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Joey Bada$$ is challenging rappers from coast to coast with his brand-new single.
On Wednesday, January 1, the New York MC shared his latest song "The Ruler's Back" produced by Conductor Williams. On the smooth banger, Joey Bada$$ makes his grand return by gunning for the crown as the King of New York and slamming all the love West Coast artists have received lately.
"I swear, I'm on full attack, East Coast n***a 'til I die/It's clear who the heir apparent king of NY," he raps. "Too much West Coast d*ck lickin'/I'm hearin' n***as throwin' rocks, really ain't s**t stickin'/'Cause if we talkin' bar-for-bar, really it's slim pickings."
Joey Bada$$'s defensive bars were interpreted in a few ways. Some fans online believe he took a shot at Kendrick Lamar when he rapped, "I got murals in my city, f**k a nomination/This for every time they left me out the conversation." They also pointed to his line "This that black Air Force energy comin' out your speaker," which could be a reference to the black Air Force 1's that appears in the cover art for Lamar's untitled song known as "Watch The Party Die."
Other fans think Bada$$ is simply being competitive. The song title is an homage to veteran rappers with roots in New York City like JAY-Z and Slick Rick, who also have songs called "The Ruler's Back." He doesn't take aim at any one artist in particular. Instead, he shouts out his late friend Capital Steez and warns all challengers that he's ready to take the throne in his hometown.
"Still reigning rap supreme, me and Steelo had a dream/I stand tall in this rap thing like Yao Ming," he spits. "And won't stop 'til the crowd sing when I'm crowned king/My aura scream and my style ring/This ain't boom bap, n***a, this that boom-bow-bing."
Watch the music video for Joey Bada$$'s new song "The Ruler's Back" below.
