New music from Maverick Sabre, with help from Joey Bad.

20 year-old Brooklynite Joey Bada$$ has been hailed as the torch-bearer for the return of the “golden era” sound, despite being born at the end of the era in 1995. Nevertheless, one can only imagine that songs from Black Moon, Mos Def, and Jeru The Damaja were playing in his neighborhood growing up, as he is the product of “the last generation” that M.O.P. told us about. His mindset is in the right place, even suggesting “This kid ain’t been the same since Biggie smacked me at my christening,” on the DJ Premier produced “Paper Trail,” that trail leading directly to a classic line on Biggie’s live freestyle with 2Pac from Big Daddy Kane’s birthday party recording. Yeah, the kid knows his shit.

We’re grateful to hear a young Brooklyn voice carry on the tradition of his forefathers, especially since many New York rappers of the last decade have instead attempted to adopt Southern styles of rap, or just resigned to emulating the over-thuggery attitudes of Ruff Ryders and 50 Cent. The production on the brilliantly titled B4.Da.$$, harks back to the late 90s / early 2000s sound, so much that if we didn’t know better and you told us this album was released on Rawkus in ’99, we would have believed it.

Statik Selektah’s lush jazz samples help open and close the album with the excellent pair of tracks “Save The Children” and “Curry Chicken,” while J. Dilla & The Roots provide the backdrop on the chilled out “Like Me,” featuring BJ the Chicago Kid. However most of the production is handled by affiliates of Joey’s Pro Era crew, such as Kirk Knight, Freddie Joachim, and Chuck Strangers, a team of producers that help flesh out the album well and deliver that classic sound. Songs like smoothed out, xylophone driven “Piece Of Mind,” the dancehall tinged “Belly Of The Beast,” and the 90s aggro gangsta rap driven “No. 99″ each capture that forgotten, vintage sound. Even Joey’s one crossover attempt, “Teach Me,” with Kiesza still has a cool, “Umi Says” kind of vibe to it.

Naturally, everything about the old school wasn’t great, and some of that surfaces here. “Big Dusty” employs a hollow, repetitive hook all too reminiscent of unsold HipHopSite retail store 12″ deadstock, as Joey chants “Check my style, check, check, check it out! Check my style, check check check it out!” Other times, things drag along on tracks like “Christ Conscious”, “O.C.B.” and “Black Beetles.” None of these tracks are particularly bad, they just make this otherwise solid album longer than it needs to be.

Best news of all, Joey Bada$$ has better first week sales that Rae Sremmurd and Kid Ink, suggesting that perhaps people are tired of the redundant formulas and are finally fiending for nostalgia. B4.Da.$$ is a well put together debut with a level of authenticity that clearly knows where it came from: Brooklyn, the planet.

Directed by Nathan R. Smith, produced by J Dilla & The Roots. From the album B4Da$$, available now.

Joey’s collab with Kiesza from B4Da$$ gets an official lyric video.

Joey Bada$$ performs his non-album birthday song up at Sway In The Morning. B4Da$$ in stores now.

A little something extra from Joey Bada$$, as he gifts his fans for his birthday and album release date. B4Da$$ is in stores now.

Joey’s B4Da$$ hits January 20th. Bonus, peep Joey on Hot 97 in the second clip below.

With help from The Roots, Statik Selektah, and BJ The Chicago Kid. B4Da$$ is due January 20th.

Tonight, BBC Radio 1′s Zane Lowe premiered a new Joey Bada$$ song featuring Canadian artist Kiesza as his “Hottest Record in the World.” This Kiesza collaboration shows Joey stepping into new territory on the upbeat ASTR & Chuck Strangers produced “Teach Me.” The track is now available as a instant gratification download when the album is pre-ordered on iTunes as well as available for stream on soundcloud. The album will arrive on Joey’s 20th birthday, January 20, 2015 via Cinematic Music Group / Pro Era. Listen to “Teach Me” below.

Tonight, Joey Bada$$ is sharing one more new track from his debut album, B4.DA.$$, before the new year. Joey is sharing the Freddie Joachim-produced, “On and On” featuring Maverick Sabre & Dyemond Lewis. The track is now available as a instant gratification download when the album is pre-ordered on iTunes as well as available for stream on soundcloud. The album will arrive on Joey’s 20th birthday, January 20, 2015 via Cinematic Music Group / Pro Era. Listen to “On and On” below. Bonus, here is the updated tracklist with full production credits.

1. Save The Children (prod by Statik Selektah)
2. Greenbax (prod by Lee Bannon)
3. Paper Trails (prod. by Dj Premier)
4. Piece of Mine (prod by Freddie Joachim)
5. Big Dusty (prod by Kirk Knight)
6. Hazeus View (prod. by Kirk Knight)
7. Like Me ft. BJ The Chicago Kid (prod. by J Dilla & The Roots)
8. Belly Of The Beast ft. Chronixx (prod by Hit Boy)
9. No.99 (prod. by Statik Selektah)
10. Christ Conscience (prod. by Basquiat)
11. On & On ft. Maverick Sabre & Dyemond Lewis (prod by Freddie Joachim)
12. Escape 120″ featuring Raury (prod. by Chuck Strangers)
13. Black Beatles (prod by Chuck Strangers)
14. O.C.B. (prod. by Sam I AM & The Soul Rebels)
15. Curry Chicken (prod. by Statik Selektah)
(Bonus) Run Up On Ya ft. Action Bronson & Elle Varner (prod. by Statik Selektah)
(Bonus) Teach Me How ft. Kiesza (prod by Chuck Strangers & ASTR)

Statik Selektah on the beat, proving once again he is one of the game’s best producers. B4.DA.$$ hits January 20th.

B4.DA.$$ available everywhere 1/20/2015.

Joey Bada$$’s highly anticipated debut album, B4Da$$ (Before The Money), will drop January 20th. Here is a look at the cover art, tracklist, and first single, “No. 99,” produced by Statik Selektah.

1. Save The Children
2. Greenbax (Introlude)
3. Paper Trail$
4. Piece of Mind
5. Big Dusty
6. Hazeus View
7. Like Me (feat. BJ The Chicago Kid)
8. Belly of the Beast (feat. Chronixx)
9. No. 99
10. Christ Conscious
11. On & On (feat. Maverick Sabre & Dymeond Lewis)
12. Escape 120 (feat. Raury)
13. Black Beetles
14. O.C.B.
15. Curry Chicken
16. Run Up On Ya (feat. Action Bronson & Elle Varner) (Bonus)
17. Teach Me (feat. Kiesza) (Bonus)

B4.DA.$$ available everywhere 1/20/2015

“P.eace young world this is the Badmon Jozif and I just want to thank all of my supporters and fans for being so patient with me as I finished my first album. The wait is finally almost over and the release date is locked and loaded. After discovering my birthday falls on a Tuesday (the day of the week all albums drop) next year I decided to save the album drop for then (1.20.15). I thought it was the best time to cause a shift. It’s always been a goal of mine to drop a project on my birthday and the premonition has finally come into fruition. The number 120 is very unique and symbolic to me as well. My 1st album on my 20th birthday this was destiny.” – B4.DA.$$ P.eace!

Video directed by Rik Cordero (@RikCordero)

R&R: “R&R recently linked up with Joey across two countries to capture him for our ‘Evening With’ series. We discuss performing and concert vibes with the Brooklyn wordsmith and capture some footage of a crazy show in Paris, France. Joey discusses his favourite show, why performances are so rewarding and the importance of artists making music for themselves.

Look out for our other Joey Bada$$ content on the channel and don’t forget to subscribe for more from your favourite artists.”