Joey Bada$$ wanted April 7th to be remembered as Global Hip Hop Appreciation Day. We believed that Kendrick Lamar was dropping an album (or something) on the same day as releases from Bada$$, Tech N9ne, and Allan Kingdom. April 7th marked the late Tupac Shakur’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by his Death Row Records labelmate Snoop Dogg. To Joey, these historical markers need to be celebrated like Record Store Day or The Notorious B.I.G. Day in Brooklyn.
With K. Dot ending up announcing his album release for April 14th, Joey is left to relish in his own moment. He has gone through some tough tribulations in the last four years, dealing with the loss of Pro Era member Capital STEEZ and his two cousins Junior B Fly and Rell Shank. In an earlier interview with Hot 97, he responded about their guidance: “They’ll just tell me to keep doing what you doing. And that’s what keeps me stronger and what keeps me motivated.” Through these sad moments, Joey has kept a positive outlook on life as he forged his career as New York’s torchbearer for ‘90s nostalgia and lyrical substance. After scoring a Top 5 Billboard debut with his first album B4.Da.$$, he returns more mature and wiser on ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$. Following a lineage of Hip Hop artists calling out America’s fraudulence (refer to the OG Ice Cube’s album AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted and STEEZ’s AmeriKKKan Korruption), Joey uses his platform and voice to support the anti-Trump movement while schooling millennials on the unfair treatment of Blacks in this country. By addressing ongoing contemporary issues head on, it shows his fearlessness in telling it like it is.
ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ is a needed Hip Hop album in 2017. Since YG led the march in protest anthems with “FDT” (F**k Donald Trump), we’re seeing a shift in more rappers being outspoken against injustice and creating music to uplift communities. It’s the first time Joey has gotten political on one of his albums, tackling the government and the rise of white nationalism with a laser-sharp focus. “FOR MY PEOPLE” is an earworm that puts this question into the world: “Who will take a stand and be our hero for my people?” Frankly, it’s not easy to answer, but Joey seems to take matter into his own hands: “Music is a form of expression, I’ma use mine just to teach you a lesson,” he raps, using an analogy of his microphone as a weapon to get his message across. On “LAND OF THE FREE,” he emphasizes there’s three K’s and two A’s in America, delivering eye-opening lines about Trump’s presidency (“Obama just wasn’t enough, I just need some more closure/And Donald Trump is not equipped to take this country over”) and systematic racism. “In the land of the free, it’s full of free loaders/Leave us dead in the street to be their organ donors,” he laments on the hook.
Compared to B4.Da.$$, Joey gathers a familiar cast for his sophomore set as Pro Era’s Chuck Strangers, Kirk Knight, and Powers Pleasant carry on tradition of smooth boom-bap instrumentals with an updated aesthetic. Statik Selektah, one of Joey’s earliest beatmakers, offers head-nodding grooves on “SUPER PREDATOR” and “LEGENDARY” while DJ Khalil and 1-900 round out the album. Joey seems confident in punching above his weight class, gathering veterans Styles P, ScHoolboy Q, and J. Cole to deliver exciting verses (yes, J. Cole delivered an “exciting” verse) to soak up and dissect. “ROCKABYE BABY” is the winner out of his collaborative effort as it features Q making bold statements about gang culture on the East Coast (“I’m part of the reason they still Crippin’ out in Brooklyn”). But more importantly, Joey sounds right at home in Q’s dark environment, with their unbounded chemistry setting them up for a bigger fan reaction if they cut another record together.
If Kendrick did release his album on the same day as Joey, we’d be having a different discussion about two conscious rappers in their prime going head-to-head in a sales battle. Yes, that “Control” verse was years ago, but it doesn’t take away from the fact Joey felt a way about his notorious “King of New York” line and responded promptly on “Killuminati Pt. 2.” ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ shows an ample amount of growth for a socially aware rapper discussing heavy issues. It shouldn’t be surprising that Joey talks about working on multiple projects in his interviews at one time, transitioning into another chapter of adulthood and thinking about what to say next. With a magnum opus yet to be written, Joey’s finally in a space as an artist where he can snatch the crown from the competition.
Solid from front to back. I only wish there were two more songs on here since Devastated and Land of the Free were out for a while. The influence Pac has is evident here, in terms of being conscientious. For My People, Temptation are anthems.
Expected this album to be trash but was strongly shocked by the greatness which came from it, authentic hip hop with a political feel to it, now that this is out of the way, can we get a Pro Era Project
Straight Fire!!!
This album surprised me. Some hard ass production on here, still not all that impressed with Joey Bada$$’s lyricism but he definitely showed up on most these tracks.
His best album yet.
best album so far this year. but that aint saying much. in todays standards i give it a 5/5.
definitely what hip hop needs at the moment with it keeping up the momentum of a tribe called quests latest album. lets keep the momentum going and bring hip hop to where it needs to be.
Ive been listening to the album for the past few days. Its his best album yet, I like it a lot. Joey Badass is one of those artists that makes you love Hip Hop.
Good album all-around. Every track is worth listening to. No need to skip any of them. Just hit play and let it ride.
I really liked the album. It’s the first complete project that I have heard from him. And I was not disappointed. Good content, bars, wordplay, and a decent flow.
Before I clicked on this review I said “Bet this is a 4.2.” You could guess a DX rating from a mile away within 0.1.
Lame-Oz
amerikkkan dumba$$ ?
has serious potential to be a great if he works on his craftjoeys lryics r on point but his hooks are trash and his song making ability that makes you want to repeat the song are slim.
Definitely his dopest project yet.
Extremely good album. Legendary, Rockabye Baby, Amerikkkan Idol are my favorites
joey’s best and most complete work. up there with tribe and RTJ3 as the most important trump era hiphop. 5/5
To the dudes reading this; do the culture a favor a support quality Hiphop an Be Healthy while doing it
Amazing. Joey always releasing great HIP HOP.
Calling it. Classic.
This album is needed in a time like this with everything going on. Joey really shows his progression as an artist in this album and what other ways he is musically capable of. There is not one bad song on this album in my opinion. The flow of the album is smooth, and is very original and authentic. This is REAL hip-hop and REAL music right here. This is a thinker’s ART. And I believe that he should be credited much more for the ART he puts out and be in the same conversation with Kendrick Lamar and J.Cole. The man is ONLY 22 years old for crying out loud and is showing maturity beyond his age. Bada$$ Album.
Crazy ass album 5/5.
5/5
Truly stunning and a masterpiece…joey has out done himself and created a timeless classic….hip hop truly needed this…k dot was right everybody had till 4/7 to get their shit together and its that great i dont think k dot will top it….no one will this yr….this is the most important hip hop album in the last 15yrs….facts
This ain’t 90’s music this just beautiful. Don’t label it just love it.
Album is fire, tight package!
Joey Garbage A$$ should be his name . His music is Trash . Old dated flows and dated tracks .
This album will flop might go wood . I’m not impressed .
Great album. This iS just good music.
Great album
Stop throwing the word “classic” around you idiots. This is a good album, even great. Def NOT a classic after a few days in. Only time will tell.
Yeah niga
??✊?
Flames. Fire. Lit. This shit epic. We should support this man’s music
I always try to give dude a chance.. everyone always talks about how good he is but i always find myself not really feelin it.. sorry
I like this record. Better than his last one. I respect his ambition and the political concept here. The singles are too poppy for me but the rest of the record is pretty great.
Dope
Never really listened to joey badass before this but gave it a listen and loved it. One of the best young rappers out there.
Okey am I the only one not feeling this album? funny thing is, I’ve loved every project he’s dropped before this one. I was so dissapointed with this album. It got a “poppy” sound to it and he’s taken a step away from that ol’ school sound many people love him for. Maybe he wants to break the charts and reach the bigger stages. A shame imo. Never gonna give up on Joey though. Peace.
I struggled for a couple of days trying to convince myself that it was a pretty good album and I listened back to 93 til infinity, Christ conscious and old joey shit like that… finally 2 or 3 tracks it is worth saving on this unexciting album.
Love it
5/5
Omg. This album is beautifully built. Love every song but the TuanDon produced tracks are sick. This guy is a hip hop phenominon.
As a female MC I loved Joe’s approach and his love for women’s rights. TuanDon should have produced his entire album. And how gorgeous is that man. Uhhh!!
Mr. Antuan “Tuandon” Jones might be the best hip hop producer on the east coast. His work on this album is heaven. Keep making North Carolina proud. When are you and J.Cole going to do something???
Well I thought I was listening to a generic To Pimp A Butterfly tbh
Just wanted to say that Antuan’s beats are as handsome as he is. Wink wink
Why women have to talk about men’s looks instead of his work. Rosie he did do his thing on this album though. Joey’s skills are at a new height. Awesome music will do that to you….
All the producers on this project were amazing. Joey thank you for this gift. Wonder if Trump will troll this album.
Joey B. Dope album my dude. Keep TuanDon in your production. Yo we have got to work my G. You did it again!!
Who is this TuanDon producer. He’s dope as fuck!!! Need to hear more of his stuff. Righteous album.
Joey my amazing brother keep hip hop strong 1 album at a time.
Awesome work Joey. This album is one I can be proud of. Tell TuanDon I need dem beats, asap.
Joey, my brother, my man. It was awesome working with you lil bro. I’ve watched you evolve in a monster on the mic. Keep doing you. Be on the look out for my next project with my brother Antuan, Pat, and E.Jones
It appears TuanDon is getting just as much love for producing this album as Joey Bada$$. At any rate I love all the production on this album. My favorite song is the Land of the Free.
Hello there hiphopDx do ur all knees hurt at ur website because u guys have been blowing joey badass for a long time now, this is an OK album nothing I would play over again. And JOEY BADASS IS AN OK artist. Please stop jocking joey. Freddie gibbs fucking killed it on his short album he just released and Kodak black dropped a very high quality album that u fucks ignore and instead u talk about this bad ass rapper. He’s just ok anyone who dick rides enjoy the ride but he is not that good. And I’m giving a super generous 3 out of 5 because joey does try but compared to his contemporaries in the rap game, Kodak, gangsta Gibbs, Kendrick, westside gunn, schoolboy q ab soul, Royce da 5’9, Isaiah rashad, JID, j cole, bas, Levi carter. any of these muthafuckas will get my attention way before joey.
how are you gonna put kodak and kendrick in the same list thats like me saying my favorite foods are lobster and skittles kodak isn’t shit he just blew up and he went mainstream but its not my placeto judge
Lol another John mulaney fan, respect
I hope it changes as much lifes as it needs to to get this country back on its way, it is for sure capable of this
Sounds pretty preachy to me, it is too bad these celebrity rapper millionaires live in a bubble and have no idea what it is like to be part of the poor/working class who pay the taxes to afford government aid programs for Americans… I can’t think of anything worse than when hiphop gets involved with politics. You saw what happened with Hillary and her buddy the once super predator Jay-Z. This website itself should not mention the word politics, it takes the first amendment and shits on it by censoring and deleting posts which are contrary to the views of the staff and parent company CheriMedia.
How the fuck is Joey rich? He came from poverty and is a struggling independent artist. You are clearly jealous and a hater.
See above response to the other uninformed moron. Thanks.
This is the dumbest fucking post I have read in a while. Congratulations. First of all, Joey BadA$$ may have money now, but if you think he was born with a silver spoon and doesn’t know what it is like to be poor/working class, then you are a moron. Second, the first amendment protects free speech from GOVERNMENT restriction, not a private website. SMH FOH.
yes they are shitting on the first amendment, the government is not the only entity which is capable of encroaching on a person’s constitutional rights. it takes place all over and the acceptance of biased censorship puts the citizens at risk. 1984 brother, read it. Raised in Brooklyn during the in early 2000s, Brooklyn is one of the most expensive and nicest places to live, next to Manhattan… He went to Edward R. Murrow High School for the Arts, you need money to go there…, sounds like a pretty cushy lifestyle. Are you suggesting his struggle is more than that of a rich white child?
legendary
As much as B4Da$$ was a dope album with replay value, this is utter trash. Unlistenable, people these days are so easily impressed.
Couldn’t agree more. Writing a few average bars name dropping Donald Trump seems to be a more effective way of blowing up than producing decent tracks.
just because its a different style doesn’t mean its bad.
Joey worked with all his in house producers but TuanDon of Jamala shows the most promise. They are like the wonder twins when they collaborate. This album is political, real life fire!!!
THA GOD FAHIM…………………… that is all
Epic. Joey BA and the great production = madness on the mic. Complete effort. Good to see Tuindon of the Soul Council is back at it. His beats are addictive.
I thought it was an incredibly well done album. You get the serious political songs but you also get the nice chill smoke tunes. Great production.
Young boy is dropping knowledge. He’s way more socially conscious and wise beyond his years. Looking forward to what’s next from the young MC
all I got to do say dont ever call Q and Cole Vets in the same sentence as styles P its disrespectful and dont you need more than a few albums to be a called a VET?! fucking amateurs
In sports (and similarly in music) a vet is someone who has carved a niche and managed to stay in the industry for several years. Both those artists meet that criteria so fuck off. In the same sentence they will call Lebron a vet and Kevin Love a vet.
Dope Album with Real substance
Question and answer:
What is a rapper doin when he starts at hardcore, but can’t sell enough records to remain in the record buisness?
Answer:
He goes pop……
I only came here to say I like the new Joey Bada$$ record more than Kendrick’s. They are both nice but this Joey album hits that level. First time I can say that the Bada$$ outperformed K Dot for me.
dope
This for my people trying to stay alive and just stay peaceful so hard to survive in a world so lethal. Who will take a stand and be our Hero? Out the gate Joey BA sets the tone of addressing the issues faced by most minorities and anyone feeling oppressed. The message is clearly conveyed and the single “devastated” resonates as a groovy track that anyone can vibe to, backed by good production this project shows growth from his initial B4 da $$ album. Solid 4.3/5 in my opinion.
This is the legacy of Gil Scott Heron and Marvin Gaye in modern Hip Hop form. This is a classic record.
Joey Bada$$ is GOAT
one of my fav albums so far
dope
This album is a great listen until you concentrate on the lyrics content, I am not into that social and political mumbling but its dope beats, flows and hooks still make me want to go back and listen to it again so I guess it is a fun experience for everyone no matter what you into. Will bump this in my car for a few weeks, solid 4 out of 5
Surprisingly better than I expected from my fellow Brooklynite. The social/political theme is refreshening among today’s mumble and auto-tune rap. Production is on point. The only disappointment for me is the rather lackluster J. Cole feature – I was hoping for more, but can’t completely complain. #BrooklynSalute
wack
trash
This is one of my favorite albums ever to be honest I would rate this a 5 star. The message is deep and the rap is amazing. He is so underrated. One of the best man.
Fire
Dope music, substance and technical skills. Everything that’s needed in hip hop. An excellent and necessary rap album.
Not bad, but I preferred his first album.
Better than Kendrick’s album
Best Hip Hop album of 2017
yaaaas
A big growth in Joeys music
I gave it a 4.9 when I went through track by track, which is pretty much a 5/5. I’m in love with this album.
IMO this album better than damn
Damn-4
AAB-4.5 got to round up tho
Joey has a great future and this album just will bring him into the best lyricists of the 2010s discussion
Probably deserves AOTY right now, wayyyyy better than DAMN. 5/5
Best album in 2017 as of now.
This album is so tough, but all his music is. This album sounds like all of his previous projects so I’m glad Joey finally getting his props. He’s up there with the top guys in the game bc the music is high quality.
One of the most polished albums I’ve heard in a while. Joey slept on for real!!!
Such a great hip-hop record. Loving the old-school style boom-bap production on here. Really nice to get a break from today’s trap rap. Thanks Joey! I own this on CD too.