Jack Major
Staff Writer
Known as a sociopolitical, intricate lyricist Joey Bada$$ delivers his most influential album to date, “All-Amerikkkan Bada$$”. The strong overarching message, exciting production, and intriguing hooks combine to make an entertaining and successful album.
Joey Bada$$, born Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott, is a 22-year old rapper, producer, actor, and social activist from Brooklyn, New York. He is known as a skilled lyricist with a sound reminiscent of the 1990s Golden Age of Hip Hop.
Photos: Joey Bada$$ performing live and posing for photo shoots
“All-Amerikkkan Bada$$” was co-released by Pro Era and Cinematic Music Group on April 7 to critical acclaim. It features production from up-and-coming New York producers Kirk Knight, and Statik Selektah, with features from artists including J Cole and Schoolboy Q.
In the beginning half of the album, Joey Bada$$ embraces his role as a voice of his generation of black Americans and criticizes the racism and inequality that black people face in this day. On songs including “Land of the Free” and “For My People” he criticizes the corruption in the government and the racial bias in the dishonest members of the police force engaging in police brutality giving the album a refreshing thought-provoking vibe.
Joey Bada$$’s Official Website
The production on the album was executively produced by Bada$$ but is mainly handled by Kirk Knight and Statik Selektah. The first half features a heavy drum backing with jazz influences which is evident on the song “Temptation” while the second half features a more bass-heavy selection with looping drum kits creating a more modern tone allowing the album to blend two different eras of hip hop in an intriguing way.
Perhaps the album’s strongest aspect was the thought-provoking and catchy hooks featured throughout the album. On the track “Temptation” he refers to all of the things in his daily life that tempt him and how he must stay strong to resist the urges. This shows him coming to terms with himself and understanding what is best to allow him to stand up for his people.
Video: Joey Bada$$ releases his second single “Land of the Free” and its accompanying video on March 2 from Brooklyn, New York. This is also the second music video he released before his album.
Throughout his short career, Joey Bada$$ has been a leader of the lyrical renaissance in rap music and he does not change this on his newest album. He manages to retain his rhyming technicality while expanding his impact to a more political stance, resulting in his most cohesive album to date. Bada$$ sees himself as somewhat of a “chosen one” whose purpose in life is to be a vessel representing the everyday life of a black citizen in the United States. The listener hears his struggles to accept his role in the beginning of the album, but as he comes to accept it, it makes the listener admire the cause. The excellent overarching message, the fascinating production, and interesting hooks provide for one of Bada$$’s best albums to date.
Free Streaming “All-Amerikkkan Bada$$”
The album is available on all major streaming services including Apple Music and Spotify and is available for purchase on iTunes for $9.99.
Leave a Reply