On a recent episode of Club Ambition, host SOUND and his crew kick off a lively discussion on Joey Badass, reflecting on his career shift from music to acting. Once hailed as one of the top young rappers out of the East Coast, Joey’s recent ventures have leaned heavily toward Hollywood, with standout roles in a Power spin-off and Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga, where he portrays Method Man. Amid this pivot, the hosts playfully note Joey’s newfound “sex symbol” status among female fans.
However, Joey hasn’t completely stepped away from the mic. The crew dives into his latest freestyle over Jay-Z’s iconic track “The Ruler’s Back,” where Joey confidently dubs himself the “heir apparent” to the King of New York title. His sharp lyricism stands out, particularly a pointed line referencing Jay-Z’s legendary “22 Twos” with, “Too much West Coast dick-licking.” The hosts debate whether this is a subliminal jab at Kendrick Lamar, who once claimed the King of New York crown in his controversial “Control” verse. They also mention Joey’s nod to a defaced mural of Kendrick in Los Angeles, further fueling speculation of an ongoing rivalry between the two rappers.
The conversation soon broadens into a heated debate about the state of East Coast hip-hop. While Joey’s freestyle receives praise for its skill and bravado, the hosts express doubts about his claim to the crown. They argue that consistency, cultural impact across generations, and widespread recognition are essential to wearing the King of New York crown—a title that’s not easily earned in today’s fractured hip-hop scene.
In discussing the challenges facing East Coast rap, the hosts highlight a lack of unity and a recent overreliance on drill music, which often focuses on rivalries and violence rather than cohesive artistry. They critique drill’s impact on live performances, noting that many songs lack the structure to translate well in front of an audience. Comparing this with the West Coast’s recent dominance, they credit artists like Kendrick Lamar and producers like DJ Mustard for elevating their region’s profile on a global scale.
The mood lightens as the hosts turn their attention to New York’s current rap scene. With a playful tone, one host jokingly crowns Ice Spice as the city’s hottest rapper, while another argues that Nicki Minaj is the rightful Queen of New York due to her longevity, influence, and consistency.
As the conversation wraps up, the crew passionately defends the East Coast’s cultural legacy. Despite conceding that the West Coast is currently leading in terms of mainstream success, they emphasize that the East remains the birthplace of hip-hop and fashion, with a rich history that still holds sway.
Ultimately, while Joey Badass’s freestyle reignites conversations about East Coast supremacy, the hosts conclude that no one—including Joey—can claim the King of New York title without first uniting the fractured scene and consistently delivering hits that resonate across generations.
