According to reports, Joey Bada$$ makes a powerful return with his latest track, “The Ruler’s Back,” delivering sharp lyrics aimed at the dominance of West Coast rap, which regained its place at the top in 2024. Against a backdrop of slick yet gritty beats from Conductor Williams and Mario Luciano, Joey critiques both fans and the media for their idolization of West Coast artists, carrying a fiery spirit from last year into the new year.
He raps, “Too much West Coast dick lickin’ / I’m hearing n-ggas throwin’ rocks, really ain’t shit stickin’ / ‘Cause if we’re talking bar for bar, really it’s slim pickings / I rap like I draw pentagrams and kill chickens, n-gga / Fuck around with your soul like Ether, quick for a feature / This that black Air Force energy comin’ out your speaker.”
Joey asserts his dominance over his hometown, confidently positioning himself as the new King of New York, a title once held by legends such as JAY-Z, Nas, and The Notorious B.I.G. He spits, “I’m back by popular demand and world domination / I’m finna bomb on n-ggas’ plans, fresh off my vacation / I was sitting back, watching from an eagle eye / Trying not to react, just give me one reason, I swear I’m on full attack / East Coast n-gga ’til I die it’s / Clear who the heir apparent King of NY is, n-gga.”
“The Ruler’s Back,” a title that unmistakably nods to NYC rappers JAY-Z and Slick Rick, hasn’t hit streaming platforms yet, but the music video is available for viewing below.
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Joey Bada$$: Kendrick Diss or Hip-Hop Callout?
Joey Bada$$’s latest song has ignited significant buzz online, with many speculating that his verses target Kendrick Lamar, a frequent subject of his lyrical jabs.
Yet, a portion of his audience believes “The Ruler’s Back” merely embodies the classic competitive spirit that defines hip-hop culture. A user on X shared, “I’m kinda surprised ppl are looking at this Joey Badass and Conductor track as a Kendrick diss, the whole title is a homage to Jay-Z and Slick Rick, it just seems like he’s telling NY hip hop to step up.” Another fan said, “Joey Badass’ verse is something Kendrick Lamar would appreciate. Rather than going on an interview, GO TO THE BOOTH!! Hip-Hop is a Sport!”
Joey’s 2022 album, 2000, marked his most recent release, and in a 2023 interview, he shared that work on its successor was already well underway. At 29, he compared the upcoming LP to Kanye West’s 808s & Heartbreak, noting: “I definitely can see myself visiting the [All-AmeriKKKan Bada$$] more conceptual and socially aware but a part of me wants to touch on love and my experience with romantic relationships a bit more.” “Something like a boom BAP and heartbreak album. I know my fans will probably hate that but that’s a direction I’ve been wanting to take for a while now whether you motherf*****s like it or not.”
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