Joey Bada$$

Nowadays in the genre of Hip Hop it’s pretty rare that I find myself impressed with any artists coming up. Although, within NYC’s most populated borough of Brooklyn inhabiting over two million residents, someone special is bound to arise. That special someone is Joey Bada$$.

My eye was caught by this young talent when watching BET’s hip hop awards 2012 cypher, where he was featured alongside fellow up and comers ASAP Rocky, Childish Gambino, female artist Angel Haze, and Driicky Graham (known for “Snapbacks & Tattoo’s song) not necessarily for his verse but for his young image and stage name I found difficult to ignore. After hearing his name come up in conversations regarding music with listeners in his age group I went on a mission to check him out. Doing so I came across an impressive live performance on YouTube he did a little over a month ago on the Jimmy Fallon late night show. I found myself repeating the video over and over to hear the beginning verse he recited from his song “Wavy” off his “1999” mixtape. He states “Since 95’, momma been working 9-5, and I know the landlord fed up with our lies, so we pray to the gods, the jah’s, and the allah’s, to keep us safe and watch our lives” Coming from anyone is amazing but it’s a little more interesting when a line like that comes from a 17 year old kid. Joey Bada$$ is truly a raw talent with growth potential.

After listening to his 1999 mixtape it’s no surprise why he’s already gotten comparisons to Nas when QB’s own dropped illmatic. Through 90’s esque beats Bada$$ gives listeners a breath of fresh air with an old school hip hop feel uncommonly heard today. You know an artist is truly new when a Wikipedia bio of them is non-existent, but with the talent in which Bada$$ encompasses it wont be long until the Pro Era (Progressive Era) representative goes from new to known. Check him out and see for yourself

Alano