Mark Yatchew

Joey Badass is back, and in a huge way. The release of his new album “All Amerikkkan Badass” is a true example of one of the greatest lyrical minds of the New School of rappers. Kendrick Lamar is currently receiving an outrageously disproportionate amount of praise considering the depth and meaning behind Joey’s words. While Kendrick may be a lyrical genius, he does not use the rhythm of the song to his advantage and therefore results in abrupt changes of pace in his new album. Joey Badass truly outdid himself with an album with an insight to society that Kendrick simply does not bring to the table with his new record.

Joey has a clear frontrunner on this album, “Temptations”. This unbelievable twist on modern events starts with a child delivering a speech about racism in America, this truly sets the stage for the message Joey delivers in this masterfully crafted piece. His words are delivered with such gusto they’re nearly impossible to forget. This song focuses on the inequality African Americans experience in the United States. He calls out the hypocrites in the community “Complainin’ all day but in the same condition, if you wanna make change it’s gonna take commitment” advocating for people to stand up for their rights. The beat is a large stylistic change for Joey as the ever so funky rhythm is almost an entirely different style. Joey empowers the beat and uses his lyrical gift with incredible lines such as: “Some people enslaved by they religion, can’t emancipate them from their mental prisons” and “And I never sell my soul cuz that’s priceless” are just a few examples of the greatest rapper of the New School at work.

Somewhat inexplicably, Joey produces a phenomenal remainder of the album. His intro to the album “Good Morning Amerikkka” drives the underlying message of the album; the discrimination and oppression that African Americans suffer in the United States.

Joey follows this masterful crafty lyrics with “Land of the Free” This lyrical phenomena cracked yet another masterpiece through this song. Like many songs on the album the main message is the racism still existing within the United States. “Three k’s two a’s in Amerikkka is crafted with such skill and drives the clear message that the KKK is still a major part of the American society. “Obama wasn’t just wasn’t enough closure, Donald Trump is not equipped to lead this country.” Is a mere example of the lyrical genius at mind here. Lines delivered with such vigor such as “Still got the last name of our slave owners, is a direct reference to the crisis at Princeton where protest commenced to remove a former slave owner’s name from a collegiate building.

In summation this rhythmic genius produced the greatest album of the 21st century and possibly the greatest rap album of the millennium.