'It's been a minute since they seen a style that ain't gimmicked'

Joey Bada$$ is at the forefront of the resurgence of a New York style that many of us have grown to love. Thanks to story tellers such as Nas, AZ, Jay-Z and Biggie, one can sit back and imagine themselves running amuck in the streets of New York. Bada$$ brings that same vibe along with a youthful angst that is refreshing: 'the message is still fuck cops'. Throw in his and his Pro Era crew's love for the green plant and a similar passion for disliking the government, Bada$$ has all the makings for taking over the game.

Joey's lyrical ability is well above average, with many different pop culture references and throwbacks to show that he is well versed in hip-hop history. In his '1999' mixtape, Bada$$ waxes lyrical about the Brooklyn lifestyle

'From the block to the top, Buddha baggies in a sock

Only thing that changed now is we ain’t runnin' out of stock

Use to beg mom dukes for lunch money

Hunnies used to run from me when pockets was dust bunnies

Now what’s funny, is we done came up and conquered

Even the future lookin' bonkers from Compton to Yonkers

Though them gangstas grill, I tell ‘em keep that drama away'

While rhyming about your daily lifestyle may not be the most difficult thing to do, Bada$$ has a verbal repitoire unmatched. I mean for a teenager to know what 'Kundalini' is let alone use it in a rap is pretty fucking cool.

'They'll be postin' you until labels start Interscopin' you

By then it's wild late and I'll be chillin' where I lay

Cause I rather see the top than to be livin' where I lay

Imbalances in my Kundalini, they tryna put two through my beanie

Wish you well, tryin' to poof a geenie'

His most recent release, 'Summer Knights', in reference to his lost pal and Pro Era team member Capital Steeze, is a bit of a different beast. A bit darker in topic, Bada$$ switches his style up keeping his laid back flow and deft lyricism but with a more serious growl. His new found success only gives him more content and doesn't take away from his aggressive attitudes.

'When did rap turn into a fashion show? Too many makeup artists won't let their passion show'

Joey Bada$$ has the substance to reclaim hip-hop back from the many rappers who gave it a terrible name during the early 00's. 'World domination' includes a Pinky and the Brain sample thanks to MF DOOM as well as borrowing the 'who the fuck passed you the mic and said that your could flow, point him out I wanna know' hook from Eminem's 'Open Mic'. Combining the delicate art of sampling with a smooth flow reinforces Joey's ability along with his many Pro Era producer's abilities. To be able to spit bar after bar with what appears to be very little effort, Bada$$ has much of the industry around his pinky finger.

After hinting that he might sign with Roc-Nation in A$AP Rocky's 1 train, 'just got back from a 6 o'clock with Jigga', Bada$$ revealed that it would take a $3 million deal for him to sign with a major label. Currently signed to the Cinematic Music Group which is still considered a indie label despite having a distribution deal with Sony Red (independednt arm of Sony Records). The ability to put out a constant flow of music without being signed to a major, thanks to various internet channels has been proven by Bada$$ to be a viable business model.

Both '1999' and 'Summer Knights' feature all Pro Era members both on the boards and in the booth. Chuck Strangers and Kirk Knight make beats that combine classic New York drum patterns with sounds and samples that you have never heard before. The cool thing is they can all rap and it reminds you of the Wu Tang Clan the way the all spit so aggressive over beats that are equally as good as the rhymes and word play.

If your sleeping on Joey Bada$$, you better get familiar like Clinton Sparks.

R.I.P Capital Steez