Fat Joe returns from his brief retirement with “The World Changed On Me.”
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TOP 5 SONGS
5. Us (Ft. Remy Ma)
Who’s going to tell Chris Rock that Fat Joe isn’t black?
You know what? F**k it, Fat Joe is black to me. Anyway, one of the main reasons I enjoy this track is because it features an intro by Chris Rock that I thought was pretty powerful. From there, you get this bass-heavy, frantic beat that I love, a verse where Fat Joe pays homage to strong people from our community, and a competitive, aggressive, rebellious verse from Remy Ma that I absolutely enjoy.
4. Dog House
I would rather be in an actual dog house than a dog house in a relationship.
Fat Joe talks his talk in “Dog House.” Powered by a gentle beat with a nice tempo and some soulful elements, Joe raps about putting his woman in the dog house for having baggage he’s not trying to deal with. The kicker, though, is that she has a body he’s definitely feeling. Honestly, the beat alone should make you press play. From there, the catchy hook and Joe’s slick bars will likely hook you in.
3. The World Changed On Me
That’s how you f**king drive, Joe!
Honestly, “The World Changed On Me” is the only track on this album that feels like vintage Fat Joe. Backed by soulful production with a Just Blaze vibe, Joe puts his head down and straight raps, reflecting on all the dark s**t he did in the ’80s and how he’s had to adjust to today’s world. I love the hunger in his delivery, the occasional sharp wordplay, and the heartfelt chorus he lays down.
2. Paradise (Ft. Anitta & DJ Khaled)
They made this track on a plane, right?
If I had to guess, the beat for “Paradise” was pulled from a hard drive labeled “2000s beats,” as it has a nostalgic, old-school Pretty Ricky vibe. The good news is that DJ Khaled, Anitta, and Fat Joe bring a modern touch to the track. Khaled delivers energetic ad-libs, Joe offers playa-inspired verses about his charm and lavish lifestyle, and Anitta provides a sultry vocal performance reminiscent of Ashanti. Overall, the track is decent by today’s standards, but it would have been a hit back in 2005.
1. I Got You (Ft. Babyface)
I didn’t see this collaboration coming at all…
They simply don’t make hip-hop love songs like this anymore. In “I Got You,” Fat Joe showers his woman with heartfelt compliments, pledges of passion, and grand gestures. Meanwhile, Babyface adds his signature touch, singing about fulfilling wishes and staying devoted.
This track runs on a Drake-like beat—gentle, smooth, and carrying an easygoing rhythm with just the right amount of punch. Over it, Fat Joe delivers confident, straightforward raps, while Babyface blesses the song with a simple yet sensual chorus that adds a touch of intimacy. While their styles don’t blend perfectly, there’s no denying that they each bring something valuable to the track individually.
SONG-BY-SONG RATING
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RGM RATING
(D+) (69%)
Do you know what I love? The fact that some of these rap guys are realizing that they’re just as good at talking about hip-hop as they are at actually rapping. Fat Joe is one of those people I’m talking about. I absolutely love hearing him talk on interviews and podcasts, sharing his insight into what he sees today. It hits differently because he’s been in the game for so long. That said, this album reminded me he might be better off staying retired— and I mean that with all respect.
I just felt like The World Changed On Me featured a version of Fat Joe that’s trying to chase today’s sounds, which ends up making songs that should be excellent sound slightly inauthentic. To be specific, there are moments on the album where Fat Joe tries to flirt with flows that should be left to the younger generation, beat switches that fall flat, and just a level of copycatting that made me roll my eyes (Dre really annoys me with how he blatantly steals other people’s swag). That being said, I do think Joe has some good moments in the album. He still shows great command over the beats like he did in the past, delivers meaningful lyrics, and brings good energy to the table. All in all, I just wish this album felt more original.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
