Recap: Fat Joe The Darkside, Vol. 1 Album Release Party at SOBs

Last night, Fat Joe performed live at SOB’s for what was ostensibly a celebration of the release of his new album, The Darkside, Vol. 1. What really took place, however, was a tribute to a hip-hop veteran 18 years in the game and 10 albums deep.

When Don Cartagena first stepped on stage, wearing a simple black tee and matching fitted cap, it was a regal and powerful entrance, captivating the audience as “Heavenly Father,” his most recent collaboration with Lil Wayne, played over the speakers. But rather than launch right into material off The Darkside, Joe took us back to his Relativity days with undisputed classics like “Success” and “The Sh*t is Real Remix.” He then gave a humorous yet sincere shout out to Rob “Teef” Tewlow, declaring, “I love you, man. You made me rich.”

Joe then looked out into the crowd and asked, “Y’all want ‘Lean Back’?” Before the crowd could respond, he bellowed, “Then get the f*ck out!”

“Y’all want ‘We Thuggin’?” he continued. “‘Make It Rain’? Then get the f*ck out!” Joe went on to tell the crowd that he was keeping it gutter for the evening. He talked about how he’d performed at SOB’s and The Apollo early in his career. “Champ four weeks in a row,” he said. “Do you know what it’s like to see n*ggas you done robbed and shot at cheer for you?”

One of the amazing things about last night’s show was the incredible lineup of special guests who came to support and perform with Joe, including Redman, Diamond D, Buckshot, Jeru the Damaja, Mic Geronimo, M.O.P., and Just Blaze. Opening acts included Dipset soldier Vado and Philly freestyle fanatic Cassidy.

The highlight of the evening, however, was Joe’s rowdy performance of “Twinz,” assisted by Joell Ortiz. The two MCs actually leapt into the crowd, and Ortiz spit Pun’s classic “Little Italy” verse with amazingly effortless aplomb. It was a scene straight out of a street corner cypher.

Several times during the show, Joe paid respect to both Big Pun and Big L. He told an amusing anecdote of how Big L once told Joe he would be shown no mercy on a collaboration they were working on, prompting Joe to step his lyrical game up. “I’ll take all your fans,” Joe was told.

Joe also announced his immense displeasure that Pun never gets the acclaim that other top tier MCs receive and asked the crowd to acknowledge and remember that Pun was one of the best to ever spit.

And to make for a fitting end to the show, legendary producer DJ Premier came on stage and helped Joe pay homage to Guru while “I’m Gone” played. “F*ck that,” Joe said. “I’m GangStarr!”

Fat Joe was in rare form last night. “SOB’s, it ain’t safe no more,” he announced several times throughout the show. His mission was to return to his roots, to the streets, and to create and perform the raw hip-hop music that launched his storied career. It seems that he may have done so with The Darkside, and if last night is any indication, his fans are more than willing to support his movement.