Joey Bada$$ - Land of the Free (2017)

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Joey Bada$$ - Land of the Free

Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott (born January 20, 1995), best known as Joey Badass (stylized as Joey Bada$$), is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, record producer and actress. A native of Brooklyn, New York, he is a founding member of the Pro Era, with which he has released three mixtapes, as well as various solo projects.

Joey Badass released his debut mixtape, 1999, on 12 June 2012, which received critical acclaim and appreciation, followed by Rejex in September, and Summer Knights on 1 July 2013. His debut studio album, B4.Da.$$, was released on January 20, 2015. In July 2016, Mr Robot made his TV debut on the U.S. network. His second studio album All-Amerikkkan Badass was released on April 7th, 2017. [1]

Key Lyrics

Can't change the world 'less we change ourselves

Die from the sicknesses if we don't seek the health

All eyes be my witness when I speak what's felt Full house on my hands, the cards I was dealt

Three K's, Two A's in AmeriKKKa"


"I'm just a black spade spawn out the nebula

And everything I do or say today that's worthwhile

Will for sure inspire action in your first child”


Sorry America, but I will not be your soldier

Obama just wasn't enough, I just need some more closure

And Donald Trump is not equipped to take this country over

Let's face facts 'cause we know what's the real motives

In the land of the free, is for the free loaders

Leave us dead in the street then be your organ donors

They disorganized my people, made us all loners

Still got the last names of our slave owners”

Critics on Black Racism

Joey published "Land of the Free," a passionate criticism of injustice in America that touches on President Donald Trump's government, which included mass imprisonment, police violence, and the rise of white nationalism.

"(Trump) revealed that (racism) is still alive and well — that there's still bigots out there. He exposed the bigotry that still exists in this country even after a black president," Joey said.

Joey said his latest album of music was influenced and filled with a sense of duty that he felt as a young artist to speak out about topics that had an influence on his culture.

"This is what I think about every day. This is not me stepping out of my comfort zone or anything. This is literally what I feel and what I've been dealing with since I was born."

Joey shared his own experience of racism as a young black man in New York City. "Just being a young black man, throughout my lifetime there's been many encounters that I had that I deem as racist," he said, explaining occasions when he would be observed or harassed by going to shops and not being able to hail a cab in New York City late at night. [2]

In the video he co-directed with Nathan R. Smith, Joey introduces himself as an all-American alternative, leading a group of chained African-Americans through mountainous terrain, before coming to a showdown with patriarchal figures in the form of white policemen, merchants, and lawmakers. In a climactic scene, Joey is lynched before the Klansmen converge around a burning cross and lift their hoods to expose the uniforms of the police officer.

In "Land of the Free," Joey foreshadows an album that aims to take the political voice of hip-hop very literally. [3]

Reference

  1. Joey Badass. en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved on Feb 4, 2021.
  2. Zaru, Deena. Joey Badass gets political: There's a silver lining to the Trump presidency. August 16, 2017. edition.cnn.com. Retrieved on Feb 4, 2021.
  3. Carmichael, Rodney. Joey Bada$$, With The Strong 'Land Of The Free,' Finds A Target. March 7, 2017. npr.org. Retrieved on Feb 4, 2021.