Joey Bada$$ — ALL AMERIKKKAN BADA$$
1-Listen Review
Only recently has Joey Bada$$ entered my prestigious world of artists that are constantly in my rotation. The release of his first single off this Album was the song titled “Devastated”, this sound peaked my interest. I could tell Joey was dipping his sound into a more mainstream flavor, a common recipe for an albums main single.
I wanted to hear more.
Next, Joey released “Front and Center”, a standalone single that maintains his sound better than his valiant attempt at a mainstream one. I really vibed with it. This single had some of Bada$$’s old sound, a bit of some new age evolved sound, with a sprinkle of mainstream to taste — incredible.
Then, Joey dropped his second single off of the album, titled “Land of the Free”. This is the song that has me drooling over the album I’m about to indulge in. Joey’s sound is so clear, everything he does is on display in a song I couldn’t stop listening to. You understand the message it carries in more than just his lyrics; phonaesthetically pleasing. With a defining theme that is to be carried throughout the album, my anticipation is very high now.
With King Kendrick’s release date being pushed back until April 14th, April 7th is all Joey Bada$$’s. This man has put in the work and deserves the total spotlight. Under that spotlight we will see the best Joey Bada$$ shine, the current one.
1-Listen Review of Joey BADA$$’s politically fueled, 2nd studio album
ALL AMERIKKKAN BADA$$.
Lets get it.
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- “GOOD MORNING AMERIKKKA”
“Free your mind” he says, I will Joey. Clap, clap. Older sounding beat pounding hard in your ears while joey spitting about what he feels necessary right now, staying woke and freedom. Sticking with the theme, shooting at Americas issues. Soundbite of a voice speaking about black man’s dream, a meaningful excerpt. Simple theme introducing intro.
2. “FOR MY PEOPLE”
There’s some synthesizer with a echoing voice which feels quite soothing. He’s Spitting again, woah. This man knows how to keep someone’s head bobbing. The echoing hook just resonates. Verses testing waters on some topics,seems to be him versus the world — can’t wait for him to dive in. Jazzy, with a saxophone and all. Synth overlay with that sax is sooooo soothing. Eases down to a stop; I’m not getting off the ride just yet.
3. “TEMPTATION”
Begins with a child speaking about being treated differently for his color, a rough truth. These beats are just different, jazzy, aged, yet very fresh — Joeys new sound. Lord can you help me. Keeping it upbeat but even more so melodic. More melodic than any old Joey tracks. The drop into the hook after his second verse is real funky. A CHOIR. God I’ve been loving choirs in hip-hop lately. Finishes up with another child speaking, “we shouldn’t have to protest”, “we should have rights”. Theme is maintained.
4. “LAND OF THE FREE”
Second single released, first on the album, I already love this one. Joey is pleading for a change in America, and it starts with us. Begins somewhat slow but you can feel the build up as he raps the hook. Very chill feel for a not very chill topic — he makes it work. Drops right into the hook then chill verse that builds again. This one really is a roller coaster. He captures his feelings in his words so well. He says what he says because he cares. Kids are playing at the very end — children are a reoccurring theme, their voices need to be heard?.
5. “DEVASTATED”
First single released, second on the album. Joey’s mainstream appeal is quite real, this probably could be more popular than it is. Melodic throughout, I love rapping along on this one. Now we on our way to greatness. Joey has evolved so much from day 1.
6. “Y U DON’T LOVE ME?” (MISS AMERIKKKA)
Nothing and then everything. Very busy beginning — Okay, I see where we’re going. First verse is personifying America as a women, “why you always misjudge me?”. Joeys got the softest beats for someone who raps so hard on them. His relationship with America is just tough love, interesting thought. This album isn’t condemning America, he wants them to work out and he knows change is what will make that happen. Joey’s a ride or die.
7. “ROCKABYE BABY” (feat. ScHoolboy Q)
Another single off the album but I haven't gave it a listen yet. Joeys got that grudge in his voice, hes about to say some nasty shit. FUCK DONALD TRUMP. This is some dark shit, is that Meechy Darko or Bada$$? This hook is fucking sick! ScHoolboy Q just saying his shit before he starts his verse. This beat is the first hard one on this album and it seems like it was made for Q. Glad this collab happened.
8. “RING THE ALARM” (feat. Nyck Caution, Kirk Knight, & Meechy Darko)
Speaking of my boy Meechy. Some sinister laughing to start — Joey starts rapping. Bass pounds in this one, another darker song. Never heard Nyck or Kirk so i’ll remain critical. Joey’s ability to spit impresses again and again. Meechy’s here, his presence is always obvious and dark. Nyck and Kirk are going bar for bar, I don’t know who’s who but this works well, both sound good. Meechy on the hook should be a thing more often in hip-hop.
9. “SUPER PREDATOR” (feat. Styles P)
Slowing it down now, sax again. That Dj scratching sound will never die and that’s not a complaint. Joey can spit hard or he can just flow like this, switchup. Here is Style P’s verse, starting well. Nothing crazy but it fit. Nothing special but,… wait joeys going back in. Joeys voice from Rockabye Baby compared to this soothing sound is so different, man’s versatile.
10. “BABYLON” (feat. Chronixx)
Begins with a harmonic voice like sounds in the back, some humming and then a police siren. This is different, Joey starts with the chorus and it sounds nice, his singing isn’t amazing but he makes it work. First verse, Joey just did some voice inflection that perked my ears right up. That grungy voice of his holds so much power. Chronnix comes in, he has a jaimaican/barbados sounding voice — sounds cool. Joey’s proposing that not much has changed from the slave days to current days, powerful. They gotta get away somehow, you better start running.
11. “LEGENDARY” (feat J. Cole)
Uhh-ohh, J. Cole. Drums are super nice, including that hi-hat in the back. This is a different kinda verse from Joey, changing up what hes doing constantly. He had to reach out. The hook is great, courtesy Joey. Cole’s arrived, they chill the beat out for his entrance and then the drums come right back. I got caught up in Cole’s words. He has a lot of questions that remain unanswered. I wanna point out that a trumpet found its way into this one, Jermaine seems to like them. Cool track by the two of them, not dissapointed.
12. “AMERIKKKAN IDOL”
Lets see how he concludes this. Woah, Joey the spitta going double time. Getting Richie like Lionel lol. This is a sound I expected, this is an outro. Oh, wait, beats switching up a bit. Added claps and drums banging around, its building. Some old Jay-Z lyrics found their way in here, the new King of New York repping the old one. Is that proclamation too soon? I don’t think so. This song keeps lingering around but hasn’t grown old. Joey begins speaking about the government in poetic form, I have genuine goosebumps. This man is the face of both rebellion and union. “Justice wont be served with a hashtag”. If you are reading this, please, please, listen to this song and the things this man is saying. I hear you Joey; I understand you. Wow. What a way to end an Album.
Overall this album seems very well done. I can tell you right now that I did enjoy it throughout and was hit with some things I did not expect. The overarching theme is maintained in a way that is captivating at all times while not drowning the listener in repetition. There are underwhelming sections but they may just need some more listens and deserve a better understanding.
Joey himself has grown into such a different artist than what he once was, and for the better. His fairly newfound versatility is showcased in ALL AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ in a plethora of ways, all that came across as genuine and not forced. This is my favorite Joey Bada$$ to date after only one listen. I am more than excited for what is to come.
“Can’t change the world if we don’t change ourselves.” — Joey Bada$$
