, when his eighth album, The Elephant in the Room, drops. Until then, here’s Rap-Up.com’s track-by-track rundown.

1. “The Fugitive”
Produced by Street Runner

With blaring sirens, obvious police drama in the background, and immediate verbal threats, there’s no question that Joe is demanding attention with this opener. It’s a tougher sound that you’d anticipate hearing after his first radio single.

2. “Ain’t Nothing” featuring Dre of Cool & Dre
Produced by Cool & Dre

“If it ain’t about money…” This is the first of a couple of potential club bangers on the album, displaying Joe’s signature playful swagger. This one’s like many of Joe’s catchy hooked singles.

3. “The Crack House” featuring Lil Wayne
Produced by Steve Morales

Just what you’d expect from a collabo between Joey Crack and his proclaimed favorite rapper. Crazy rhymes and tight delivery on both parts over an underwhelming beat—the perfect combination for a potential follow-up single.

4. “Coca Baby” featuring Jackie Rubio
Produced by Danja Handz

Joe named this as his favorite track on the album. Upbeat, rhythmically focused, and blessed with an easy tempo, this one’s got strip club potential. Make it rain all over again?

5. “Get It For Life” featuring Pooh Bear
Produced by DJ Khaled

Throwin’ it back to the ’80s, this one is on “some George Michael shit,” as Joe put it. Speeding beats set off a nightrider vibe with a less than superior flow.

6. “Drop” featuring Swizz Beatz and Jackie Rubio
Produced by Swizz Beatz

Swizzy hits us off with one of his distinct sounds that’s inevitably going to make ‘em bounce like his signature hydraulic singed beats. Definitely more gimmicky; this track might even come with its own dance if this was a Dirty South affair.

7. “I Won’t Tell” featuring J. Holiday
Produced by Sean C. and LV

This one’s currently burning up the airwaves. With J.’s smooth vocals and sexy mid-tempo flow, this was a sure shot for an attention-grabbing first single. You know how it goes—get the ladies on the dance floor first and everything else will fall into place.

8. “KAR”
Produced by Street Runner

An acronym for “Kill All Rats,” this track boasts the most confident delivery, with meaningful verses. A tribute to the ones “locked down,” Joe pays homage to the hustle and all its repercussions.

9. “300 Brolic” featuring Opera Steve
Produced by Sean C. and LV

Backed by a thunderous beat, this joint could be the background to an Apocalyptic flick. One of the grittier songs on the album, Joe reverts back to a street mentality, switching content from fly girls to flashy guns.

10. “Preacher on a Sunday Morning” featuring Pooh Bear
Produced by Scott Storch

Storch doesn’t measure up to his rep on this track, where the rhymes are decent but essentially overpower the weak, cliché beat.

11. “Thank God For That White”
Produced by DJ Premier

With a beat that takes you back to the Bronx in the days of hip-hop’s childhood, it’s one of the most seasoned backdrops on the playlist. Crack reminisces on the gutta and glory of his home territory.

–Rajul Punjabi in New York

Posted in Album Previews, Fat Joe | Permalink |

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14 Comments

rodgersmbaga
January 17th, 2008 at 4:48 am
no body can do what coca baby is doing.
i realy apriciate your work hommie.keep ur head up
midupa
January 17th, 2008 at 4:57 am
Ebwana crack we wa ukweli kama vp waharibie tu kitu gan
Anonymous
January 17th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
His hand look like booty meat
THE_INFINESS
January 17th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I SUPPORT JOE IN ANYTHING HE DOES.
THE WHOLE BRONX IS BEHIND HIM.
THE WHOLE DITC.
BRAND NUBIANS
NICE AND SMOOTH
BOOGIE DOWN.
SH$T THE WHOLE UPTOWN.
IM BEHIND JOEY CRACK.
DONT MAKE ME SMACK THE SH$T OUTTA U.
WATCH YO MOUTH OR REVEAL YOURSELF,
SO I COULD HUNT U DOWN.
WATCH YO COMMENTS IN HERE.
INF !!!!
mike
January 17th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Just finished listening to 300 brolic, that shit is just that motherfuckin brolic. Do yo thing Fat Joe, I support yo movement. That Me, myself, and I movement. When you got people around you these faggots out here say that you need them to win, when you standing on your own they be saying you ain’t shit because you don’t put no one on. Know what I say Joey, Fuck em all. You doing good my niggah, keep it up and always stay focused. You that old Vanguard my niggah, before spanish niggahs even started goin hard, you know I know. Boogie Down forever.
Da Natural
January 18th, 2008 at 2:14 am
Fat Joe Alwayz Go Hard…300 Brolic Heard Dat Shit Last Month On XM And BeeN BumpiN It SiNce!!! Holla
C-Note
January 18th, 2008 at 4:17 am
Fat Joe needs to go away. He doesn’t and will never run NYC. Self proclaimed King of NY. He wish. Biggie is and will always be that.
J.B.III
January 19th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Oh snap is that Opera Steve on 300 Brolic? Sounds like dude from “Off With His Head” from Puns 2nd album hahahaha! That joint is hardbody no doubt! Joe has always been in my Top 10! Say what you want but don’t front he still here and obviously isn’t going anywhere! BX Trinity Ave. stand Up! These clowns stay hatin but real heads know! “Still got my name carved in that central bookin/Gave that pu$$y (Cuban Stink) a scar and told him good lookin!” -Fat Joe “I’m So Hood Remix”-
FJ560
January 25th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Great list, fat joe keep up the good work
FAT JOE THE BEST!
AK47
January 31st, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Crack is toooooo Sick. no one can fuck with this nigga man. im tellin u. hes been in the game for too long and deserves to be noticed.
3.11.08 ima defenitly get that album. The Elephant In The Room. NIGGAH. stop talkin shit bout joey u pussies
Jason
February 14th, 2008 at 6:34 am
I am feelin these new joints.
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February 17th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
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BK
March 9th, 2008 at 9:51 am
I don’t know man….I really try to listen to this shit….some nice beats like primo sean c lv and all that, but this white trash can’t rap for shit. Stop saying nigga, stop sauing we the best, stop saying coca, crillz mania, damn B you some annoying fat fuck. Fat joe is done, bitching about why he is slept on ? bitch, you’s slept on cause you just aint got it! So many years in the game and still you aint shit, cut it out man, give it up, move on, go do some wrestling or sumtin.
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March 23rd, 2008 at 2:58 am
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