Joey Bada$$’s Next Album Is A Sequel To His Classic Mixtape
In June of 2012, Joey Bada$$ launched what has become a highly-respected catalog with 1999. The mixtape from the Brooklyn, New York MC helped usher in the Pro Era movement, with appearances by Capital STEEZ, CJ Fly, Chuck Strangers, Kirk Knight, Nyck Caution, Dessy Hinds, and more. As a 17-year-old at the time, Joey showed an appreciation for those who came before him, including Boot Camp Clik, D.I.T.C., and Hieroglyphics. He recycled beats from Metal Face, as well as J Dilla, and Lord Finesse—while creating original work with Statik Selektah. In 2018, Joey brought a version of the acclaimed mixtape to the digital streaming platforms.
In recent years, Joey has been expanding his sound. His last two albums, 2015’s B4.DA.$$ and 2017’s All-Amerikkkan Badass, showed an artist who carried his roots while flirting with mainstream-minded production and choruses. Both albums reached the Top 5 of the charts. The success intersected with Joey’s Oscar-winning acting career (including portraying Inspectah Deck in the Wu-Tang: An American Saga), modeling, and serving as a Creative Director for PONY.
Joey Bada$$’s Interview About His 1999 Mixtape (Video)
On the fifth anniversary of 1999, Joey Bada$$ had an in-depth discussion with Joe Budden and the team at Everyday Struggle. The MC explained how he remained an extension of that tape. For 2022, he’s showing it with music. This week, Bada$$ revealed that his next album is a sequel, 2000, with a video trailer. In the visual, Joey revisits his skateboarding days—something highlighted in 1999‘s artwork and videos.
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The album will arrive on June 17, the 10-year-anniversary of 1999. It corresponds with a cross-country American tour, beginning July 1. The Ambrosia For Heads‘ playlist currently includes, “Head High.” This is the presumed first single from 2000, produced by Statik Selektah, who also contributed to 1999.
Joey Bada$$ Brings Back Rap City’s Booth With Beast Coast & Big Tigger (Video)
In an interview with XXL‘s Aleia Woods this month, Joey Bada$$ explained, “This is one of my favorite songs that I’ve ever recorded. This is an essential, one of the greatest, most mature, heartfelt records that I’ve ever written. I talk about my relationship with [XXXTentacion], and I just highlight a little bit on gun violence and Rap music and how it pertains to what’s going on. The senseless killings and brothers getting incarcerated. It’s just an important song, and I’m excited to get it out because nobody is putting sh*t out like this right now.”
Asked about upcoming album guests, Badmon detailed, “As far as producers go, I got my boys on there: Statik Selektah, Kirk Knight. I got a Cardo joint on there. I got a Mike WiLL [Made-It] joint on there. I’m supposed to be getting in with DJ Premier this week ’cause I told him I can’t complete this album if we don’t link up.” Preemo previously handled video single “Unorthodox,” before Joey appeared on PRhyme bonus song, “Golden Era.”
Statik Selektah Explains What We Have To Do To Protect Hip-Hop
Today (May 12), Joey also appeared in a Funkmaster Flex freestyle video. Over Mobb Deep’s Q-Tip-produced “Give Up The Goods (Just Step)” instrumental, Badmon spits, “I’m back; I’m better than I’ve ever been / I took five years off, still, somehow I’m relevant / Trust, these ni**as don’t want to see me in my element / Trust, every room I’m steppin’ in, I’m the elephant / Kill ’em all effortless / Call the sh*t hood elegance / Sophisticated ignorance; I ain’t got good etiquette.”
#BonusBeat: A 2012 Ambrosia For Heads interview with Joey Bada$$ about 1999: