“Writing has always been very therapeutic for me. That’s really where the emotions got transmuted. But it’s one thing to put it down on paper, and it’s another thing to speak it out loud and share it with people. Expressing myself on the mic was definitely liberating.”
-Joey Bada$$, episode 286 of Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
Musician Joey Bada$$ joins us today! With the release of his new album, “2000”, we discuss the evolution of his songwriting (5:07), the direction of the new record (8:59), and how Grand Puba influenced the opening track, The Baddest (10:28). Then, to better understand Joey’s present, we sit with his past: the first verse he performed (13:31), writing Waves, featured in “1999”, in his mother’s bedroom (19:15), forming Pro Era as a teenager (23:42), and the day The New York Times interviewed him in high school (33:52).
On the back-half, Joey reflects on the legacy of the late Capital Steez (37:28), how writing Survivors Guilt helped him process loss (47:34), the joys of fatherhood (56:49), the redemptive quality of Head High (1:01:22), and what, at age 27, he hopes for in the chapter ahead (1:05:03).
-
-
Show-notes:
- Listen to Joey’s new album, 2000.
- Stream his previous records, All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ and 1999.
- Learn more about his work on his website.
- Follow Joey on Instagram and Twitter.
- For more conversations, hear our talks with Vince Staples, Kevin Abstract, Janelle Monáe, Run The Jewels, Lorde, Brittany Howard, Questlove, and Syd.
- Order your Talk Easy mug in cream and navy or our vinyl record with Fran Lebowitz.
-
Original illustration by Krishna Shenoi.
Subscribe, rate, and review: Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
If you or someone you know is seeking free and confidential help, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for support by dialing 988. Visit SAMHSA’s website for more resources.