Joey Bada$$

Joey Bada$$, whose real name is Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott (born January 20, 1995), is an American rapper, actor, and record producer from Brooklyn, New York. Known for his gritty 90's style, influenced by his Brooklyn upbringing, Joey Bada$$ stands out in the hip-hop industry for his authentic, unique, and versatile sound. While other artists might play it safe with predictable projects, Joey consistently keeps his music raw and original.

He is a co-founder of the Pro Era collective, with which he has released two mixtapes and toured extensively worldwide.

Joey gained attention with his debut mixtape, 1999, released on June 12, 2012, to critical acclaim, followed by Rejex in September and Summer Knights on July 1, 2013.

His first studio album, B4.DA.$$, came out on January 20, 2015 (his 20th birthday) through Pro Era Records / Cinematic Music Group, achieving 56,000 units in its first week, making it the #1 rap and #1 indie album in the U.S. The album earned praise from critics and fans alike, playing a pivotal role in establishing Joey among hip-hop's elite, as it has sold over 148,000 copies worldwide to date.

Following his debut album, Joey spent much of 2015 touring, playing at international festivals, creating original soundtrack music such as for Southpaw, and embarking on a national U.S. tour, all while launching the first annual Steez Day Festival in New York City on July 7, 2015.

Joey's second album, ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$, was released on April 7, 2017, despite an earlier leak due to an early physical press. The album features contributions from notable artists like ScHoolBoy Q, J. Cole, and Styles P, as well as frequent collaborators Kirk Knight, Nyck Caution, Chronixx, and Meechy Darko.

In an XXL interview, Joey Badass mentioned that he was influenced by artists like Nas, Tupac Shakur, Black Thought, MF DOOM, J Dilla, Andre 3000, Jay-Z, and The Notorious B.I.G. He often draws comparisons to the late rapper Big L and is likened to Nas during his Illmatic era.