There’s something very special about seventeen year old Joey BADA$$, a member of Brooklyn collective Pro.Era (Progressive Era). Quintessentially New York, his style appears heavily inspired by ‘golden age’ and mid-Nineties’ism (see also Spaceghostpurrp). He does give somewhat an antithesis to current Rap norm, despite not being far removed from every internet kid’s widespread obsession with lovingly recycled tributes, i.e. the savvily shot 90s Hip-Hop street video with urban decay and a roughneck beat that sounds like it milked D.I.T.C.
But there’s something authentic present in the young man’s intensity – mic skills beyond his years. You can hear and see the unf**kwitable spirit of classic Phife Dawg, AZ and Big L in his delivery and poetics. Capital STEEZ holds his verses too – there’s rhyming partner synergy. I’m certain the Hip-Hop purists will love what it’s all evocative of.
Not surprising then Joey drops a tape entitled ’1999′ (the peak of ‘Shiny Suits’, Ruff Ryders & Native Tongue?) in March. Peep up top and check his Soundcloud while we wait…
