It looks like no one will be stealing Joey Bada$$’ day, as Kendrick’s anticipated April 7th release is simply an announcement for his new album—it will drop on April 14th. While I’m a little upset that we have to wait another seven-days for new K. Dot, it’s actually a blessing in disguise: we now have a full, unencumbered week to absorb Joey’s latest offering, ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$.
Joey began commanding the industry’s attention with his time travel-of-a-mixtape, 1999. On this project, we witnessed what it truly means to “be ahead of one’s time,” thanks to Joey’s absorption of Hip Hop’s Golden Era, and nostalgic regurgitation at the ripe age of 17. This ‘90s rap aesthetic was continued on successive projects, Summer Knights, and his studio album debut, B4.DA.$$.
Over two-years have passed since B4.DA.$$. Despite this absence, he’s remained in the limelight through individual song releases, including his contrived album single, “Devastated.” I respect what he was attempting with this track, but the ill-fitting pop-style suits him like a youngin trying on their dad’s sport coat. However, I appreciate him stepping outside his comfort zone—without failure, we can’t innovate.
On ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$, it seems like Joey is returning to his natural nostalgic form. One of his singles, “ROCKABYE BABY” featuring ScHoolboy Q released last week, shows him using his characteristic ‘90s flow to offer a gang-uniting rhetoric that devalues arbitrary street affiliations, in favor of reinstating a bond amongst black men. Based off the title, this album appears to be his 49-minute window to impart his socially conscious views on America’s political blunder.
With features from ScHoolboy Q, Nyck Caution, Kirk Knight, Meechy Darko, Styles P, Chronixx, and J. Cole, this melting-pot of guest talent poses a combination of artistic popularity and styles, and should interestingly texturize this project.
Stream ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ below: