Fat Joe Says “Dark Side” Content Inspired By Hardcore Fans, “I Tried To Make Them Happy”

Terror Squad leader Fat Joe has opened up about the inspiration behind his upcoming Dark Side.

According to Joe, the album features both commercial hit records and street tracks inspired by his fans.

“This album, I just wanted to take it to the streets crazy,” Joe said in an interview. “When I go on tour I see a lot of my fans that are real loyal. They all kept telling me, ‘Yo, Joe we want you to come back to the hardcore.’ I tried to make them happy so I just took it all the way to the dark side. I’m just trying to give ’em that balance of that real street gritty Fat Joe — the gangsta early Fat Joe — but at the same time who also knows how to make hit records.” (VIBE)

The solo effort will contain guest spots from Cam’ron, The Clipse and more.

“I got this sh*t called ‘Kilo,’ produced by Infamous, with me, the Clipse and Cam’ron. Bananas! I told you I was taking you to the dark side. N*ggas is going hard. N*ggas is going super hard. N*ggas will get this album and be like, ‘D*mn. Joe knows how to make the hard-core album of a lifetime.’ … I got my Just Blaze track today, so I’m excited. I got [DJ Premier], Just Blaze, Scram Jones. Me and Cool & Dre did this monster with Trey Songz. I’m real happy with the album, man. I’m like one or two gems away from wrapping the deal. I’m just trying to dumb out. [Producer] Buckwild gave me something ugly.” (MTV)

Earlier this year, Joe dropped his album’s first single, “Slow Down (Ha Ha)” featuring Young Jeezy.

“Congratulations Welcome to THE DARK SIDE!! The first single off my new album ft. Young Jeezy HAHA(Slow Down Son) YA ALL WELCOME!!!!,” he wrote Thursday (February 4). “Here is theClean Here is the dirty link again it I TOLD YA I WAS COMING WITH THAT MONSTER JOINT WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE!!!!! CRACK @Scoopdeville My brother that beat is a monster you see what me and jeezy did to that thing there !!!!!” (Fat Joe’s Twitter)

The rapper recently announced that he will release the new solo project through E1 Music.

“It’s been a long time coming,” he stated. “I have a long history with Alan Grunblatt and everyone at E1. Although it’s a small label, they have the best marketing and promotion staff in the hip-hop game and I’m looking forward to working with them on my new album, ‘The Dark Side.'” (E1 Press Release)

The Dark Side is scheduled to drop Tuesday, June 29th.

Check out a past Fat Joe interview down below: