Fat Joe – The Darkside 3 (Mixtape)
In the post-Atlantic Records era, Fat Joe’s artistry has been perplexing. While the D.I.T.C. member has always put a song or two on every album to remind the Heads of his roots before becoming a household name, in recent years, he’s made some really grimy albums. 2010’s The Darkside was a really, really strong LP, as was ’08’s Elephant In The Room. As Joe heads to prison for a four-month bid over tax evasion charges, he leaves fans with The Darkside 3, following 2011’s sophomore freebie.
This mixtape boasts production from 9th Wonder and longtime associate DJ Premier, as well as Cool & Dre and the man who “discovered” Joe Crack: Diamond D. In a quiet year for mixtapes, this is right on time. We wish Joe a safe stay, and want more of this music to come upon his return. Download the tape here, or stream it below: