By Martin Castro (Contributor) – Email
Print Edition: January 28, 2015
Coming off his release of his highly acclaimed mixtape 1999, as well as numerous guest appearances on various songs over the past two years, Joey’s debut album B4.Da.$$ (pronounced “before the money”) proves to be a solid project that doesn’t disappoint.
Joey kicks the record off with quality rhymes and wordplay on “Save the Children,” which includes nostalgic production and sampled horns. The song does an adequate job of setting up the record as an intro. Then “Paper Trails” sees Joey kick it into high gear with tightly constructed rhymes and a catchy hook. His lyrical ability shines especially on tracks like “Piece of Mind,” in which Joey rhymes with a consistency that’s rare nowadays, while not sounding stressed throughout.
Cue “Big Dusty,” the first single on the record, in which Joey treats the listener with a beast of a verse delivered over heavy percussion and a piano riff. His rhymes are always on-point, and Joey uses consonance and alliteration to his benefit: “I stand juxtaposed to all my pros, realest illest niggas I know / see these foes biting the flows, they even jux the pose.”
“Like Me” features some really laid-back production by J Dilla and the Roots, and really vibrant imagery courtesy of Joey, as well as some great verses: “I’m pretty sure — like nice beaches — that even at my weakest, I still leave ‘em speechless / How you like those peaches?” As well as rhyming flawlessly throughout the track, Joey seems really at home in a production style that’s quite reminiscent of late ‘90s and early 2000s R&B.
“Belly of the Beast” (which features vocals and a verse by Chronixx) proved to be one of my favourite tracks off this record. The track is quite heavily influenced by the Caribbean dub aesthetic. One of the things that struck me, apart from it being really infectious and relaxed, was Joey’s ability to shift his tone and cadence to suit the different style of this track, without sacrificing any technical aspects of his rapping.
“No. 99” is probably the track that’s most influenced by ’90s hip-hop (think Wu-Tang Clan); however, there is some amazing wordplay all over this track. Joey also treats the listener to high-intensity rhyming which displays the skills he has honed over the years. “Christ Conscious” also sees Joey deliver intricate rhymes during one well-crafted two-minute verse, over production that’s all bass, kick-drum, and an echoing, muted trumpet.
The distinctly funky “On & On” is much more influenced by R&B in contrast to its predecessor, though Joey again delivers. There’s a lot of groove in this thing: I dare you to listen without bobbing your head up and down.
Other tracks that deserve recognition on this 17-track-long LP are the jazzy “Curry Chicken,” and the more contemporary bonus track “Teach Me.” Overall, Joey Bada$$’s debut LP proves to be everything I hoped it would be, and if Joey keeps growing and improving his craft, there’s not much he won’t be able to accomplish throughout his career.
