Joey Bada$$ on Being at The Nas and Jay-Z Level

[@DCP]

To hear the full conversation: pod.link/1313077481/episode/54b48cd821441c8462400a2935ce6c4b

[@slackstarfish8133]

He’s right about 1999 being one of the greatest mixtapes of all time but he hasn’t dropped an album prolific and with enough identity to really put him up there. And I love Joey. Bros got some amazing projects but sometimes I feel like he doesn’t always have the most direction. Bro can rap at an extremely high level but I just want him to drop an album that’s undeniably cohesive and leaves an impression.

[@tehronmoment1367]

All American badass?

[@thulanimakhoba3212]

Lies lies lies.......he needs to sell his soul first to get......all the above mentioned sold out to get to where they are at

[@JaleelJuillet]

@@thulanimakhoba3212But all great did it before they “sold” they soul, if anything they got arguably worse after the fame and success.

[@chancregister2714]

​​@@JaleelJuillet erroneous, selling their soul is what put them in the door, times are different so he should be thankful for the run he's had, why gain the world just to lose your soul smh.

[@ramon5hms5]

@@tehronmoment1367shut your mouth

[@Vyaterboys]

Nas was 19 when he made Illmatic, one of the greatest Hip Hop albums ever.

[@vibe9155]

Started writing it at an earlier age

[@jmadz2024]

facts dude should be humble he got a long way to go, do like his music though

[@thinkbetter49ers]

16 but 19 when it came out

[@sidiquegeloo1816]

​@@Llekamania yes it was

[@RapIsLife2000]

Lmao it got a 5 mic tf ?​@@Llekamania

[@boomdoxful2533]

He said he can stop now…I’m done! 😂😂🤣

[@lastcall4111]

Yea that was SUPER CAP 🧢

[@PayPaid]

That’s what I’m saying like what did I miss😂

[@robertedwards589]

LMAO......I thought i was the only one!

[@kingklassic3522]

YEah I was like is this man delusional. That's a mixtape how did his last album do? he's pretty cool rapper but Maybe I'm missing something.

[@Righteousgenius]

I love Joey I was like bro knock it off

[@ericfreeman1303]

He's was 27 on this interview. And says he want to surpass Nas, & Biggie. 2PAC was 25 when he's the 2nd highest selling rapper in America. Probably the most Iconic with Mural all in Africa, Germany & Italy.

[@Voe198]

The badmon spits bars all over the world

[@blahblahblah-fo6xn]

What’s the rush? 😂😂😂

[@lostizplim2052]

He might reach the peak at 30 and surpass them overall. No time limit, people can taste success at any age, we never know. I understand your standing tho!

[@BobbyKennedy-ss5ts]

​@@lostizplim2052 Will never happen

[@WNR09]

I think he’s referring to his pen game not his level of success

[@allybaapp1053]

1999 was fire but nothing else after ever came close.

[@cousinnvlad7432]

Nah this is complete bs, do people really forget about B4.DA.$$, it’s right up there.

[@nikokaapa]

@@cousinnvlad7432 disagree. B4.DA.$$ is a 7/10 album.

[@ABombIsCool]

Summer Knights better than B4.DA.$$

[@onetwo8847]

​@@cousinnvlad7432yeah I don't agree at all, bro. 1999 is in the convo for greatest mixtape ever. But his full studio albums are like 7.5/10s tho. They're good! but they're far from iconic

[@holiday42020]

2000 is pretty good imo

[@sgvmvp]

He really is in a lane of his own. Lyrically he is a top 50 all time rapper, but I do hope his next project is what truly cements him amongst the greatest ever.

[@mitchiegotmovesy7635]

I’m from VA I absolutely see Joey as one of them. That being said I’m young. So is he. I think if he gave us more albums at his current quality and higher he’ll go down as that

[@tobyakbar225]

He is a great actor on Power Kanaan series...

[@JayP787]

And Mr Robot

[@donboscoatake]

​@@JayP787truee

[@chriscooper4205]

@@JayP787 Mr Robot is a slept on show haha

[@JayP787]

@@chriscooper4205 it is not a slept on show. Look at the amount of awards it has received

[@Desswitit]

Like bro has many talents even if you don’t know a song if you know unique you know him 💯

[@viviansmithbarnes]

Joey is Joey, All he gotta do is BE HIMSELF…Periodttt…Joey is one of the greatest Right Now! Me AND My adult kids ROCKS with Joey from the beginning…And I’m 63 years young. Artist like Joey saved my life. Hip Hop Saved My Life ~ Lupe F👑

[@carlo.notcarlos]

I fuck with Joey for this. I get his point, & his frame of mind. He speaking it into existence before it happens. He has the capacity to get there. I believe in him.

[@azulsteel---4650]

Not gonna happen. Joey released his 1st album in 2012 and he still hasn’t reached that level. We knew Nas and Jay were special after their 1st albums. Joey’s not even mentioned with Kendrick, Cole, and Drake.

[@jasongibbs3713]

That's some female sh*t. A man is supposed to be about it, not talk about it. Show and prove and let your work speak for itself. All that other shit is for women with their low self esteem

[@K_Fury_456]

No he’s not. He’s being arrogant

[@jman1562001]

@@K_Fury_456 Yeah he might feel that sentiment, but it's the PEOPLE who decide that. IMO Joey never really made radio records to be seen in that mainstream light and wasn't on a major to get major push so it was going to be an uphill battle .

[@NatHenrickClarke]

No he said he can stop now

[@rus6451]

I like Joey but he's deluded.

[@TheBulletzgottishow20]

He need to focus on acting cause he ain't on no nas level

[@t-4579]

@@TheBulletzgottishow20he needs to clock in with some great producers and make some quality albums. Notsaying hell be nas but has potential to be a great. He needs some classic songs or albums to even be top 20 ny

[@TheBulletzgottishow20]

@@t-4579 he need to switch up the flow he had a couple good songs on his last project 2000 but it's not a classic but it's solid

[@ski-mask-the-slump-god]

steez would’ve been nas level or perhaps he was

[@rv7406]

You buggin he IS at that level 2000 proves that

[@kc1109]

Why people like to forget about Cole’s Warm Up and Friday Night Lights Mixtapes.Damn even the Come Up was solid asf. One good and two classic mixtapes out the gate

[@ki11acam_23]

Cause Cole was in his mid 20s when he dropped those 😂 Nas was 16-17 when he wrote Illmatic, Joey was 17 when he put out 1999. Other than those two, there aren’t many rappers who can say they dropped classics that young

[@Mr.Majestic77]

​@@ki11acam_23 A Tribe Called Quest (Q- Tip & Phife Dawg), DJ Quik, NWA (Eazy E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre & the D.O.C) and OutKast (Andre 3000 & Big Boi).

[@ki11acam_23]

@@Mr.Majestic77 Tribe were all 20 when they released their debut, NWA were in their 20s (Cube was 19) when they debuted, Quik debuted right before he turned 21. All of those rappers were 2-3+ years older than Nas and Joey when they made their respective debuts, with the exception of Kast who were 18-19

[@Mr.Majestic77]

@@ki11acam_23 OutKast was still in high school (Tri-Cities High School in East Point, Georgia. They like in 11th going to the 12th ) when they first recorded music. I was in the 9th when they were in the 11th.

[@ki11acam_23]

@@Mr.Majestic77 yea but we not talmbout when they started making music, it’s when they made their debut project. Joey made 1999 at 17.

[@elijahmatthias]

Joey you inspired me to start rapping when you were 17 and 1999 is still my favorite mixtape of all time, but we need many more classics for me to view you near nas.

[@bOmBAsTiK]

Nobody outside of NY would put you on that level fam...

[@sammymobs3889]

Or in

[@sammymobs3889]

@arawakwarrior I’m from Harlem and we don’t rock w fam

[@sammymobs3889]

@arawakwarrior facts

[@weshouser821]

@arawakwarrior Yeah like Joey can't really be on Nas or Jay's level at this point it doesn't really matter what he comes out with. He would need to make it big in films like Ice Cube or Ludacris or Pac to come close to that level. He wont be able to do it with just music unless he just changes his whole style and even then like I dont care if he comes out with the best album ever I think it would be hot for a quick second then ignored for the next big thing pretty quickly. Similar to a guy like Lupe Fiasco like the dude is nasty but just cant really be on that level at this point. Joey would need to make himself into an "Icon" and it just isnt happening I dont think even if he were shot and killed or something like that. I honestly dont think being killed makes you a better rapper suddenly or anything like I'll be honest I think both Nipsey and Pop smoke would have fell off by now even if they didnt get murdered and kept making tracks.

[@swishersweetsirelli6875]

Dude been delusional he a good actor though

[@kabelotwala1544]

Joey Bad Most Definitely One Of My Favourite Rappers For Sure👍🏿

[@Raj-cl7he]

Joey is a dope MC i can arguably say he is one of the best. He brings back that old school feel with still being current .but the sad thing i believe he will not get the flowers that he deserves because his style is for a select of ears.his sound is not for everyone and its not current .but for me personallg dude is highly talented and gifted

[@DiegoGene-fh3zp]

I listen to a song from him that my younger brother wanted me to listen to I was kinda being negative. Tho to him but I should give him a chance might check out his songs.

[@NatHenrickClarke]

He doesn't have the body of work

[@Alex-bd4ov]

What's the name of the mixtape?

[@imasleeep]

@@Alex-bd4ovwhich one ?

[@spurs22]

I like Joey and it’s good that he’s confident in himself but he’s nowhere near the top elite rappers. If we’re being honest his career has been a bit disappointing, we expected so much from him. He was a wonder kid who so far hasn’t lived up to the expectations

[@JPR22]

He might have been in the conversation if he dropped the 5 albums and 100s of songs he hasnt released since all amerikkan badass in 2017, he should have focused on being more prolific and fulfilling that potential instead of being all in on acting if he wanted to truly be #1 in hip hop. he has ground to make up for now

[@susogozu]

exactly, sadly i think the guy just got fulfilled satisfied and lazy and you neither see or hear the hunger anymore in his music. too early fame tends to mess with people their ego's in a negative way sometimes sadly

[@FranklinEzenekwe]

I know his name but I don't know one song from him. But I'm happy with his state of mind and confidence. I've seen Ye, Jay and Nas live and that's a bar.

[@Gonnie6969]

Listen to 1999

[@badbadgoodcd]

speaking from 2025, he hasn't dropped an album since '2000' (released 2022), and his new single 'The Ruler's Back' was good, i just think he needs an album that's polarizing but also connects with his core fanbase, more music videos, as well as a feature run on other people's songs and i think that'll give him more respect amongst rap purists who will compare him to Nas and Jay-Z

[@archnem]

I am from the sugar hill era. But my favorite era was Rakims era . I thought when I first heard Nas work , he reminded me of Rakim . And when I first heard Joey , he sounds like he could have held his weight in the greatest eras. Not just held his weight , but be one of the greatest even back then . But I feel he was just born at the wrong time. I categorize him as golden era , even though he was not even born yet .

[@aurorasigma]

Beautifully said

[@stalwartzero7001]

Joey definitely brings me back to feeling of why I got in to hip hop, Nas for sure but I don’t about Jay

[@fredrickbledsoe8051]

He been one of them ones to me.Hardknock with CJ Fly.Got me convinced hes on of them ones....Ijs.

[@FatiguedFuture]

Definitely up there. Keep going 💪🏿

[@charlesjones900]

Dope

[@ADyani6]

Joey is in my top 10 😁

[@bandanawulf7917]

Facts at 17 he was slept on

[@darkskinwhite]

Joey would be one of them if it was 1993. The problem is if you make Illmatic rn, Illmatic was *30 years ago.* & even if you managed to do that it's not going to change the game because it already did when it happened the first time. You would have to be Nas 2.0 which means Rakim 3.0. You have to advance the game as much from them as they did from their predecessors, but at a certain point if you get more & more lyrical it will become non-musical (we've seen that). if you keep pushing flows forever, eventually it's just singing (we've seen that). the only way I can see to advance the game is to be as original in style as you can without being so far away from the original that it ceases to be the same thing, & then take it as far as you can with the actual content of what you're saying, because if what you say is relevant & important than it doesn't matter if it was said before.

[@roninunrefined1637]

Nah. TPAB & Good Kid Maad City are both classic albums dropped by one artist in the same time frame Joey has been active. You don’t need to remake old classics to have a classic you’ve just got to authentic to yourself and fuse that in with the sound of today and fully speak for the culture using your experience and you’ve got a classic. Joey’s B4Da$$ album to me felt like I was in New York and if he would’ve evolved that sound and expressed himself more in his music he definitely could’ve made a classic album. Bro is too divided into different media forms now so it would be near impossible for him to ever achieve that. He’d have to go the Childish Gambino route and be in an undeniably great show and then create something meaningful to the representation of New York or just become a billionaire then you’ll be in the top 10 greatest successful rappers of all time because any other list he’s not breaking the top 50.

[@jonmorales9703]

Joey and Kendrick keeping it hip hop is gonna be a 2025 to remember.

[@AirMars1]

“I think I can stop now” is crazy….. Nah bro.

[@TiddleTown]

I can agree for sure been bumping ur shit since steezy and beast coast days man 💪💪

[@RonaldJames-eo2hc]

His album B4DA$$ is one of the greatest albums of all time. Underrated

[@Wretched777]

Idk why that album doesn’t get the love it deserves

[@geminisokwane]

If it's underrated then it's not one of the best coz the best always comes out the best

[@Wretched777]

@@geminisokwane or sometimes things aren’t promoted properly.. music is also subjective. People say his next Album AMBA was a classic. I didn’t like it, it was to commercial. Like who you like My G

[@TelmaBeti]

​@@Wretched777Amerikka bada$$ was out shined by KL album Damn.

[@Wretched777]

@@TelmaBeti I mean I didn’t like Amerikkkan Bada$$ either but Damn was a Monster

[@azeer777]

YOU ARE LOCAL!!!

[@Art_Travel_and_Hobbys]

Joey is that badass M.C... young bruh be flowing that lyrical miracle as some like to say of top tier lyricist

[@mwright0428]

He is so fine 😩 that’s all I got

[@JayP787]

Hes a good rapper and even a better actor. I think he should pursue acting 100%

[@Stonie736]

@JayP787 Yess, and get d.r.a.k.e a job with him😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮

[@nicholasali2182]

people say anything these days.

[@mujaahbalogun2855]

😂😂😂 and he is one of them

[@lastcall4111]

Delusion is real

[@cynthiabanks-holman6952]

Did Anybody Say Handsome 😉✨

[@anthonyhaywood9096]

45 years old i will be in a few months, One of my favorite artists. ❤🎉 by far.

[@viviansmithbarnes]

I love Joey❤

[@johnsimms3693]

Da boy been nice ... Joey KEEP DOIN YA THING BRO

[@jayc5756]

I Love It! Salute!

[@Coalition4NewerVision]

Fine if everyone doesn’t think Joey is equal to nas but nas himself gave Joey his co sign because he’s on 2000 bossing up Joey and introducing him. Did everyone forget that?

[@lamarsemi7061]

Exactly nas is still better than Joey but he’s like his successor in a sense. Old-heads have a problem with nostalgia and can’t let new legends come in.

[@cousinnvlad7432]

They’re not actually listening to music that’s why

[@Voe198]

As a hip-hop artist and a rapper, Joey truly is at that level and could stop now. John Coltrane force tier.

[@getwreckednerds6433]

Make another album like ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ idc how “preachy” people call it that album was incredible

[@coffgunn1005]

He’s a good rapper at best

[@MrStaano]

Very good, a great talent. May not have a all time classic. But almost nobody today has them. Only Kandrick. Not even Drake has a classic.

[@linkoln_sosias]

Joey, Chance and isiah all had that mixtape quality - none of them followed through

[@matwithonet1984]

Capital STEEZ. He would be proud of you Joey. 47.

[@GU_WOP_O]

The fact that he is not in a rush to the top means he'll get there. The acting things gives him time and he will only put out music that will push him to the top.

[@Bizness305CC]

It means both of you NY ni66as are delusional, he'll never come close, not even in the top 100 discussion. 😂

[@aurorasigma]

Bringing it back when MCs battling one another was a healthy thing... This is what hip-hop is supposed to be. Keep on young King.

[@93deiondavis]

I honestly haven't listened to Jody badass in years, I was very impressed by his acting skills on BMF. He falls into the "He still make music" category for me now.

[@s-b6218]

It's simple, 3 solid albums with the best beats imaginable.

[@henryrutty9575]

Joey is like Nas in the sense that he had a groundbreaking debut record (mixtape) at a young age that shook the scene but struggled to back it up with his later works. B4.DA.$$ and AmeriKKKan Bada$$ were both legendary records I just wish Joey still connected with the underground NY scene.

[@anthonyanderson9303]

Nas struggled to back it up? Umm ..it was written? Stillmatic? God's Son?

[@Mr.Majestic77]

Joey Bada$$ is a gifted great lyrical artist and a damn good actor in film. While he is not on the level of Nas, Jay Z, OutKast (Andre 3000 & Big Boi), GZA, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, KRS One etc, but he is definitely in that second tier group with those such as Masta Ace, Lupe Fiasco, Kendrick Lamer, Black Thought, Elzhi, Killer Mike, T.I., Pusha T, Jay Electronica, Little Brother (Rapper Big Pooh & Phonte), Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, ScHool Boy Q , ASAP Rocky and Freddie Gibbs.

[@bernabefernandeztouceda7315]

Black Thought second tier?? What's wrong with you??

[@Mr.Majestic77]

@@bernabefernandeztouceda7315 who you have Black Thought ahead of? GZA, Common, Redman, Ras Kass, Killer Mike, Elzhi, Jay Electronica, Lupe Fiasco, Kendrick Lamer and J.Cole???

[@bernabefernandeztouceda7315]

@@Mr.Majestic77 Black Thought is up there with the greats. Lyrics-wise, album-wise. He's not necessarily my favorite, I'm more of a GZA/Wu-Tang guy, but he's definitely above sone rappers you mentioned like Schoolboy Q, Rocky, Ab-Soul, Gibbs... C'mon

[@VuyoMichaels-me4iv]

Black Thought is a better lyricist than everyone you mentioned buddy.😂❤

[@mistahmst]

@@VuyoMichaels-me4ivhe’s really not. There’s definitely some rappers he named that Black Thought is better than, but he ain’t better than Nas, Jay, OutKast, KRS, or anyone else in that caliber.

[@d.7203]

Talk that shh Joey! They needa start putting RESPECT on your name!

[@mellymel766]

Yeah Joey one of the great yo it's a coincidence me saying this I just finished bumping unorthodox last night

[@BookerT1]

he has the skill to do it

[@jasonrandle1645]

I LOVE HIP HOP PERIOD

[@garybandana2849]

My dawgggg

[@fortunezikhali990]

He's right about 1999

[@jamie_amaru]

His style isn't mainstream, that's the reality. He made the choice to make music he likes, not what is most accessible to a mainstream audience. Not having the same level of mainstream popularity is sadly a part of that. The fact that he makes a very comfortable living off of making good music is more than most can say. I think that should be enough

[@ayeb0ss28]

He's right he released one of the best mixtapes of all time, but respectfully I don't think people revere him on the same level as nas, jay, or andre, though I do think it's mostly because he's not as popular

[@madant22]

He need to become the east coast equivalent to kendrick. Thats what he needs to do. Which he has potential to do.

[@treviancalhoun7693]

I agree

[@worldwidedisciple4398]

Pure Halicination Joey. Wake up.

[@k-dawgwestmore4643]

“I think I could stop now” Wrong answer bro

[@rhondaeleazer8008]

J O E Y ❤

[@ljj734]

Just here to see how ppl receiving the statement

[@terrenceterrell9433]

Noooo...dont stop Joey...you are not the list yet...yet you can be

[@jflack6]

Not at all

[@brodon6426]

Talented MC, keep up the great work!

[@JAYP.616]

Mixtapes aside, you’re going to have to do WAAAAAY more than just emcee!

[@roderickpeyton4265]

Joey is a phenomenal MC. He shouldn't have to pass away to get his flowers. He's great, but not enough people know it.

[@mayosteez2673]

Thats 100% true. Theres nothing more he could do. People will only appreciate him once his dead. Thats because of the era he was born in

[@gweah7821]

LOL he’s comparing his mixtape with Illmatic and his level with Nas. He’s right about one thing, yeah, please, you can stop now 😂

[@MetaphysicalShaMan]

Nah real talk when he dropped that mixtape at the time the buzz was he was the next Nas cuz of his age and content and effortless rhymes BUT that def faded away after cap died and pro era started breaking up and he started going commercial. But the was a time the culture and media were comparing him to nas

[@Coalition4NewerVision]

You both are dumb as hell because literally nas himself pretty much given Joey his ‘endorsement’ you could say because he is on one of the 2000 tracks bossing up Joey and introducing him

[@kundaimhonda9803]

He wasn't lying about that mixtape

[@dariuspeterson1177]

1999 was one of the absolute best mixtapes ive ever heard

[@scooblov]

Comments are extremely positive, which I normally like, but this guy said “if I stop today, I would be put up there”, as in one of the greatest, because of a mix tape he put out 10 years ago? Nas dropped a classic ALBUM at that age. Where is your catalog? The rappers at the top were undeniable. Your boss’s boss knows who Tupac and Bigger are. The greatest rappers cross over without selling out. That’s how big of a buzz their career makes. I don’t know who this dude is and I can’t be the only one. I mean, I’ve seen his name on a feature here and there, but never enough to say “that dude spittin’!”

[@BThatDope]

Joey got a fair ass point about him and nas on the same level. If we counting mixtapes Joey got a Classic. How many classics nas got in his discography? He still young af too so he could eventually drop another classic project.

[@BThatDope]

and he still only getting bigger in the film industry too

[@trayvonlittle9326]

1999 is a classic

[@RoccoEscobar21]

He needs to make hits.

[@ArmandoGuerrero-j6u]

Decoy got that light skin conversation 😂😂

[@longshotkdb]

and now Joey is back in the fight and swinging Hard !

[@gosertube]

Joey can rap but the “i can stop now” line is outta pocket bro

[@KNWBDY.important]

He needs radio hits.

[@garybandana2849]

We the same age and been a fan from the jump

[@jidmon]

I love joeys confidence here I do think he is still off the goat status because nas has been doing this at a top tier for 4 decades almost so Joey still needs time

[@PuzzlingChap]

HE IS A LEGEND🎉 JOEY B4DA$$

[@CaliDaddy619]

He make fire music but it don’t get play like that. I honestly can’t tell you one song by bro or when the last time he put something out. I have listened to him tho he has the potential but not enough push. Bro needs to get more out in my opinion 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@rumham4766]

I'm convinced this comment section have only listened to two Joey songs, he's got at least two classic albums he's just in the wrong era unfortunately

[@bernardlartims9114]

wait Joey is 28 now ? damn! heard his name a long time ago

[@Dannidimples195]

Joey gives me the modern day nino brown. ❤❤❤❤

[@EzServe27]

There is no one close to Nas, anyone who makes music or knows it; when I listen to Joey he's good, but I can hear his thought process on rhyming certain words, Nas gives you images, lessons, rhymes and history with such fluidity, the best to ever do it. Kendrick is right around the corner and EM.

[@LEON-n3o]

ride kendrick coat tale!!...🤣🤣

[@Beenthereto]

He looks older than 26 or 27. I thought he was in his mid 30s or early 40s.

[@ryanhucul9118]

Joey is great, but I need to hear more. Period.

[@nomorenamesavailabl1668]

Am going to say it. If Capital Steez had been alive ProEra would have had a similar reputation to Asap mob and better. Joey literally carried them although they were great the others did not get attention

[@StasHousEnt]

Man that’s “Unique”

[@chimeraharps3887]

Calling it now, my two favorite rappers are Earl and Joey. Two revolutionary rappers who are ever evolving.

[@tommyglummer5215]

You need a nationwide hit record

[@rtoney]

I want him to win😂😂😂😂