Just gonna leave this here so Bob has a better chance of seeing it: The song "Don't Front" especially CJ Fly's verse is about Mary Jane personified, not an actual girl. "Both knew our role (roll) this is more than just a crush I used to pick her up longing for our lips to touch... ... Bagged her at her friends, but home were I would take her Didn't know that she was a ho, that only wanted my paper Whenever I was with her, my mind would just relax Could've been the hot topic cause I swore we were a match" Also most Pro Era members were teenagers as well when this came out. Joey has crazy stories about being on tour with Juicy J while he was so young & Juicy J had the biggest song out at the time "Bands a Make Her Dance" which was stripper anthem!
Bro he skipped the verse “relish fetishes, menaces, one percentages, if you ain’t prejudice you still a nemesis, smokin on the Clemmidus get open like present, now you presence is on the premises for them presidents” arguably one of the hardest verses ever made.
If you liked this, I’d recommend Amerikkkan Korruption by Capital STEEZ. STEEZ was like Joey’s mentor and best friend. One of the greatest mixtapes of all time. Other than that, I’m still asking for a reaction to Isaiah Rashad, either his first or second.
Joey Bada$$ co-founded his group Pro Era with Capital Steez (R.I.P.), and both of them mastered a NY rap style at such a young age. Another group that collaborated with them are the Flatbush Zombies, and Better Off Dead is one of their best projects.
Joey Bada$$ was a prodigy and school of the arts kid just like Tupac and Dave Chappelle. He's also a talented actor as well. And this album always reminds me of Illmatic. Nas was 19 when he recorded that album and Joey was only 17 years old recording 1999. Pretty incredible. Capital Steez was super talented as well but self-transitioned at age 19. R.I.P.
Joey feels like the modern Nas. He is so lyrical with these cool simple nice beats and straight bars. I consider this tape the modern Illmatic. The way the albums are formatted and produced feels really similar and so true to the roots of hiphop
I feel like you’re talking about trying to separate the art from the artist too. Like maybe just trying to take it for what it is at face value without taking into account the cringe/stupid behavior outside of it
Are you gonna get to Faces by Mac Miller? I think you would love to dive into the lyrics and it’s one of my favorite most emotionally complex projects of all time
Joey in my opinion has got the best wordplay in the rap game out of everyone, ive listened to this album hundreds of times and every listen i pick up on something new.
Listening to 2000 after this would be great, you would instantly see the growth of Joey. This is also just a mixtape by a 16 year old and for that it's incredible.
@@waynewilson1068 agreed, they have a different feel from 1999 or 2000, plus its always a bonus to go chronologically to fully appreciate their growth!
Please add Amerikkkan Korruption by Capital STEEZ Archive to your list, I feel like you’ll really like his mindset and his lyrical talent is out of this world. It’s a great tape full of introspection and good rapping on weird NY boombap beats you’ll like it
Looking into the story of Capital Steez is tragic. Committed suicide around the age of 18 I believe. One of the biggest “what if”’s ever Rest in power Steez
Weird thing about this album Capital Steez killed himself shortly after 1999 released and you can hear the change in Joeys music over his albums especially in all amerikkan badass. Also would suggest listening to survivors guilt by Joey, its a tribute to steez and his cousin if you’re not going to listen to his discography.
fr it’s his only project he ever released, I feel like Bob will really like how he thinks. He’s just as aware as Joey is and Bob will probably have more to chew on
His debut album B4.DA.$$ is absolutely excellent as well. Doesn't get quite the buzz among hip hop heads that this tape does, but every bit as good. I agree with you that 1999 is heavily front-loaded, the Summer Knights -> World Domination run is absolute insanity, especially for a debut project. This tape was huge for my friends and I in early high-school years. The old-school production continues to sound as clean and timeless as ever, even 11 years after release.
It’s so weird Bob I am but a wee lad who started his music journey 2 years ago and this was one of the first mixtapes I started with and I feel like throughout my journey I’ve been able to experience every album for the first time with you so this is a big thank you to finally reacting to one of the best mixtapes of all times
Just want to drop in and say that Capital Steez is my favourite rapper. I know you probably will never come around to doing his mixtape because he's not as well known as Joey, but he stands by himself from Joey and oftentimes people refer to him as the better rapper.
You should explore some of Capital Steez’ songs. Him and Joey were the two rappers in Pro Era making the biggest waves around this time and many would argue that Steez was better. Shame he never got to realize his immense potential……
Capital Steez next please! He was part of pro era but died of suicide in late 2012. Great lyricist but he became lost in his mental health battle. Some of his music topics are very metaphysical and different then anything ever produced!
Bob you definitely need to listen to more Freddie Gibbs!!! Bandana and Alfredo are classics but i’d stress doing Alfredo ASAP, Freddie + Alchemist production is so good, I guarantee you’ll love it.
It’s incredible looking back and seeing what Joey was talking about at 17 years old, this album truly got me through some tough times as a new adult when it first came out, especially Snakes, Daily Routine, and Righteous Minds
B4DA$$ and especially AABA are fantastic you should listen to them sometime if you find his style appealing its a very nice progression of his sound with each album. Also a cool fact, J. Cole used the Waves beat that Joey made on one of his songs.
Joey Badass and his group pro era were apart of greater movement that came out of New York in the early 2010s called “Beast Coast”. The “official” beady coast members were Pro Era (Joey Badass’ group), The Underachievers and The Flatbush Zombies. This movement was extremely influential for me and a lot of underground rap fans of the time. I HIGHLY recommend you check out the Flatbush Zombies and Underachievers. I would recommend the albums Better Off Dead and Indigoism respectively as they incredible albums which all have a similar vibe and message of enlightenment and old 90s feel with a twist. I would also add that this time period was a sort of renaissance as there were a number of other rappers coming out of NYC at the time that were lossley connected to Beast Coast including ASAP Mob and Action Bronson. Peace
My high school soundtrack. I was trying to rap then and remember hearing this and it almost made me quit lol. Didn’t write a rhyme for like 2 months. Joey was so fucking good
Joey will if not undoubtedly be one of the best, because every track just resonates with me in its own way, it’s just incredible, the production, the features and the lyrics of course. Can’t forget STEEZ too, though he had some features on here, couldn’t have done it without STEEZ. 47 FOREVER
Now BoB listening 2 this can U see Y us Old Heads luv BARS .. We have 2 have BARS..it's called RAPPING ..would U listen 2a Rock band wita trash guitarist 🤔
Joey is the epitome of the bridge between old and new school ny hip hop. Sometimes I forget that he’s a newer artist because he has a great way of bringing forth that vibe.
On hardknock its 'banned". Cause he just mentioned the way of life of ignoring police and laws; because of their tough life and indulging in the pain of the cycle ("sympathy symphony")
Can't believe no one mentioned this yet. You're not listening to the original version of this mixtape. The OG version has certain samples in some songs which were removed and suttle and more crude changes in some melodies which for me changes a lot. Even some songs were completely re-recorded and joey loses some of the tenacity in his voice which he had in the OG 1999 mixtape. I recommend listening to Summer Knights the OG mixtape too not the spotify version.
Bro, listening to this album for the first time back around 2012 was crazy. First mixtape I bought with my own money. Played this, Summer Knights, The aPROcalypse so much back then and through college. The skill was incredible. Then they had some records with Statik Selektah, Freddie Gibbs, Big K.R.I.T.... was a dope time. RIP Capital STEEZ
FINALLY! Life changing first project from Joey Bada$$! Crazy he was 16-17 when we wrote this. His discography only gets better and better. Summer Knights, B4Da$$, All Amerikkkan Badass and 2000.
I remember vividly hearing this for the first time. It was in 2012 while I was in highschool, and I was on my laptop sitting at the island in our kitchen just doing homework when RU-vid autoplay put this album on. At that point, I've listened to a few hip-hop tracks here and there, but this would be the first time I listened to a full length hip-hop album. I was blown away. I don't listen to it often nowadays, but it will always hold a place in my heart as the reason I got into hip-hop.
51:40 pennyroyal is actually more interesting than meets the eye in my opinion. he’s said in interviews that it’s not a song written based on his own experiences. in other words, the speaker in the lyrics is a character, it’s not him as himself. so he’s moreso making a statement about inner conflict and what it is to be a man, than he is just talking about an ex.
Finally 🙏🏼 this mixtape was so important for hip hop, back in early 2010s hiphop was in such an awkward, directionless place and had been loosing its identity for years. Felt like the release of this project in 2012 sparked a resurgence of hip hop’s core essence Great mixtape, important mixtape and it holds up to this day 💥 Immense amount of respect for joey & the whole of pro era
Such a great tape but his debut album B4.DA.$$ is where he really shines! Absolutely can't wait for you to get to that project, it's fun, gritty and has such a great range of styles
I love that bob has gone from not knowing anything about hip hop to being more knowledgeable than most casual fans Love how respectful you are bob. Keep up the good work :) PS: PLEASE REVIEW FACES BY MAC MILLER. YOU WILL LIKE IT MORE THAN YOU LIKED HIS OTHER ALBUMS (judging by your taste)
I hope you'll continue to discover more of billy woods' discography. You liked "Maps" a lot and billy is imo one of the most consistent hip hop artist and every album is incredible.
Is the album you’re talking about at the beginning “flick your tongue against your teeth and describe the present ” by Bedwetter? If so I highly recommend it as well. One of those once and a life time unique listens.
Loved this reaction Bob! Always. This is actual a MIXTAPE!!! Joey is one of my favourites, top 3 artists for sure! I am glad you saw exactly what you needed to and I appreciate madly how you intro'd the video as well. You are great dude, super excited to see the All Amerikkkan Bada$$ Reaction!!!!!!! keep it up my friend.
