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B4.Da.$$

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B4.Da.$$ (pronounced "Before Da Money") is the debut studio album by American rapper Joey Badass. It was released on January 20, 2015, his 20th birthday, by Cinematic Music Group and Relentless Records. The album was released in North America and United Kingdom, as well as being made available for digital download on iTunes.[1][2][3]

B4.Da.$$
Studio album by
Joey Badass
ReleasedJanuary 20, 2015 (2015-01-20)
Recorded2012–2014
Genre
Length53:26
Label
Producer
Joey Badass chronology
Summer Knights
(2013) 		B4.Da.$$
(2015) 		All-Amerikkkan Badass
(2017)
Singles from B4.Da.$$
  1. "Big Dusty"
    Released: August 8, 2014
  2. "Christ Conscious"
    Released: September 30, 2014
  3. "No. 99"
    Released: December 9, 2014
  4. "Curry Chicken"
    Released: December 23, 2014
  5. "On & On"
    Released: December 30, 2014
  6. "Teach Me"
    Released: January 7, 2015
  7. "Like Me"
    Released: February 11, 2015
  8. "Paper Trails"
    Released: June 16, 2015

The album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, selling 54,000 copies in the first week in the United States.[4]

Background

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Joey Badass first began receiving a widespread recognition, following the release of his debut mixtape 1999 on June 12, 2012.[5][6] It was named the 38th best album of 2012, by Complex[7] and the best mixtape of 2012, by HipHopDX,[8] as well as being nominated for "Mixtape of the Year", by BET.[9] In April 2013, B4.Da.$$ was announced as the title to his album, via his Twitter account.[10]

It's coming really soon. I don't want to set a date and be like "yeah it's coming here" then disappoint my fans and not have it ready.

— Joey Badass, in an interview with Oyster Colored Velvet on 7 July 2014.[11]

Joey Badass' recognition continued growing even further with the release of his critically acclaimed single "Unorthodox", produced by DJ Premier, before the release of his second mixtape Summer Knights on July 1, 2013, which was placed 19th on XXL's list of the best mixtapes of 2013.[12]

Recording and production

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Producers who contributed on this album includes these fellow Pro Era members, Kirk Knight and Chuck Strangers, as well as Statik Selektah, DJ Premier, Hit-Boy, J Dilla, The Roots, Samiyam, Basquiat, Freddie Joachim, and Lee Bannon.[13]

Promotion

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The album's release was preceded by the #B4DAMONEYTOUR, where Joey Badass performed several of his singles prior to the album's official release date. The tour featured by American hip-hop recording artist Vince Staples, hip-hop collective Run The Jewels, Chance & Status, Raz Fresco and his own collective Pro Era performing some of their unreleased songs. During the tour, Pro Era released 4 videos (episodes) promoting the tour and the album.

 
Joey Badass first announced B4.Da.$$ in April 2013, and went on tour in Europe, Australia and New Zealand in late 2014 to promote the album prior to its release.

The tour began running across through North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand; though its European leg was cut short due to the death of Joey Badass' cousin Junior B, to whom he dedicated the album, the music video for "No. 99" and the release of his fifth single "On & On". While in Australia, Joey Badass was arrested and charged with assault for allegedly punching a security guard in the face at the Falls Festival in Byron Bay, New South Wales, which resulted in major controversy surrounding him and Pro Era.[14] According to reports, the guard didn't recognize Joey Badass and stopped him before he took to the stage, mistakenly thinking that he was not authorized to be there. He would spend all night in jail, before he was granted bail and pleaded not guilty to the charge during the court hearing on the following day.[15] Prior to the album's release, Pro Era received a major buzz due to a photo of American president Barack Obama's daughter Malia seen wearing a Pro Era shirt. The album would then receive a major coverage, resulting in its pre-sales increasing massively.[16] The album was also featured on Billboard, XXL and Complex's lists of most anticipated albums of 2015.[17][18][19] Prior to the album's release, Joey Badass performed "Like Me" with BJ the Chicago Kid, The Roots and Statik Selektah on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on January 13, 2015.[20]

The night before release, Joey Badass held an early-release concert in Brooklyn's Rough Trade record shop. To gain access, fans had to purchase the album; Joey Badass also did a post-concert meet and greet, where he met the first 50 fans who purchased the album. To celebrate the release of B4.Da.$$ on his 20th birthday, he held a release party in New York City.[21] On February 2, 2015, the album was physically released in the United Kingdom, with Joey Badass performing in an event in East London similar to the launch event at the Rough Trade shop in East London. His fans once again gained access by purchasing the album, while Joey then did a meet-and-greet with his fans after his performance.[22] On February 5, he appeared on Le Before du Grand Journal in France, where he performed "Paper Trails" with Powers Pleasant and then was interviewed by the show's host Thomas Thouroude.[23]

The art direction and music packaging for B4.Da.$$ were done by Pro Era members Tony Whlgn and Dee Knows, featuring Joey Badass on a New York City rooftop.[24]

Singles

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Joey's official debut single, titled "Big Dusty", was released on August 8, 2014.[25] It was produced by Kirk Knight. On September 30, 2014, the song, titled "Christ Conscious" was released as the album's second single. It was produced by Basquiat. The album's third single, titled "No. 99" was released on December 9, 2014.[26] It was produced by Statik Selektah.

On December 23, 2014, 14 days later, the song, titled "Curry Chicken" was released as the album's fourth single.[27] It was produced by Statik Selektah. On December 30, 2014, the song, titled "On & On" featuring Maverick Sabre and Dyemond Lewis, was released as the album's fifth single.[28] It was produced by Freddie Joachim.

Joey Badass premiered the album's sixth single, "Teach Me" featuring Kiesza, on British radio station BBC Radio 1 as Zane Lowe's "Hottest Record" and received frequent airplay on these London radio stations; including Capital Xtra and BBC Radio 1Xtra. On January 19, 2015, a day before the album's release, the single was also featured on BBC Radio 1Xtra as the "Track of the Day". The song peaked at number 23 on the UK R&B Chart.[29]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic75/100[30]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [31]
The A.V. ClubB[32]
Consequence of SoundB+[33]
Exclaim7/10[34]
The Guardian     [35]
HipHopDX     [36]
PopMatters8/10[37]
Rolling Stone     [38]
Slant Magazine     [39]
Spin5/10[40]

B4.Da.$$ was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Michael Madden of Consequence of Sound praised the album, noting that Joey's "wordplay, comparable to his friend Ab-Soul's, remains integral to his approach, but here he's more personal and purposeful than he was on his mixtapes, rapping about rapping but also lamenting the realities of being young and black in America."[33] Vish Khanna of NOW Magazine also gave the album a positive review, saying that "his production choices (and those of Statik Selektah, Kirk Knight and Freddie Joachim) are innovative and timeless."[41] Kyle Fowle of The A.V. Club gave the album a score of B, saying that Joey Badass "finally lives up to the expectations that have been thrust upon him, delivering a confident debut steeped in the history of hip-hop and simultaneously engaged with the current cultural climate."[32] In a positive review, Ken Capobianco of The Boston Globe says that Joey Badass "speaks with a clear-eyed vision about growing up young and black in America. He’s often as playful as he is combative, asserting his place in hip-hop."[42]

Full of praise for the album, Dave Heaton of PopMatters notes that the album "is strikingly similar in tone to the mixtapes; [Joey Badass] is not trying anything different, but rather continuing what's worked well for him. But everything is more refined and better expressed; there are also songs that stand out more as anthems."[37] Nathan Fisher of Inveterate also chips in with another positive review, stating that fans of Joey Badass "will no doubt be impressed and satisfied with what he delivers, which is a mature improvement on his first two efforts, showing clear growth in both delivery and lyrical content."[43] Jesse Cataldo of Slant Magazine gave the album three-and-a-half stars, saying that it "deftly traverses the different economies of the rap world, from the desperate hustle of the streets to the showy wastefulness of the club and the tricky minefield of the music business."[39] Dan Rys of XXL praised the album, noting that "it just so happens that this story is a lot more personal than the 'fuck bitches, get money, do drugs, buy diamonds' aesthetic of so many of [Joey Badass'] peers in the rap game."[44]

Edwin Ortiz of Complex gave the album a mixed review, saying that it "finds a way to balance out the confines of revivalist '90s rap with deeper tracks that play up a more introspective Joey." However, he continues to say that Joey Badass' potential is only "half-realised" on the album, "which speaks to his lack of adjustment in transitioning into a full-fledged artist who truly represents something other than '90s nostalgia rap."[45] David Turner of Rolling Stone gave the album three stars, stating that the album "still sounds like it's stuck in the past, with solid production from old-school legend DJ Premier and his latter-day disciple Statik Selektah."[38] B4.DA.$$ received a mostly positive review from Rebecca Haithcoat of Spin, saying that Joey Badass' style is characterized by "often-poetic lyrics rapped in a blunted monotone over moody production" and is "skilled, but not always very fun. Unless you're a teenager trying to establish aesthetic lines in the sand or an old hip-hop head who still gets excited about a Wu-Tang Clan reunion show, over the course of an hour those cloudy beats and Badass' unrelenting, I-really-mean-it flow get kinda tedious."[40] Paul MacInnes of The Guardian gave the album 2 stars, saying that the album "is often set at the middling pace of a Fugees B-side, and a rapper whose technical abilities are damn close to those old timers he seeks to emulate. In the end, the album is just enough to make the affair interesting."[35]

Commercial performance

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B4.Da.$$ debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200, earning 58,000 album-equivalent units (including 54,000 copies in pure album sales) in its first week, according to Nielsen Soundscan.[46][47] This became Joey Bada$$'s first US top-ten debut.[46] The tally made B4.Da.$$ the top rap album of the week, outperforming Lupe Fiasco's Tetsuo & Youth, also released on January 20, which entered the Billboard 200 at number 14.[48] In its second week, the album fell to number 41 on the chart, selling an additional earning additional 13,000 units.[49] On March 4, 2015, Joey Badass announced on Instagram, that the sales for his album had surpassed 120,000 copies.[50] As of March 2017, the album has sold over 227,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[51]

Track listing

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Credits adapted from the album's official liner notes.[52]

B4.Da.$$[53]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Save the Children"
Statik Selektah3:35
2."Greenbax (Introlude)"
Lee Bannon0:48
3."Paper Trails"
DJ Premier3:14
4."Piece of Mind"
  • Scott
  • Freddie Joachim
Joachim3:38
5."Big Dusty"
Kirk Knight4:53
6."Hazeus View"
  • Scott
  • Labarrie
3:39
7."Like Me" (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid)
4:28
8."Belly of the Beast" (featuring Chronixx)
Hit-Boy3:56
9."No. 99"
  • Scott
  • Baril
  • Statik Selektah
  • 1-900[a]
2:46
10."Christ Conscious"ScottBasquiat2:53
11."On & On" (featuring Dyemond Lewis and Maverick Sabre)
Joachim4:40
12."Escape 120" (featuring Raury)
Chuck Strangers3:47
13."Black Beetles"
  • Scott
  • Jessamy
  • Chuck Strangers
  • 1-900[a]
3:50
14."O.C.B."
Samiyam3:43
15."Curry Chicken"
  • Scott
  • Baril
  • Statik Selektah
  • 1-900[a]
  • Antman Wonder[a]
3:33
Total length:53:26
Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."Run Up On Ya" (featuring Action Bronson and Elle Varner)
Statik Selektah4:08
17."Teach Me" (featuring Kiesza)
  • ASTR
  • Chuck Strangers
4:18

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies an additional producer
  • "Greenbax (Introlude)" and "Like Me" features additional vocals by Kirk Knight
  • "Piece of Mind" features additional vocals by Dyemond Lewis
  • "Big Dusty" features additional vocals by James Niche
  • "Hazeus View" features additional vocals by Francesca Guzman
  • "No.99" and "O.C.B" features additional vocals by Wayne "Heirowayne" Harewood
  • "Curry Chicken" features additional vocals by Cole Williams
 
"Big Dusty"
29-second sample of "Big Dusty", the fifth track on and debut single from the album.
"Teach Me"
26-second sample of "Teach Me", the second bonus track on and sixth single from the album.
Problems playing these files? See media help.

Personnel

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Credits for B4.Da.$$ adapted from AllMusic.[24]

Charts

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Release history

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Region Date Format Label
United Kingdom[1] January 20, 2015 CD, digital download Cinematic, Relentless, Sony Music UK
United States[2][3] Pro Era, Cinematic, RED
Worldwide[66] January 27, 2015 LP
Japan[67] February 8, 2015 CD, digital download Cinematic, Sony Music Japan

References

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  1. ^ a b "iTunes - Music - B4.DA.$$ by Joey Bada$$". iTunes UK. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "iTunes - Music - B4.DA.$$ by Joey Bada$$". iTunes US. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Amazon.com: Joey Bada$$: B4.DA.$$ (CD): Music". Amazon Music. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  4. ^ Balfour, Jay (28 January 2015). "Hip Hop Album Sales: Joey Bada$$, Nicki Minaj, Lupe Fiasco". HipHopDX. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  5. ^ Caramanica, Jon New Releases New York Times, 7/29/12
  6. ^ Zeichner, Naomi Waves Video The Fader, 6/2/12
  7. ^ "38. Joey Bada$$, 1999 — The 50 Best Albums of 2012". Complex. 2012-12-18. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
  8. ^ "HipHopDX's Top 10 Mixtapes Of 2012 | Discussing Lil' Wayne, Drake & Many More Hip Hop Artists". HipHop DX. 2012-12-31. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
  9. ^ "Best Mixtape | Hip-Hop Awards". BET. 2012-09-12. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved 2013-03-25.
  10. ^ "Joey Bada$$ Announces New Solo, Capital STEEZ Projects Dropping In Summer & Fall - XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2013-04-20. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
  11. ^ "Joey Bada$$ talks B4.DA.$$, Snoop Dogg and keeping it real on Twitter". Oyster Colored Velvet. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  12. ^ "The 25 Best Mixtapes of 2013 - XXL".
  13. ^ Fleischer, Adam (25 September 2014). "Joey Bada$$ Just Finished His Album And It Will Feature Hit-Boy, DJ Premier And Kiesza". MTV. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014.
  14. ^ Tom Breihan (5 January 2015). "Joey Bada$$ Arrested For Hospitalizing Australian Security Guard". Stereogum. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  15. ^ "Joey Bada$$ Arrested in Australia for Allegedly Assaulting a Security Guard". Spin.com. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  16. ^ Dana Schuster (14 January 2015). "How Malia Obama is shaping teen tastes". New York Post. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  17. ^ "30 Most Anticipated Albums of 2015". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  18. ^ "Here is the Status of the 25 Most Anticipated Albums of 2014 - XXL".
  19. ^ "The Most Anticipated Albums of 2014".
  20. ^ "Joey Bada$$: Like Me". NBC. 13 January 2015. Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  21. ^ "Joey Bada$$ playing album release show at Rough Trade, playing Fallon, collaborated with Kiesza (listen)". Brooklyn Vegan. 13 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  22. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-02-05. Retrieved 2015-02-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. ^ "Avec Joey Badass – Le Before du 05/02". CanalPlus.fr. 5 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  24. ^ a b "Joey Bada$$ – B4.DA.$$". AllMusic. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  25. ^ Lilah, Rose (12 August 2014). "Joey Bada$$ "Big Dusty" Video". Hot New Hip Hop.
  26. ^ Block, Justin (29 September 2014). "Stream Joey Bada$$' "Christ Conscious"". Complex.
  27. ^ "Joey Bada$$ - "Curry Chicken"". STEREOGUM. 23 December 2014.
  28. ^ Frydenlund, Zach. "Premiere: Listen to Joey Bada$$' "On & On" f/ Maverick Sabre and Dyemond Lewis". Complex. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  29. ^ "UK R&B Singles Chart". UK. 2015-02-14. Retrieved 2015-04-23.
  30. ^ "Critic Reviews for B4.DA.$$". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  31. ^ Jeffries, David (January 20, 2015). "Joey Bada$$ - B4.DA.$$". AllMusic. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  32. ^ a b Fowle, Kyle (January 20, 2015). "Joey Bada$$ thoughtfully engages with hip-hop's past on his debut album". The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  33. ^ a b Madden, Michael (January 20, 2015). "Joey Bada$$ – B4.Da.$$". Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  34. ^ Lowers, Erin (January 20, 2015). "B4.DA.$$". Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  35. ^ a b MacInnes, Paul (January 15, 2015). "Joey Bada$$: B4.DA.$$ review – 90s hip-hop nostalgia that wears thin too soon". TheGuardian.com.
  36. ^ Balfour, Jay (January 20, 2014). "Joey Bada$$ - B4.Da.$$". Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  37. ^ a b Heaton, Dave (January 21, 2015). "Joey Bada$$: B4.DA.$$".
  38. ^ a b Turner, David (January 20, 2015). "B4.DA.$$". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  39. ^ a b Cataldo, Jesse (January 20, 2015). "Album Review: Joey Bada$$ – B4.DA.$$". Slant Magazine. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  40. ^ a b Haithcoat, Rebecca (January 20, 2015). "Review: Joey Bada$$' Throwback 'B4.DA.$$' You'll Want to Throw Back".
  41. ^ Khanna, Vish (21 January 2015). "Joey Bada$$ – B4.DA.$$". Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  42. ^ Capobianco, Ken (20 January 2015). "Joey Bada$$, 'B4.DA.$$'". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  43. ^ Fisher, Nathan (January 20, 2015). "Review: Joey Bada$$ - B4.DA.$$". Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  44. ^ Rys, Dan (January 23, 2015). "Joey Bada$$ Takes A Big Step Forward On 'B4.Da.$$'". XXL. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  45. ^ Ortiz, Edwin (21 January 2015). "Joey Bada$$ Stays Trapped in the '90s on "B4.DA.$$"". Complex Networks. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  46. ^ a b Keith Caulfield (January 28, 2015). "Fall Out Boy Scores Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  47. ^ Jay Balfour (January 28, 2015). "Hip Hop Album Sales: Joey Bada$$ Lupe Fiasco Nicki Minaj". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  48. ^ Walsh, Peter (28 January 2015). "Joey Bada$$' 'B4.DA.$$' Debuts At No. 5 In This Week's Album Sales". XXL. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  49. ^ Harling, Danielle (February 2, 2015). "Hip Hop Album Sales: Ne-Yo, Pitbull & Joey Bada$$". HipHopDX. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  50. ^ "Joey Bada$$ (@jozifbadmon) on Instagram: "120,0000 strong! Thank ya'll #B4DAMONEY #LongLiveSteelo #ForeverJR"". Instagram. March 4, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  51. ^ "Joey Bada$$ on Finding His Sound In The Era of Trump: 'It's Time to Wake the F--k Back Up". Billboard. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  52. ^ "Digital Booklet - B4.DA.$$". Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  53. ^ "Joey Badass Drops Defıant New Sıngle And Album Artwork". 2014-12-09. Retrieved 2014-12-09.
  54. ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  55. ^ "Joey Bada$$ Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard.
  56. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Joey Bada$$ – B4.da.$$" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  57. ^ "Charts.nz – Joey Bada$$ – B4.da.$$". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  58. ^ "Joey Bada$$ | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart.
  59. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  60. ^ "Joey Bada$$ Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  61. ^ "Joey Badass Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard.
  62. ^ "Joey Bada$$ Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
  63. ^ "Joey Bada$$ Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard.
  64. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Joey Bada$$ – B4.Da.$$" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  65. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2015". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  66. ^ "Amazon.com: Joey Bada$$: B4.DA.$$ (LP): Music". Amazon Music. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  67. ^ "iTunes - Music - B4.DA.$$ by Joey Bada$$". iTunes Japan. Retrieved January 9, 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
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