Artist: Joey Bada$$
Release: Summer Knights
Release Date: Out Now
Since his explosive debut in 2012, Joey Bada$$ has been called everything from the saviour of Hip-Hop to the new Nas. Much was also made of his age. At a mere 17 years old, Joey displayed the depth of a rapper over twice his age, and he garnered praise for his refusal to rap over anything that didn’t sound like “true” Hip-Hop. His debut “1999” dropped to praise and world-wide recognition. So now after a crew project, tours and the death of a close friend, Joey gives us “Summer Knights”.
A variety of styles are thrown at the listener from the mixtape outset. From the deceptively smooth intro that turns into almost sinister sounding “Alowha” to the light “Hilary Swank”. “Summer Knights” flies through different sounds, barely pausing to thematically define a section, instead creating a sound that resonates throughout the album. The album creates a genuine feeling of woozy summer nights. With the mellow production, switching up to something vaguely up tempo before quickly regaining it’s composure and returning to the mellow vibe. This isn’t to say the tape is without energy, it speaks more to the soul that gives the tape a weight that click clacky trap beats often fail to deliver.
Lyrically Joey has certainly matured. With all the hype that surrounded him in 2012, he’s almost been forced to do so. The once eager rapid fire lyricist found on “Survival Tactics” now has a genuine confidence that makes him feel less like an eager upstart and more like the main event. This confidence also comes with a weariness too. On “Sweet Dreams” he raps:“when them suckers see you suffer and your cake getting richer and your pockets getting thicker/ that’s when they want you to remember a nigga/ but when I handed you the tape you couldn’t remember to listen/”
He even discusses his mortality on “Death of YOLO”. Where a near car crash makes him reconsider his views on life. All the critical opinion, hype and discussion has left Joey a sharper lyricist. No longer eager to impress, he’s fierce, with his voice descending into a growl on tracks like “Amethyst Rockstar” where he challenges his peers to join him on the level he’s rapping on. He switches between the aggressive and the smooth, to the heartfelt without so much as a skit, on “LongLiveSteelo” he gives a moving performance on the death of his friend, a subject which he has held his tongue making it all the more meaningful.
At 17 tracks, and no skits, the album can feel a little long-winded. And although it doesn’t happen too much, the fan service production that sees classic Hip-Hop being almost remade can be a little jarring. Especially when Joey thrives on beats with an old school feel but with minor touches that bring it up to date.
All in all the mixtape is another star turn from Joey that shows growth in his persona, and depth in his lyricism and song writing that hints at possibly even greater things to come.
8/10
