Don Cartagena

Last updated

Don Cartagena
Fat Joe Don Cartagena CD Cover.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 1, 1998 (1998-09-01)
Studio
Genre
Label
Producer
Fat Joe chronology
Jealous One's Envy
(1995)
Don Cartagena
(1998)
The Album
(1999)

Don Cartagena is the third studio album by American rapper Fat Joe. It was released on September 1, 1998 through Atlantic Records, Big Beat, Mystic Entertainment Group and Fat Joe's Terror Squad Productions. Production was handled by Armageddon, Baby Paul, Buckwild, Curt Gowdy, Dame Grease, DJ Premier, JAO, L.E.S., Mack 10, Marley Marl, Rashad Smith, Ski Beatz, Spunk Bigga, V.I.C. and Younglord, with Craig Kallman, Fat Joe and Greg Angelides serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from fellow Terror Squad members Big Punisher, Armageddon, Prospect, Cuban Link and Triple Seis, as well as Charli Baltimore, Jadakiss, Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Nas, Noreaga, Puff Daddy, Raekwon and Rell.

Contents

The album debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200, selling 106,000 copies in its first week. [1] On October 28, 1998, it was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over 500,000 units in the United States.

It was supported with two singles: "Don Cartagena" and "Bet Ya Man Can't (Triz)". Its lead single, "Don Cartagena", peaked at number 2 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 and number 40 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs in the US. The second single from the album, "Bet Ya Man Can't (Triz)", made it to number 54 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and also marked Fat Joe's first entry on the UK singles chart, reaching number 97. Both singles featured accompanying music videos. Though not released as a single, a music video for John Blaze was made.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Entertainment Weekly A− [3]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [4]
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]
The Source Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Spin 7/10 [7]
The Village Voice C+ [8]

Don Cartagena received generally favourable reviews from music critics. Matt Diehl of Entertainment Weekly praised the album, writing that Fat Joe's "blunt lyrical flow, infectious Latino pride, and appropriately ominous grooves make these gangsta tales explode like a sonic Scarface". [3] Soren Baker of Los Angeles Times called it "Joe's triumphant return project", adding "Joe largely sticks to ultra-violent lyrics and gangster story lines. The album's appeal rests largely on his ability to effortlessly mix gangsterism and braggadocio. Joe's menacing voice and thunderous production create a masterful musical atmosphere that thrills and intimidates", and resumed: "a superb blend of hard-core sounds and sensibilities, Don Cartagena places Fat Joe among rap's elite". [4]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Courtroom Intro"  Mack 10 1:03
2."The Crack Attack" L.E.S. 2:54
3."Triplets" (featuring Big Punisher and Prospect)
Dame Grease 3:48
4."Find Out" (featuring Armageddon)
Marley Marl 3:25
5."Don Cartagena" (featuring Puff Daddy)
Younglord 3:50
6."My World" (featuring Big Punisher) Baby Paul 3:57
7."John Blaze" (featuring Nas, Big Punisher, Jadakiss and Raekwon) Ski 4:50
8."Walk on By" (featuring Charli Baltimore and Rell) Buckwild 3:58
9."Dat Gangsta Shit"
DJ Premier 3:10
10."Bet Ya Man Can't (Triz)" (featuring Big Punisher, Cuban Link and Triple Seis)
JAO5:01
11."Misery Needs Company" (featuring Noreaga)
V.I.C.4:21
12."The Hidden Hand" (featuring the Terror Squad)
  • Cartagena
  • Rios
  • Delgado
  • Garcia
  • John Eaddy
  • Perez
  • Anthony Blagman
Spunk Bigga5:06
13."My Prerogative" (performed by Armageddon)EaddyArmageddon4:04
14."Good Times" (featuring Layzie Bone and Krayzie Bone) Rashad Smith 3:46
15."Terror Squadians" (featuring the Terror Squad)
  • Cartagena
  • Rios
  • Eaddy
  • Perez
  • Richard Pimentel
Kurt Gowdy5:07
Notes
Sample credits

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [13] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. Boehlert, Eric (September 9, 1998). "Hill Still on Top". Rolling Stone . Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  2. Gallucci, Michael. "Don Cartagena - Fat Joe | Album". AllMusic . Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  3. 1 2 Diehl, Matt (October 2, 1998). "Don Cartagena". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Baker, Soren (September 5, 1998). "* * * 1/2 Fat Joe, "Don Cartagena," Mystic/Big Beat/Atlantic". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  5. Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p. 296. ISBN   978-0-7432-0169-8 via Google Books.
  6. Osorio, Kim (October 1998). "Record Report: Fat Joe – Don Cartagena". The Source . No. 109. New York. p. 218.
  7. Gonzales, Michael A. (November 1998). "Reviews". Spin . Vol. 14, no. 11. SPIN Media LLC. pp. 136, 138. ISSN   0886-3032.
  8. Christgau, Robert (November 3, 1998). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice . Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  9. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  10. "The Billboard 200". Billboard . Vol. 110, no. 38. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. September 19, 1998. p. 106. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  11. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard . Vol. 110, no. 38. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. September 19, 1998. p. 42. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  12. "Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1998". Billboard . Vol. 110, no. 52. December 26, 1998. p. YE-50. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  13. "American album certifications – Fat Joe – Don Cartegena". Recording Industry Association of America.