Joey Bada$$

When a teenage rapper breaks onto the scene everybody knows about. This is partially because gaining popularity at such a young age is an impressive feat. On the other hand a teenage rapper tends to remind you how old they are at every turn, whether it be explicitly through their lyrics or more subtly through their evident inexperience. Joey Bada$$ is 17 years old, but don't for a second think that he fits the mold of other rappers his age. Truly talented beyond his years, Joey, born Jo-Vaughn Scott, hails from Brooklyn, a city with more than a mediocre rap history. The birthplace of legends like The Notorious B.I.G., Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Jay-Z, Joey can keep up with the best of them. The kid doesn't even have a Wikipedia page yet, however make no mistake, though he remains fairly deep underground he isn't completely unrecognized. The first time I heard his name was when he was announced in the 2012 BET Cypher lineup where he stood tall next to Angel Haze, Driicky Graham, Childish Gambino, and A$AP ROCKY, arguably the greatest of the 2012 Cyphers. He even gets a shout out in Gambino's verse, "I have to say I'm such a Joey's last name." His verse was outstanding, inspiring me to take a deeper look.

When I first began listening to his music, I had no idea he was 17. When I found out, I was completely blown away. Maturity shines through so brightly when he picks up a mic, that I didn't even question his age. Joey Bada$$ has dropped two mixtapes to date; the first of which entitled 1999, and the second containing songs that were left off 1999, entitled Rejex. Like most of the up-and-comers these days, Joey has taken to YouTube to help grow his fan base. Out of the 15 tracks on 1999, four have been turned into music videos, two of which have amassed over 1 million views. Putting on a lyrical clinic in "Hardknock" and "Survival Tactics" is just part of the appeal of this young emcee. The way he carries himself, his voice, his message, and his overall style scream legend-to-be.  The complexity demonstrated after the beat-drop on "Hardknock" is on par with the greatest of all time (3:42 on the mixtape version, 3:45 on the music video). "All about their cheddar, young guns know nothing that's better / Like fuck a prison letter, those Beretta's led us to the lettuce / Relish fetishes menaces, Want the senator's percentages / if you ain't prejudice you still a nemesis / Smoking on the Clematis, get open like a present is / Now your presence is on the premises for them presidents."

If I can leave you with one thought it would be this: Although his age is a huge conversation point when talking about Joey Bada$$, as one would expect with such a young rapper, it is important to note that he is not great for a 17 year old; he is just great. Plain and simple.

(Hardknock - Joey Bada$$ feat. CJ Fly)

(Survival Tactics - Joey Bada$$ feat. Capital STEEZ)

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