Recess reviews: Joey Bada$$, 'All-Amerikkkan Bada$$'

Though hip-hop fans waited until the clock struck midnight April 7 to find Kendrick Lamar delaying the release of his highly anticipated album for another week, they were pleased to find that Joey Bada$$ delivered on his promise. Bada$$’s newly released album, titled “ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$,” is another impressive addition to a body of work that boasts incredible lyrical ability. This is especially refreshing considering the absence of stellar lyricism in today’s mainstream rap soundscape.

Filled with politically charged lyrics, Joey Bada$$ makes it clear that this album is created in the spirit of FUBU, or "For Us, By Us," a concept and brand coined by CEO Daymond John to empower black Americans as they were being excluded in mainstream society. In other words, the album reaches a black listener by appealing to a shared black experience that crosses lines of class, gender and sexuality. “FOR MY PEOPLE” encapsulates this message with soothing melodies that melt the hardest heart. This is not to say that non-black listeners will not be able to appreciate Bada$$’s latest release—that is, if these listeners are not the racist Americans to which Bada$$ expresses disdain throughout the project. Non-black listeners will be able to appreciate the themes and depth the album offers.

The album begins urging Americans to wake up with “GOOD MORNING AMERIKKKA” and plunges into expressions of desperation and helplessness with the tracks “TEMPTATION” and “LAND OF THE FREE.” He progresses later into “DEVASTATED,” an uplifting anthem thematically reminiscent of Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright.” From there, Bada$$ struggles to reconcile with a general feeling of non-acceptance by fellow Americans in “Y U DON’T LOVE ME? (MISS AMERIKKKA)” to expressing anger and resentment against systemic racism in “RING THE ALARM.” In the end, he directly speaks to black Americans as he urges them to continue the resistance against white supremacy with his last track, “AMERIKKKAN IDOL.”

As usual, Bada$$ sticks to signature boom-bap beats reminiscent of classic ‘90s hip-hop. Also, like on his other albums, Bada$$ pays homage to his Caribbean roots with “BABYLON,” a fusion of jazz and dancehall vibes. What distinguishes “ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$” from Bada$$’s other work is a highly concentrated melodic component not present in previous albums. As a result, Bada$$’s songs will resonate with larger audiences and improve crowd engagement during live performances. It is also complete with exciting features including ScHoolboy Q in “ROCKABYE BABY” and J. Cole in “LEGENDARY.” Each guest appearance will whet the appetites of hip-hop listeners who are particularly addicted to following the catalogues of these superior lyricists.

Those who choose to give Bada$$ a listen will find it very clear that Bada$$ intended his latest project to be very black, provocative and smooth. During an era in which racial tensions are especially high and social inequalities are being publicly discussed more than ever, Bada$$’s "ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$" proves to be very relevant without sacrificing the musical excellence for which he has garnered critical acclaim. For this reason, Bada$$ will be continuously on repeat until Lamar shakes the world April 14.