Joey Bada$$ returns fiercely with his latest single “The Ruler’s Back,” delivering competitive shots at West Coast Hip Hop following its resurgence in 2024.
Against polished but dirty beats created by Conductor Williams and Mario Luciano, the Brooklyn MC expresses frustration with fans and the press who overly praise his West Coast rap contemporaries, carrying over some of the confrontational spirit from last year into 2025.
“Excessive West Coast admiration / I’m hearing folks tossing stones, but nothing’s landing / Because if it’s about bars for bars, it’s truly lacking / I flow like I sketch pentagrams and slaughter birds, homie / Mess around with your essence like Ether, fast for a verse / This is that black Air Force vibe blaring from your speaker,” he raps.
Regarding his own city, Joey confidently asserts his right to the King of New York title, a crown once held by legends such as JAY-Z, Nas, and The Notorious B.I.G.
“I’m back by popular demand and world domination / I’m finna bomb on n-ggas’ plans, fresh off my vacation / I was sitting back, watching from an eagle eye / Trying not to react, just give me one reason, I swear I’m on full attack / East Coast n-gga ’til I die it’s / Clear who the heir apparent King of NY is, n-gga,” he raps.
“The Ruler’s Back” — a title that, naturally, references fellow New Yorkers JAY-Z and Slick Rick — has not yet appeared on streaming platforms, but its music video is accessible below.
The song has generated significant buzz on social media, with some people perceiving Joey Bada$$’s lyrics as targeted at West Coast star Kendrick Lamar, whom he is familiar with criticizing in his music.
Nevertheless, some fans contend that “The Ruler’s Back” is simply classic Hip Hop rivalry.
“I’m somewhat shocked that people view this Joey Badass and Conductor track as a Kendrick diss; the entire title pays tribute to Jay-Z and Slick Rick, and it appears he’s urging NY hip hop to elevate,” a fan commented on X (formerly Twitter).
Another chimed in: “Kendrick Lamar would value Joey Badass’ verse.” Instead of attending an interview, HEAD TO THE BOOTH!! “Hip-Hop is a Game!”
The Pro Era artist has been quite subdued in the past year, releasing only two singles: “Tell Me” with Chloe Bailey and the KayCyy-featured “Passports & Suitcases.”
He has also featured on several tracks by artists such as Cordae, Conway The Machine, IDK, Erick the Architect, and Powers Pleasant.
Joey’s most recent album, 2000, was released in 2022, and he disclosed last year that he was already “knee-deep” into a subsequent project.
The 29-year-old earlier compared his upcoming LP to Kanye West’s 808s & Heartbreak, stating: “I can fully envision delving into the [All-AmeriKKKan Bada$$] more conceptual and socially conscious, but part of me wishes to explore love and my encounters with romantic relationships more deeply.”
“An album resembling a boom BAP combined with themes of heartbreak.” I understand my fans might dislike this, but it’s a path I’ve wanted to pursue for some time now, whether you assholes approve or not.
