SLCT’ED VIDEO:
Joey BADA$$
feat. CJ Fly
"Hardknock"

17-year old Brooklyn spitter, Joey BADA$$
stokes the fires of the torch he’s been bearing
for young NY rap this year
w/ another great visual to set the blogs ablaze -
this time its for the new single, “Hardknock,”
which also features his crew member, CJ Fly
over the instrumental to “Eyes Of Dreams,” from NY vet Lewis Parker, circa 1998.

With a rap style akin to the earliest records from Big L or Black Moon
but delivered with a raw, Harold Hunter in Kids level of energy,
& a production style (yes, he makes beats too – something that’s often overlooked)
not unlike prime-era MF DOOM or RZA -
Joey has been appealing to both his age group & older heads alike,
reigniting interest in rap from those who still yearn for the years of NY’s reign.
Acting as the starting forward of the Pro Era crew -
a posse of equally young & hungry artists of all medias,
including fellow MC’s Capital STEEZ & the aforementioned CJ Fly.

The debut video, for the faster paced, gritty “Survival Tactics”
is what first swept the attention of the rap readership at large,
& now w/ “Hardknocked” being premiered on MTV’s RapFix just a minute ago today,
& the whole PE crew signed to Cinematic Music Group
+ media wonderhouse, Creative Control providing all the visuals,
the year is seemingly theirs for the taking.

You can view the “Hardknock” clip,
& catch up on the “Survival Tactics” video w/ Capital Steez
+ a day-in-the-life style piece that VICE Magazine’s Noisey
did following Joey & the P.E. crew around their Brooklyn high school earlier this year.

UPDATE: Also check out the chopped & screwed version of “Hardknock” at the bottom of the page.

Performed by Joey Bada$$ featuring CJ Style
Instrumental Originally by Lewis Parker
Directed by Creative Control

Chopped & Screwed by DJ Hard Rich