Mic Navarro's Corner: Joey Bada$$ - B4.Da.$$ ALBUM REVIEW

As hip hop continues it's search for the MC that will bring New York back to dominance like the old days, a strong argument can be made that Brooklyn's own Joey Bada$$ is a strong candidate for that MC. Since his emergence, no other rapper's bandwagon and/or fan base grew larger and larger with each release. People, including myself, became immediately hooked to his vintage boom bap/old school style of music. Which also drew plenty of praise and recognition from many veteran rappers from those days who know that sound the best. After two stellar mixtapes as well as a group mixtape with Pro Era, the wait is now over. Here is his debut album B4.Da.$$ (pronounced Before The Money). Now of course many, like myself, had high expectations for this album because of his previous work. His debut mixtape 1999 you can argue is one of the top five mixtapes released since 2010. That would then be followed by Summer Knight$ and the Pro Era mixtape PEEP: The Aprocalypse. Both just as dope. Now, this album I thought overall met my expectations. You pretty much get the same thing he gave you on the mixtapes. Dope lyrics and flow, original vintage sounding production and more stories to tell. At first listen you will probably say to yourself that this sounds just like his mixtapes to the point where the album sounds like one. I thought this at first too. But after multiple listens, I caught more of his words and his content and it is much different that what we got from 1999 and Summer Knight$. The only thing I guess I could say is there's a huge lack of energy on this album. But then again, Joey never really been an "energetic" rapper. He has a true laid back, quiet and calm demeanor which is kinda uncharacteristic for a Brooklyn kid. Well anyway, it's time for the break down so here it is:

1. Save The Children

It begins with the DJ announcing Joey as if he's coming to the stage to perform. He spits two awesomely dope verse with such clever word play: "and I ain't acting on the scene niggas scream/the actions ain't screened just well schemed". I love the the sample on the hook as well how it says "black democrats, black educators, black entertainers, black businessmen". You know things we want to see our children become. This almost sounds like a freestyle when you hear it. Great intro track.

2. Greenbax (interlude)

3. Paper Trail$

Once I saw that this was produced by DJ Premier I instantly knew I was gonna like this. Of course, I was not let down. This was one of two favorite beats on the album. I especially loves the way the beat comes in and drops. Joey kicks some dope lyrics about how money has changed him in negative ways. Also how things were better before (which plays right into the album's title and theme). There's also a very heavy Wu-Tang influence in this song too as he references them often on here. Love this.

4. Piece Of Mind

On this song, Joey is talking to a friend of his that's locked up. He shares a song with him over the phone that's dedicated to him. I liked this concept a lot because it reminds me of what Nas did on "One Love". But Joey's is more of a dedication track whereas Nas's song was a written letter. I like the play on words in the title as well because it's going along perfectly with what Joey is talking about. Giving his friend a "piece of his mind" about how to maintain a "peace of mind" while locked down. Dope track.

5. Big Dusty

This is the first single to my surprise. Although this doesn't sound to radio friendly to be a single, it's still one of the better songs on the album. So many of Joey's music gives me an instant nostalgic feeling because of his throwback 90's sound. But no song on the album gave me that feeling more than this. From his flow, his words and especially the production. It was slower and mellow but so sharp and on point. Much props to Kirk Knight the producer. Awesome single.

6. Hazeus View

The hits just keep coming. Here's another favorite. Kirk Knight comes through again with an awesome beat. It's a bit faster and much catchier than the previous track. When I listen to the words, especially in the hook, it sounds like he speaking religiously. Trying to connect with Jesus and be closer to him and away from trouble in the streets. I could be wrong about that but that what it sounds like to me.

7. Like Me (featuring BJ The Chicago Kid)

I love the smoothness of this song. It's produced by the great J. Dilla and has a slow, soulful jazz sound. Lyrically it sound like he's talking about a wide range of things. From political issues in the world to his own personal issues. BJ The Chicago Kid gives it that extra soul on the hook. This is dope.

8. Belly Of The Beast (featuring Chronixx)

For those that didn't know, Joey has some island in him (both his parents are from Jamaica and St. Lucia as he mentions on this album). So here her kinda embraces on this very dark and dreary beat. But most of the island sound comes from Chronixx who's a reggae artist. It sounds like he's painting a picture of what life is like living in Brooklyn. Living in the "belly of the beast". Pretty cool song.

9. No. 99

This song was cool to me because it had two really dope samples. The first is the bass line from A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario" which gives it the energy it has. The second is the drum pattern from Jimi Hendrix's "Little Miss Lover". I said in the intro there was very little to no energy on this album but this is probably the most energetic song on here. Overall I like it. Dope beat with cool samples.

10. Christ Conscious

Released as another single, Joey gets religious a bit here as well. But that's really only on the hook when he's talking about being on the lord's good side (similar to the topic in "Hazeus View"). The rest of the song he just spits some aggressive bars about street survival for the most part. Not sure if I would deem this single worthy but dope nonetheless.

11. On & On (featuring Maverick Sabre and Dyemond Lewis)

Now here is where we see some emotion come out of Joey. He starts this off by talking to his mother who he mentioned quite a bit on this album. But then he goes into talking about all the pain and hardships that he's been through since being in the rap game. Most notably the passing of his friend Capital Steez. This as well as the anxiety of being an only child and having his boys being the only real family or brothers that he has. It's an emotional outpouring that I myself can't recall ever hearing from him. A very moving song here.

12. Escape 120 (featuring Raury)

I loved so many songs on this album. But this is probably the song that I liked the least of every song. Doesn't mean it was a bad song overall, just bad in comparison to the rest of this album. I normally like Chuck Strangers production but here it was just off. Joey's flow on here felt kinda forced. As if he himself wasn't feeling this beat. What makes this listenable though is the guest verse from Raury who sounds almost exactly like Andre 3000. Much to the point where I had to double check the album credits. I mean I'd like to think that this will grow on but... I don't know.

13. Black Beetles

Here we get more emotional talk but not as much as before. He talks about battling self-esteem issues that he's had even before rapping. Also going on talking about the demons of the rap game and how it isn't as fabulous as he thought it would be. Production wise Chuck Strangers redeemed himself from the previous track with the beat here. It had a very sad and sorrowful feel which fit well with Joey's words. Nice track.

14. O.C.B.

The acronym stand for Only Child Blues. This goes back to what he was talking about on "On & On". The major anxiety he has about being an only child. Talking about dealing with it growing up as a kid to dealing with it now. Many people think being an only child is a good thing but at times it isn't. You feel alone and like an outcast when at school and outside amongst other kids. Anyone in the same boat will definitely relate to this one.

15. Curry Chicken

Now what I get from this is that this is pretty much a dedication song to his mom. Reminiscing on memories, telling her things he promised he'd do for her once he got money, thanking her and just showing her a lot of affection. It's clear by listening to this album that he's really close to his mother. I can relate because I'm real close to mines too. Statik Selektah does a well...okay job with the beat. He's got better ones on here. Now you might ask yourself "why the title"? Apparently curry chicken is his favorite dish that his mom cooks. Cool song.

16. Run Up On Ya (featuring Action Bronson and Elle Varner) [BONUS TRACK]

For the life of me, I have no idea why this is a bonus track. This is easily one of the top three songs on the album. Mostly because of the cool guest features. Action Bronson kicks some dope witty lyrics while Elle Varner graces the hook with her beautiful voice. This is mostly Joey talking about the women and how he gets at them. I loved this beat too. Well done Statik Selektah. This actually sounds more like a single than anything he did bring out as a single. Love this song.

17. Teach Me (featuring Kiesza) [BONUS TRACK]

Boy...I'm seriously on the fence with this one. There were a few times on this album Joey stepped out of his comfort zone but here he leaps out of it. The beat has this fast paced dancy feel (which of course goes Kiesza hook singing about dancing). It just wasn't Joey's style at all. He made the other "out of comfort zone" songs work but this one...ehh. This one I can understand why it's a bonus track. However, this does have huge single potential if it wasn't one already. Again, I don't where I stand with this one yet. I need more time.

In closing, I'm very impressed overall with this debut. Joey Bada$$ gave us a more in depth look at who he is, where he's from and his overall background. All while still giving us that old school lyrical style that he gave us on the mixtapes. I give it a final grade of a B+. There's a reason why Joey titled this album Before The Money. Sometime the rap game ain't what you always dream it will be. With more publicity, more money, more women, comes more problems. Things are sometimes better the way it was before the fame. Or "before the money" in this case. I don't think this will haunt Joey for long tho considering his talent. But like Biggie said, more money more problems. Let's see how he handles it from here on out. End.

Lyrics: A-

Production: B+

Collaboration: B-

Originality: B+

Concept(s): B+

Final Grade: B+