Portland – The Wonder Ballroom’s floor was covered with empty, trampled cups, discarded white t-shirts and plenty of sweat Friday night when Joey Bada$$ arrived to a sold-out Portland crowd. The 19-year-old has made his affinity for classic hip-hop artists very clear, both in his music and outside of it, but his presence solidifies it. The already drenched in sweat crowd was serenaded by old favorites with “The Next Episode” and “Juicy” playing just before his arrival to the stage as chants of “Joey, Joey!” came to a head. Sure enough, as the music started, the rapper’s familiar voice shouted from the shadows, “put your mother fucking hands up in the sky right now.”
Hailing from Brooklyn, a hotbed of hip-hop legends, Joey Bada$$ is dedicated to bringing back the OG style of those before him. Not only is he successful at recreating the genre, he does so all while being an independent artist. Co-founder of the hip-hop collective Pro Era, he released his first mixtape, 1999, independently in 2012. His debut album, B4.DA.$$, was released this year to the excitement of fans and critics. But Joey isn’t only looking to bring rap back to its more powerful roots; he aims to identify society’s flaws. His music doesn’t shy away from touchy social subjects, and being a product of the streets of Brooklyn, he knows them all too well. His newest single, “Paper Trail$” attacks greed and success, but the ultimate necessity we’ve made it: “They say money is the root of all evil, I say money is the root of all people.”
His set started with tracks mainly off of 1999 and a direct message to the crowd: “the more energy you give to me, the more energy you shall receive.” The audience made a note of that for the duration of the set as they kept their hands in the air, moved franticly as one, created a mosh pit and even carried the rapper through the crowd on his final encore. With each song, the crowd grew wilder; audience members ripped off their shirts, sprayed water in an attempt to cool off and only snapchatted in dire straits. All iPhones aside, the audience had a euphoric energy derived exclusively from Joey Bada$$’s own incredible energy.
“Waves”, a focal point of the rapper’s immediate popularity, was a standout of the set; we’d all been waiting for it. The track is backed by classical jazz and his perfectly timed verses recognize his upbringing in Brooklyn and his thirst for more: “You’ll get it in your vocals / if you ain’t a local / that’s why I’m trying to go global / that’s why I’m trying to be a mogul.” His delivery is quick, emotional and raw. Joey Bada$$ ’s music isn’t about a bass-heavy production or gimmicky lyrics; it’s about reality in its best and worst forms. It’s about the things we don’t want to talk about but ultimately have to.
Joey Bada$$ is an artist that takes risks. He’s dedicated to reviving a genre that was built on truth. It’s impossible not to vibe with him, it’s impossible to deny a show that will leave you more in tune with social issues and more likely to listen. After finding it impossible to take notes, I eventually slipped my notebook back into my bag and joined the crowd, happy to indulge in the madness.
Joey Bada$$ is finishing out his World Domination tour, tour dates here. Follow him on Facebook for everything Pro Era.
Dakota Smith
Follow her on twitter in case she says something funny: @LikeTheStates
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