A living legend in New York hip-hop, Fat Joe has a tenure that goes back to the days when the Diggin’ in the Crates Crew struck fear in the hearts of wack emcees across the five boroughs. One makes a lot of friends on the way to such a status, and the self-appointed Don Cartagena brings them out for his second co-headlining album since the 2016 single “All the Way Up” returned the veteran to the charts. While last time around he shared top billing with his Terror Squad associate Remy Ma, this time he connects with long-time accomplice Dre of Cool & Dre fame. The duo get considerable backup from old cohorts throughout the aptly titled Family Ties, tapping Eminem and Mary J. Blige for “Lord Above” and Lil Wayne for “Pullin’”. It’s hardly some nostalgia affair: Joey Crack calls up contemporary Latins Goin’ Platinum Anuel AA and Cardi B for “YES”, a characteristically brash rework of the Héctor Lavoe classic “Aguanile”.