ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$

On his second album, the Brooklyn rapper’s heart still lies with hip-hop’s golden age. While trading verses with ScHoolboy Q and Styles P on “ROCKABYE BABY” and “SUPER PREDATOR,” his deft lyricism is as evocative of East Coast rap’s early-\'90s glory days as his buttery boom-bap. His thoughts, however, focus firmly on contemporary America, and he riffs on government, racism, and freedom with absorbing frankness. “DEVASTATED” is entirely forward-facing, saluting his personal triumph over hard times on top of sparkling trap beats.

The New York rapper aims for political awareness on his latest, trading out his clever rhyme schemes for more clarity. Though varied and sometimes powerful, its themes feel undercooked.

You can’t overlook the voice of Dan Bejar, a nasal yowl that has a captivating way of meandering around a melody, often scrambling its way toward the end of a lyric as his tongue shoehorns more words between the remaining beats. But you might miss what an important service that voice provides to the first six albums…

If Joey's debut is to be remembered as an exercise in golden-age revivalism, All AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ prioritises bringing that style into the here and now.

On his sophomore effort, All-Amerikkkan Bada$$, Brooklyn MC Joey Bada$$ continues to honor the golden era legacy of his forebears, while making a major leap in lyrical prowess that takes aim at the ills and injustices in America.

All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ is not exactly "entertaining"; the beats don't bang, and the lyrics are light on the braggadocio we're used to from Jo...

When Joey Bada$$ released his generally well-received debut album, ‘B4.DA.$$’, in 2015, the word “young” was constantly used as a