On April 7, 2017, he released his second studio album ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ under Pro Era Records and Cinematic Music Group. The album was supported by three singles: Devastated, Land of the Free and Temptation. ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ received generally positive reviews from critics and debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200.
Five years following the release of his second studio album ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$, he released the follow-up to his debut mixtape, 1999, ten years later on July 22, 2022. The name of this album, his third studio album, was 2000. During 2022, Joey released multiple singles to the album including Head High, Survivors Guilt, Zipcodes and 2 more. In the album, Joey goes over plenty of topic matters such as dealing with mental health, the passing of his friend Captial Steez and his cousin, Junior B, ten years later, and his overal life. 2000 debuted at No.18 on the Billboard 200 chart and sold roughly 22,000 album-equvialent units in its first week. The album was well perceived by fans and critcs, and was deemed to be a generally good lead up to his mixtape 1999.
Belly of the Beast
Joey Bada$$ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These niggas can't hang with us hang with us
Nigga we dangerous, dangerous
My nigga we
I swear all my life I been around crips and bloods
Crips and slugs, the trigger happiest thugs
Claiming the slums, and all the hoods that they from
Cash straight, the fake kill jake, the snakes too late
My eyes dilate, and I could tell them how he strafe
Coming at me sideways, get straighten up
Don't deflate it up gimmie the bucks my cash wrinkling up
Looking back in the days, amazed
Cause the lab rat done made it out the maze
Still feel caged, enraged though
Used the underground railroad like a runaway slave
Broke off the chains still runway fresh
Got you on that mental plane with my project jet
I'm two steps above that nimbus cloud
My limit is low, when I'm smoking on that loud
Focus in the now, when the lotus is around
It's the Brooklyn sound, a pro found, Biggie would be proud about
But I don't need a vet to even shop me out
Punchlines pack a Pacquiao they can't box me out
Big up big up, it's a stick up stick up
Niggas hit a nigga quick if he hiccup hiccup
Big up big up, it's a stick up stick up
Niggas hit a nigga quick if he hiccup hiccup
Tell me what them know bout the Badmon named Jozif
Women come around, I look em down like they don't know shit
Word around the time is that they got the match explode it
I'm a child of the city
Son of the streets
And it's just a pity
They not tough like we
And things not look pretty
When we got to eat
Things get much deeper
Deeper and deeper
And I survive, thank the father
Feel like I was raised by [?]
Had to keep calm and hold ma corner
Cause a stray gun shot if you cross the border
Pro Era teach them the pro's and con's
Of living in a city with a thousand dons
A thousand ghetto youts with a thousand guns
Cooler tequila with frozen lungs
But praise rastafari we wheel and come again
Know a Nyabinghi [?]
Lightning and thunder are the [?]
Pro Era teach them the pro's and con's
Original Chronixx and Joe Badmon
No King Selassie, we have the golden crown
Get ready for the shift we are the chosen ones
I'm a child of the city
Son of the streets
And it's just a pity
They not tough like we
And things not look pretty
When we got to eat
Things get much deeper
The lyrics of "Belly of the Beast" by Joey Bada$$ and Chronixx focus on the dangers of street life and the struggles of growing up in urban areas. The song begins with the emphasis on being "dangerous," both in terms of the environment that they come from and their own potential to do harm. The lyrics then delve into the realities of life in impoverished neighborhoods, with references to gangs, violence, and the feeling of being trapped in a "rat race." The artists also touch on the theme of overcoming adversity, using imagery of breaking free from chains and running away to escape the limitations of their environment.
Throughout the song, there is an emphasis on the importance of community and the need to survive in harsh circumstances. The artists speak to the strength and resilience of individuals who have grown up in these environments, and the challenges they face when trying to make their way in the world. There is also a nod to the importance of culture and identity, with references to rastafarianism and the sound of "Brooklyn." Ultimately, "Belly of the Beast" is a powerful commentary on the social realities of inner-city life, and the need for hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Dangerous, dangerous
We are a threat to our enemies
These niggas can't hang with us hang with us
Our opponents are not on our level
Nigga we dangerous, dangerous
My nigga we
Once again, we are a threat
I swear all my life I been around crips and bloods
Crips and slugs, the trigger happiest thugs
The artist has been around gang violence all their life and it's always been dangerous
Claiming the slums, and all the hoods that they from
Too much of the some, got it twisted up blinded in a rat race
Some gang members are so focused on their 'hood' that they can't escape the cycle of violence
Cash straight, the fake kill jake, the snakes too late
My eyes dilate, and I could tell them how he strafe
Gang members prioritize money over anything, leading to attacks on the police and others. The artist can see through their tactics.
Coming at me sideways, get straighten up
Don't deflate it up gimmie the bucks my cash wrinkling up
The artist demands respect and payment for their work
Looking back in the days, amazed
Cause the lab rat done made it out the maze
Still feel caged, enraged though
Used the underground railroad like a runaway slave
Broke off the chains still runway fresh
Despite overcoming past struggles and finding success, the artist still feels trapped and angry
Got you on that mental plane with my project jet
I'm two steps above that nimbus cloud
My limit is low, when I'm smoking on that loud
Focus in the now, when the lotus is around
The artist is on a different level, reaching new heights of creativity and awareness through marijuana and mindfulness techniques
It's the Brooklyn sound, a pro found, Biggie would be proud about
But I don't need a vet to even shop me out
Punchlines pack a Pacquiao they can't box me out
The artist represents the unique sound and legacy of Brooklyn, and boasts about their own skills being enough to stand out
Big up big up, it's a stick up stick up
Niggas hit a nigga quick if he hiccup hiccup
Big up big up, it's a stick up stick up
Niggas hit a nigga quick if he hiccup hiccup
The chorus serves as a warning that violence can erupt at any time
Tell me what them know bout the Badmon named Jozif
Women come around, I look em down like they don't know shit
Word around the time is that they got the match explode it
The artist challenges anyone to match their skills, and dismisses women who are not knowledgeable about their work
I'm a child of the city
Son of the streets
And it's just a pity
They not tough like we
And things not look pretty
When we got to eat
Things get much deeper
Deeper and deeper
The artist comes from a rough environment and has had to be tough to survive. When it comes down to survival and necessity, things can get much worse.
And I survive, thank the father
Feel like I was raised by [?]
Had to keep calm and hold ma corner
Cause a stray gun shot if you cross the border
The artist is grateful for their survival and credits a spiritual force. They also had to learn to stay calm in dangerous situations where any mistake could result in death.
Pro Era teach them the pro's and con's
Of living in a city with a thousand dons
A thousand ghetto youts with a thousand guns
Cooler tequila with frozen lungs
The artist is a part of a group called Pro Era, who educate others about the pros and cons of living in a violent city. There are many young people in the ghetto with guns, and they drink to numb the pain.
But praise rastafari we wheel and come again
Know a Nyabinghi [?]
Lightning and thunder are the [?]
The artist thanks Rastafarianism for their resilience and mentions a type of drum. Lightning and thunder are powerful forces of nature.
Original Chronixx and Joe Badmon
No King Selassie, we have the golden crown
Get ready for the shift we are the chosen ones
The two artists (Chronixx and Joey Bada$$) remind listeners they are original and unique, and have value without needing a King. They are also preparing for a new era.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: CHAUNCEY HOLLIS, JAMAR MCNAUGHTON, JO VIRGINIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind