Why Joey Bada$$ Just Started More Rap Beef With Kendrick Lamar

As we enter the new year, the world of hip-hop is already off to a wild start, with a bold move made by none other than Joey Bada$$. He’s not just challenging Kendrick Lamar, often regarded as the king of hip-hop, but he’s also taking aim at the entire West Coast rap scene.

With his new song The Ruler’s Back, Joey is setting the tone for 2025 by asserting his dominance in the game and declaring that he’s coming for the throne.

The song isn’t just a personal challenge to Kendrick, but a declaration of intent to put the East Coast back on top, and Joey is setting his sights on a region that has held a significant position in rap for years.

Joey’s bars seem to indicate that he’s not just trying to assert his place in the rap hierarchy, but to prove that the East Coast can still compete with the West, an area that has been dominant in recent years.

The title of Joey’s track, The Ruler’s Back, is a direct homage to hip-hop legends Jay-Z and Slick Rick, both of whom were considered kings of New York during their respective eras.

By doing this, Joey is not only recognizing the greatness of these predecessors, but also placing himself in that same lineage of influential New York rappers.

This move signals his intention to rise to the challenge of taking the crown for himself, and ultimately, to bring the East Coast back into the conversation about the top region in hip-hop.

The first verse of The Ruler’s Back gives us a glimpse of how Joey is positioning himself within the East Coast rap scene. He confidently declares, “I got murals in my city, F a nomination, this for every time they left me out the conversation,” referencing Kendrick Lamar’s own track GNX, which also discussed the mixed reception he received in his hometown.

Joey’s line about having murals in New York is clearly meant to showcase his deep connection with his city and to position himself as the ultimate representative of East Coast rap. He also dismisses awards and nominations, emphasizing that the love and respect he gets from his city are far more meaningful than any industry accolades.

Joey is not the first rapper to take aim at Kendrick Lamar’s success. Many have criticized Kendrick for being awarded too many accolades, and Joey seems to be tapping into that sentiment with his line about “F a nomination.” While others have been afraid to challenge Kendrick, Joey is unapologetically calling him out.

Throughout the track, Joey reflects on the period when Kendrick and Drake were embroiled in their legendary feud. He recalls watching from the sidelines, taking in the competitive atmosphere that dominated the rap scene. This reference suggests that Joey feels like the East Coast has been overlooked while the West Coast, led by Kendrick, has been dominating the rap game. Now, Joey seems ready to reverse that trend and bring attention back to New York.

As the second verse kicks in, Joey goes further, calling out the entire West Coast with the line, “too much West Coast licking.” This phrase is a nod to Jay-Z’s iconic line from Blueprint 2 and is yet another strategic move to emphasize Joey’s alignment with the greats who have held the crown for New York.

He then criticizes West Coast music, claiming that it isn’t sticking as well as people say. This part of the track feels like a direct challenge to Kendrick and the broader West Coast rap scene, implying that Joey doesn’t feel the West is currently living up to the hype.

Joey also references Ether, Nas’s legendary diss track aimed at Jay-Z, suggesting that he’s ready to deliver his own diss track that could have the same kind of impact.

He further mirrors Nas’s Stillmatic track Your Demand, where Nas claimed victory over Jay-Z. Joey flips it, calling Kendrick “too short to box with him,” a reference to Kendrick’s height, but also a metaphorical jab at Kendrick’s ability to compete with Joey’s lyrical prowess.

The message of The Ruler’s Back is clear: Joey Bada$$ is coming for Kendrick Lamar and the West Coast. He’s not afraid to compete with the best, and he’s positioning himself as the rightful heir to the rap throne.

Joey’s bars, video, and overall energy indicate that he’s ready to engage in a serious rivalry, where the competition will be about pure lyricism rather than petty beefs or distractions.

Joey’s move is significant because it signals the return of a competitive spirit in hip-hop, something that’s been missing in recent years. Many artists have shied away from challenging Kendrick, but Joey is willing to face him head-on. By saying, “we can run a fair one,” Joey suggests that he’s not interested in petty beefs or industry drama; he just wants to go toe-to-toe with Kendrick, rapper to rapper.

The boldness of Joey’s actions raises the stakes in the rap world. While it remains to be seen whether Joey can truly rival Kendrick, especially with the dominance of other West Coast artists like Tyler, The Creator, and Schoolboy Q, his challenge is significant.

For the East Coast to truly reclaim its dominance, it will take more than one rapper stepping up. Joey needs the support of other talented MCs like Benny The Butcher, Conway, and A$AP Rocky to create a formidable force that can challenge the West Coast’s reign.

With his latest move, Joey has undoubtedly shaken things up in the rap game. Whether or not he succeeds in his mission to bring the East Coast back to the top will depend on his ability to follow through with more impressive music and strong collaborations. But one thing is certain: Joey Bada$$ has just sparked one of the most exciting and competitive eras in hip-hop.