Fat Joe’s an OG in the hip-hop game and has worked with some of the biggest artists in the music business. So while he championed Lil Wayne before every other rapper hopped on the bandwagon with last year’s “Make It Rain,” this go round he recruited R&B newcomer J. Holiday to guest on “I Won’t Tell,” the first single from his forthcoming album The Elephant In The Room. The song is rapidly rising up the charts and may just wind up being one of the bigger hits of Joe’s storied career. The video for “I Won’t Tell” just leaked, and Sucker Free was on hand at the shoot to talk with Don Cartagena about what went into making it.

SF: Throughout your career you’ve had a variety of party-oriented videos, how is the video for “I Won’t Tell” different?

FAT JOE: For this one I’m telling a story. This one’s showing my lifestyle with a feel good, love, special vibe, with a storyline! And a not so faithful girlfriend in the mix too!

SF: Why did you choose to work with rising R&B star J. Holiday on this song, what was the experience like, and what did he bring to the song?

FAT JOE: The kid is on FIRE! We are on the same label and I knew I HAD to work with him.

SF: DJ Khaled has seen his star rise over the past few years, and now he is in this video, as he’s in most of your videos, supporting the Don. What does your relationship with Khaled mean to you, and how does he contribute to the Fat Joe and Terror Squad movement?

FAT JOE: He is the logo of Terror Squad Records. He’s my brother. I love him to death and he supports everything Joe Crack does.

SF: What is the significance of your new album title The Elephant in the Room?

FAT JOE: Basically the room is hip-hop and I’m the elephant in that room. I’ve had multiple #1 hits and I am a problem you can’t ignore. I don’t get my justice. Belee dat.

SF: You have really embraced the independent label movement and made a successful transition from the majors. What situation do you prefer and why?

FAT JOE: I prefer being an indie much more than a major. I’m my own boss, own my own masters, ringtones, everything. You make more money being indie and it allows me to be as creative as I wanna.

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Chingy’s fourth album, Hate It Or Love It, hits stores today. A lot has changed in hip-hop since he hit the scene in 2003, and Chingy himself has had his fair share of ups and downs. He realigned himself with Ludacris’ Disturbing Tha Peace label earlier this year, and will appear on the crew’s upcoming compilation Strength In Numbers. But as for how he was able to regain control of his own destiny, he said,

“I’m just more involved in the business. More involved in the creative side. More involved in the decision making. As an artist, I think every artist wanna grow and be more involved in their projects…. more just trying to be a business man and a CEO about things. I’m just more involved like all around.”

Make sure you check out the album and see if his power moves paid off.

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As the holiday shopping season continues, good hip-hop and R&B music continues to hit the shelves. In stores today are the following:

Lupe Fiasco: The Cool- The follow-up to Lupe’s heavily bootlegged first LP, Food and Liquor, finds the Chicago emcee conceptually exploring darker concepts and musing on hip-hop’s current climate.

Chingy: Hate It Or Love It- The St. Louis-bred MC returns to Disturbing Tha Peace and is back in his comfort zone- playing to the ladies- with the album’s first single, “Fly Like Me” featuring Amerie.

Mary J. Blige: Growing Pains- Lead by the feel good single “Just Fine,” the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul delivers of strong set of uplifting cuts that’ll surely turn a frown upside down.

Jaheim: The Makings Of A Man- The Jersey crooner with the Teddy Pendergrass-ish voice drops his 4th LP seemingly out of of nowhere. The single “Never”, is out, though I have to admit I haven’t heard it anywhere. But Ja’s always delivered solid projects, so this should be a winner regardless.

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In an interview with Billboard.com, Jay-Z had the following to say when asked about who’s got next in hip-hop:

“The obvious choice would be Lil’ Wayne. That’s on the front of everyone’s mind unless you don’t include Kanye in the equation. I think everyone would agree that Wayne is the closest.”

In the interview, Jay also speaks at length about the future of his own career as a recording artist. He says,

“I have one album left, right? If I’m inspired to make that album, then my contract is done and I’m not in the music business anymore as far as being an artist. I can still make music. But how I reach people with that music … I can do anything with it at that point. It’s kind of exciting in a way. I’m not in the music business so I can drop a single every month. Who knows? The possibilities are endless — and without any pressure to sell anything. I could make whatever and do whatever with my music. Maybe the songs would just play in 40/40.”

Damn, that means we gotta go to 40/40 just to hear a Jay song? Wow, that’s selfish, Jay!

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According to Blackfilm.com, David Banner has recently been cast for the role of Biz Markie in the upcoming indie film The Vapors, about legendary rap collective, The Juice Crew. Banner will join singer Keke Palmer playing the role of Roxanne Shante; Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. playing Marley Marl; Jackie Long as Big Daddy Kane; Evan Ross as MC Shan; and Idris Elba as Fly Ty.

For some of the younger readers out there who may not know what The Juice Crew is, it was gang of talented MCs spearheaded by producer Marley Marl. “The Symphony,” which featured Masta Ace, Kool G. Rap, Big Daddy Kane and Craig G, is one of their most well-known cuts. Additionally, in the 80s, MC Shan engaged in a legendary battle with a then-unknown KRS-One over Shan’s song “The Bridge,” where he alleged hip-hop had started in Queens.

Filming of The Vapors is set to begin in January of ‘08 and Furqaan Clover is on board to direct. Marley, Roxanne, and Big Daddy Kane have all been tapped as executive producers of the film.

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