This is a great album from Fat Joe, and not to be confused with the pop rap he makes these days. Fat Joe here is street & hard, kicking hard rhymes over thumping, dark and heavy beats, in the midst of that classic NYC era of 90-95.

Primo offers a few nice beats, but Diamond D does the best production work, kicking things off with the eerie 'Bronx Tale' with KRS-1. Joes raps are hard and BS-free throughout, but his sidekicks don't really show much potential, barring the nice guest spot from Big Pun.(Chef raekwon also shows up)

The closing 'Bronx Keeps Creating It' is my personal fave, although throughout it should be noted that things are hard & rugged, with the exception of the Sexual Healing jack 'Envy', which is soft and feels out of place within the rest of the music. Overall a pretty ominous vibe is carried off, what with the mafioso interludes as well, and an album this good makes you wonder why Joe had to sell out and go pop, like so many others.

For those of you who liked "DON CARTAGENA" you will dig "JEALOUS ONE'S ENVY". JOe shows off his fierce rhyme style on cuts like "ENVY" and "Respect Mine" with Wu-tangs The Chef. Joe also skillfully pays homage to all the true hip-hop artists of our time on "Dedication". Last but not least,one of the best tracks on the cd is the DJ Premier produced remix of "Sh@@t Is Real". This is my favorite track. True Fat Joe fans should pick this release up.

For those that don't know, Fat Joe was supposed to be the next "Bronx King", but after selling out with the wack-assed "WHAT'S LOVE?", Joe lost his ground, as well as his future title. Melle-Mell gave birth to KRS ONE, KRS gave us Lord Finesse, and Finesse delivered us "Fat Joe Da' Gangsta'". But what happened to the next royal MC from "The Boogie"? HE sold out!! There for his title was forfeited and given to the new champion hailing from the "SOUTH BRONX", "BIG DOG PUNISHER" (Big Pun) of the "FULL O' CLIPS CREW"! Believe it or not, this CD is ILL! Production by Premo & Diamond D. And guests appearances by KRS, Big Pun and Raekwon. A classic of the Boom-Bap era! A pitty he sold out.

Yo, I've purchased this album three times. This is a classic hip-hop album. You don't see music like this. Not only do you have Fat Joe at his illest, you've got Primo on production. Consider the era of hip-hop in which this album was released. Primo was the man to see in terms of production. Back then, the producer did the whole album not one or two joints for radio play. Consider the fact that Primo had produced Nas's "Illmatic" a few years prior, an album that was certified "bananas" out the door. A lot was riding on this project for Primo. The follow-up to a classic is always hard...just ask OutKast. A lot was riding on the project for FatJiddo as well. His prior album made some noise but not what was to be expected from a former member of D.I.T.C. Joe definitely served notice on this album and primo picked up where he left off from Illmatic. Jealous One's Envy is a classic that will stand the test of time because it is void of the gimmicks and bullcrap that plagues modern commercial rap. No gimmicks no ploys, no guest appearances featuring latest 'made for radio supastar." Just emcee'ing at its illest.

It's kind of hard to believe that Fat Joe actually made an album like this before, like many people said, 'sold out.' This is Fat Joe' second album back in late 1995, back when he was held down by a group called D.I.T.C. Prduction was held by DJ Primer of Gangstarr, Diamond D, L.E.S. and others.

The album starts off with no gimmics, as KRS-One is the first to rhyme as he introduces the album on "Bronx Tale". He keeps his grimy, street type flow momentum on most of the album as the L.E.S. produced "Fat Joe's In Town" and "Respect Mine" with the help of Wu-Tang's Raekwon who borrows a line from C.R.E.A.M. and uses it as the hook. Primo was busy too as he produced the better version of "Success" and "The S*** Is Real" both nice tracks. Joe himself would get behind the boards himseld and produce "Dedication" as he gives thanks to a lot of people. The album would finish off with the song "Bronx Keeps Creating It."

Most of this album is filled with real nice production some of an early/young Fat Joe's lyrics. I'd say the only two tracks I didn't like that much (not saying they were bad, put pushed the album in another direction) was "Envy" that uses elements from Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" and the origonal "Sucess." But other than that this album holds its own. I recommend this to fans of Fat Joe's work probably up until the year 2000, because this was one of his best albums.

Lyrics: A-
Beats/Sratches: A
Musical Vibes: B+
Overall: A-

Standout Tracks: Bronx Tale, Sh** Is Real, Success (DJ Premier Remix), Bronx Keeps Creating It