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ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$- A Deconstruction
All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ is Joey’s fourth solo project and second studio album to release on streaming, and it shows a shift in focus from his other three projects. 1999, Summer Knights, and B4.Da.$$ are heavily focused on bars and technical ability; AABA takes a different route.
The focus of AABA is political. Joey was starting to get exposure in the rap scene, and he decided to use his new platform to comment on the ills of American society. On AABA Joey covers a variety of topics including police brutality, oppression, and his disdain for Donald Trump
Track 1: GOOD MORNING AMERIKKKA
This track gives a quick dive into the elements he’ll be covering in the album. The first lines of the album, “Now, what's freedom to you?/Let’s talk about it, take a minute, think it through” are a very heavy indicator of the theme.
This track gives a quick dive into the elements he’ll be covering in the album. The first lines of the album, “Now, what's freedom to you?/Let’s talk about it, take a minute, think it through” are a very heavy indicator of the theme.
Track 2: FOR MY PEOPLE
This track details the issues that people of color face daily. Joey dives into police brutality and societal racism and reminisces about his less fortunate upbringing
(1/3)
This track details the issues that people of color face daily. Joey dives into police brutality and societal racism and reminisces about his less fortunate upbringing
(1/3)
He expresses his gratitude for where he is now. He is thankful for being able to use his platform to speak on these issues, and hopefully create some awareness of them. (2/3)
He talks about how America does not want to see people of color succeed. “They don’t wanna see you fly, they just gonna shoot your wings” is a telling bar. Systemic or not, racism and prejudice are running rampant. There are too many barriers for a minority to become successful.
Track 3: TEMPTATION
This track begins with a chilling excerpt from a speech given by a nine-year-old girl days after a police shooting. Joey then begins rapping about the same subject Zianna was talking about. Why does skin color have a bearing on their worth as a person?(1/3)
This track begins with a chilling excerpt from a speech given by a nine-year-old girl days after a police shooting. Joey then begins rapping about the same subject Zianna was talking about. Why does skin color have a bearing on their worth as a person?(1/3)
The chorus of this song is from on the POV of a young minority. He describes many temptations in life. One is to follow a life of crime instead of taking the honest route. For one who is struggling financially, crime can be appealing. It can be a fast route to get you up.
(2/3)
(2/3)
Joey speaks on these temptations, and empathizes with those people who endure them. He knows what it was like. But, he is trying to send the message that you can get past them. The people who face these temptations can get above them. (3/3)
Track 4: LAND OF THE FREE
Joey feels like he is not only speaking from himself on this track, but those before him as well. He asks his ancestors what he should do about it. He then goes on and claims that the true way to success is to follow the heart, not follow suit.
(1/3)
Joey feels like he is not only speaking from himself on this track, but those before him as well. He asks his ancestors what he should do about it. He then goes on and claims that the true way to success is to follow the heart, not follow suit.
(1/3)
The common American life, sitting in a cubicle with a 9-5 job is not the way to live. Joey is calling society out to stop following the “American Dream” and to follow our hearts. It will lead to a more fulfilled life, instead of the monotonous lives so many of our people live.
He also speaks on Obama and Trump in this track. He appreciates the fact Obama was elected but knows he is not enough to reverse 300 years of racism. He then calls out Trump, stating he is not equipped to take this country over. He warns everyone not to be scared of him. (3/3)
Track 5: DEVASTATED
This track is about keeping faith. Joey was very upset with his lack of exposure early in his career. But eventually he did start to receive that acclaim, and his life is obviously far better with it. His main message is that retribution comes with patience
This track is about keeping faith. Joey was very upset with his lack of exposure early in his career. But eventually he did start to receive that acclaim, and his life is obviously far better with it. His main message is that retribution comes with patience
Track 6: Y U DON’T LOVE ME? (MISS AMERIKKKA)
On this track, Joey speaks on the identity of minorities within the context of America. This song is essentially a love song about America. He speaks about how beautiful the relationship could be.
On this track, Joey speaks on the identity of minorities within the context of America. This song is essentially a love song about America. He speaks about how beautiful the relationship could be.
Track 7: ROCKABYE BABY
This track is Joey and Schoolboy discussing their role in America. Both of the rappers reflect their drug dealing pasts and gang affiliations. It was the only option they had, and they speak on how they understand that sometimes its the only way to survive
This track is Joey and Schoolboy discussing their role in America. Both of the rappers reflect their drug dealing pasts and gang affiliations. It was the only option they had, and they speak on how they understand that sometimes its the only way to survive
They also speak on and mass incarceration. Saying “Your kids don't know you no more//No phone call accepted in weeks." Children are losing their role models because of mass incarceration. Without role models, those children are then sometimes pointed towards crime. Cycle repeats
Track 8: RING THE ALARM
This track is a total shift from the political agenda of this album. Joey, Meechy Darko, Nyck Caution, and Kirk Knight express their disdain for the current rap game and its lack of bars. They showcase their lyrical dominance and just drop come crazy bars
This track is a total shift from the political agenda of this album. Joey, Meechy Darko, Nyck Caution, and Kirk Knight express their disdain for the current rap game and its lack of bars. They showcase their lyrical dominance and just drop come crazy bars
Track 9: SUPER PREDATOR
Joey titles the track after the infamous term “super-predator” coined by John DiIulio. The song goes after the term, which has been used to degrade black youth as having no respect for human life. (1/2)
Joey titles the track after the infamous term “super-predator” coined by John DiIulio. The song goes after the term, which has been used to degrade black youth as having no respect for human life. (1/2)
In addition to the song’s political agenda, it can also be seen as displaying Joey’s belief that he is the next King of NY hip-hop. The song has a clear NY rap sound, and it makes references to Biggie, Jay-Z, Method Man and it also features Styles P, another NY hip hop legend.
Track 10: BABYLON
Joey and Chronixx take a reggae vibe for this song. The two speak on oppression in two specific cases. The Rastafari religion (which Cronixx is a part of) and american Police oppression. Rastafari oppression is also based heavily in the police system. (1/2)
Joey and Chronixx take a reggae vibe for this song. The two speak on oppression in two specific cases. The Rastafari religion (which Cronixx is a part of) and american Police oppression. Rastafari oppression is also based heavily in the police system. (1/2)
The two spit a similar message about two different places.
It adds the perspective that oppression can happen anywhere not just in America. Even though it is prominent in this country. (2/2)
It adds the perspective that oppression can happen anywhere not just in America. Even though it is prominent in this country. (2/2)
Track 11 LEGENDARY
Joey and J Cole talk about the idea of black people being disenfranchised. The most telling message is that minorities will not stop trying to get to the top, and that the inspiration from legends will never go away. They want to the a part of that influence.
Joey and J Cole talk about the idea of black people being disenfranchised. The most telling message is that minorities will not stop trying to get to the top, and that the inspiration from legends will never go away. They want to the a part of that influence.
Track 12: AMERIKKKAN IDOL
The final track on ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ shows Joey outright denouncing the American government, going against negative stereotypes and calling out the government’s plan to exterminate the black people of America. It is a metaphorical middle finger.
The final track on ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ shows Joey outright denouncing the American government, going against negative stereotypes and calling out the government’s plan to exterminate the black people of America. It is a metaphorical middle finger.
While this may not be Joey’s most lyrically dominant project, it is conscious, well put together, and well-executed use of Joey’s platform to speak on the rampant issues going on in America. I hope this allows someone to appreciate this album for what it really is. Thank you.
