Over the last fifteen years, the widespread belief that hip-hop is dominating the radio station playlists and selling the hit singles that we hear booming through the loudspeakers at dance parties and sporting events, is in fact a misconception since the turn of the century. Rap is flourishing, but hip-hop is all but in the rear-view mirror. There is a difference between the two.
Rap is the music that we hear playing on the radio today. The Lil Wanyes, the T.I.s and the Drakes, to name a few. Hip-hop, on the other hand, is the old school rhyming that consumed the 90’s through the voices of The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, A Tribe Called Quest and Dr. Dre, which was somewhat forgotten about once the 50 Cents and Chamillionaires started to sprout. However, hip-hop is making a furious comeback with Kendrick Lamar being the shepherd for the genre’s resurrection. Now there’s a new name to be keeping track of, and that’s Joey Bada$$.
Joey Bada$$ is a 20-year-old MC and co-founder of hip-hop collective Pro Era from Brooklyn. Joey Bada$$ has gained acclaim for his throwback style of rapping on his mixtapes “1999” and “Summer Knights.”of Some pajor influences are Nas, Jay-Z, MF DOOM and J Dilla. With Joey’s powerful, very personal rhyming, he looks to keep the resurgence of hip-hop going and his debut LP, “B4.DA$$” (pronounced “Before the Money”), is certainly putting the rap game on notice.
“B4.DA.$$” launches to the stratosphere immediately with “Save the Children.” With its euphoric instrumental layered by a section of horns, Joey’s vocals are the icing on the cake.
Rapping about life in the hood, “It's all a hidden history, and mysteries, I see vividly, hysteria, Cause misery on the interior.”
Later on comes one of the more nostalgic tracks on “B4.DA.$$,” “Curry Chicken.”IIts playful hi-hat beat and turntable scratches that conquered the hip-hop of the 90’s displays Joey’s appreciation and commitment to hip-hop and rapping, “First things first is I been rehearsing these verses, In hopes that I hit the surface and keep myself afloat.”
Some more highlights from “B4.DA.$$” include the hard-hitting “Paper Trail$,” the dark, anti-police track “Like Me” featuring BJ the Chicago Kid and the furious “Big Dusty.” A can’t-miss from this modern hip-hop classic is the catchy “Hazeus View.” The song is more or less a threat to the rap game, warning, “I keep the bombs in my basement, When I detonate you can feel the vibrations, I got ya mind shaking and in my right my light gon spark for generations,” overlays the menacing track’s sparkling piano beat.
“B4.DA.$$” is about as good of a debut as a young hip-hop artist can have. Having the confidence to call out the entire rap game and warn them of the coming whirlwind of hip-hop dominance is a risky, yet courageous move, especially coming from a 20-year-old Brooklyn kid, but Joey Bad backs it up in a huge way.
If you like the old school hip-hop that dominated the boom box era of the 90’s, “B4.DA.$$” will be an instant classic for you with Joey’s raw, yet clever wordplay and unforgettable instrumentals. Though this isn’t the kind of record that features massive hit-makers like Rihanna or Eminem, this is the kind of record that you can play from start to finish and completely lose yourself to (get the Eminem reference?). Joey Bada$$ is without a doubt a force to be reckoned with and he shows that off in a convincing fashion with his debut effort.
My rating: 8/10
