If This Freestyle Is Any Indicator, Joey Bada$$’ New LP Will Be Incredible (Video)
Come April 7, Joey Bada$$ will have released All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ (A.B.B.A.), the Brooklyn rapper’s follow-up to his 2015 debut album, B4.Da.$$. At just 22, Joey is touted as not only one of the most promising of his generation, but he’s gotten co-signs (and collabs) with some of Hip-Hop’s most seasoned, including DJ Premier, J Dilla, Statik Selektah, and more. A.B.B.A. will see some more huge collaborations for the Pro Era leader, though perhaps mostly significant of a younger influence. J. Cole, ScHoolboy Q, and Styles P are some of the names featured on the forthcoming album’s track list, though the LP’s singles thus far (“Devastated” and “Land of the Free”) are solo joints.
Joey Bada$$’s Mad Max-Inspired Video Shows Tupac Was His Biggest Influence
All signs point to the album shaping up to be an incredible effort, but of course, that won’t be solidified for a few weeks. However, the energy with which Joey delivered a recent freestyle suggests that he is in a sweet spot creatively, which in turn suggests A.B.B.A. will be his most mature and focused work to date. Visiting LA Leakers, Joey dropped what is arguably one of his best freestyles, and all atop an unlikely backdrop. Metro Boomin’s beat for Future’s “Mask Off” serves as inspiration and he spares not a moment before spitting. “Finally, got a piece of the profit/Wine and cheese, and a seat by the cockpit/I ain’t mean for your bitch to be watchin’/I ain’t mean, she kept eyein’ me,” he begins. By the time it’s all over, he’s switched up his flow with remarkable dexterity, and for a significant portion, he doesn’t even blink.
Now available for pre-order, All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ will undoubtedly be celebrated by his fans. But will it showcase proof that, as Joey himself suggested, he’s a better rapper than Tupac?