Joey Bada$$ - ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ Album Review

Story posted November 13, 2017 in CommRadio, Arts & Entertainment by Jerome Taylor

Joey Bada$$ released ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ on April 7, 2017. This is Joey’s second studio album following his 2015 debut album, B4.DA.$$. ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ is filled with insightful political and social commentary. Joey provides his take on the current political climate in the United States and its relation to people of color. The album’s title is America spelled “AmeriKKKa,” an obvious allusion to Ice Cube’s 1990 album AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted, another album that is critical of America’s treatment of African Americans. This album showcases Joey’s improvement as a beat selector and songwriter, making this Joey’s most impressive release of his career to date.

Joey’s intentions were clear on this album: he wanted to expose as many uncomfortable truths about America’s treatment of people of color as possible. On a song like “LAND OF THE FREE,” the second single of four released off the album, Joey delivers one of his greatest songs to date. The track was released on the day Donald Drumpf was inaugurated and this song is very political and also blatantly attacks trump, calling him, “not equipped to take this country over.” The cover art for this single also attacks Drumpf as Joey is positioned in front of a picture of slaves wearing a shirt that says, “Make America Suck Again,” which shows how Joey feels about Drumpf’s campaign promise to “Make Donald Drumpf Again.” Lyrically, Joey proves that he is one of the most thought-provoking rappers today. Lyrics like, “still got the last name of our slave owners” which can be heard during the chorus of the song shows that he is on mission of enlightenment. As he draws attention to the fact that many African Americans still have the last name of the plantation owner that owned their ancestors, which is how far back many African Americans can trace their heritage. This song also dives into many other social, economic and political problems faced by African Americans. This content is packed into two verses separated by a powerful bridge and a thought-provoking chorus, delivered flawlessly by Joey, proving why he’s one of the best in the game.

Songs like “ROCKABYE BABY” and “RING THE ALARM” also illustrate why Joey is so highly regarded as a rapper. “ROCKABYE BABY” is Joey’s rallying cry to rival Crip and Blood gangs to unite and protect their communities from racial injustices that occur at the hands of the police. Joey calls on the gangs to be more protective of each other against a bigger enemy. Schoolboy Q, a former Crip, bluntly explains the effects incarnation has on a family, which helps give context to the “cycle” many rappers have talked about. “RING THE ALARM” takes a step away from the main concept of the album and features Joey’s fellow Pro Era comrades Nyck Caution and Kirk Knight. The song also features Meechy Darko of Flatbush Zombies; the track is a BeastCoast all-star collaboration. All four rappers express how dissatisfied they are with the current lack of “lyricists” in hip hop. All four rappers contribute excellent performance and show why the BeastCoast movement is so impressive.

Other songs touch on hardships faced by communities of color in America, while other songs try to help people of color rise up from systematic oppression. “Y U DON’T LOVE ME? (MISS AMERIKKKA)” is about the identity of people of color in America. Joey approaches America as a woman who rejects people of color even though free labor of people of color built the country. “AMERIKKKAN IDOL” is the last song on the album and the last verse particularly stands out. Joey raps a warning to all people and throughout the album he calls for some form of revolution, but on this verse he warns people to be careful how they do it. He explains that if the revolution is done using violence, the consequences will leave his community worse than it is. Joey’s wisdom in this situation is impressive for anyone, yet alone a 22-year-old, which is why he is such a special artist.

Joey is blatant about his feelings on racial inequality in America and makes sure his message is heard. Joey takes the role as a revolutionary and is tired of seeing people who look like him being put down. His skill as a rapper cannot be denied either on this album, as many of the tracks showcase his flow and delivery. When his skill is combined with the subject matter that he is tackling, it produces a wonderful, thought-provoking album. ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ proves to be Joey’s best work to date and one of the best rap albums of the year and, given how young he is, Joey probably hasn’t peaked yet.

Rating: 8/10

 

Jerome Taylor is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jerometaylor91697@gmail.com