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$$, he released the follow-up to his debut mixtape, 1999, ten years later on July 22, 2022. The name of this album, his third studio album, was 2000. During 2022, Joey released multiple singles to the album including Head High, Survivors Guilt, Zipcodes and 2 more. In the album, Joey goes over plenty of topic matters such as dealing with mental health, the passing of his friend Captial Steez and his cousin, Junior B, ten years later, and his overal life. 2000 debuted at No.18 on the Billboard 200 chart and sold roughly 22,000 album-equvialent units in its first week. The album was well perceived by fans and critcs, and was deemed to be a generally good lead up to his mixtape 1999.
Black Beetles
Joey Bada$$ Lyrics
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Someones watching me, this world ain't proper
Be thinking I could be dead
Low on self-esteem fools been out for me
Someones watching me, this love ain't proper
Be thinking I could be dead
And I guess we them little black beetles
And that flow is mean, but it lacks tacs and needles
I spend my days sharpening my skill wills while it's still legal
Weeding through cathedrals applied to my cerebral
They ain't built they feeble, driven by the ego
The vision of a eagle, see the vision in my people
How many lives will they take today? We ain't equal
Another world where it's sequel a doomsday prequel
This ain't the world we thought it was when we as in pre-school
Sometimes it's hard to be cool, sometimes I feel like I'm see-thru
Sometimes I really wish, yo I wish that I could be you
Away from all the Hollywood acts and record contracts
I won't say I take it back, because I worked hard for that
But this life ain't turn out to be what it seem
Ever since I woke up I been living in a dream
Got me
Low on self-esteem fools been out for me
Someones watching me, this love ain't proper
Be thinking I could be dead
Low on self-esteem fools been out for me
Someones watching me, this love ain't proper
Be thinking I could be dead
Who would've thought a marchin' Martin could spark a starvin' artist
Spit art, at heart young Marcus Garvey
Ponders on it, hardly, rap wonders fondly
Smoking herb with just Marley and me
This one is for my dogs barking up on the tree
Sometimes that wind blows eventually she gon leave, that's mother nature for ya
Uh, patient it's sagacious I ain't gon pay shit why she ain't gon say shit
Now that's respectable cause most women expect it tho
Except that the words are derived through the rhythm wreck em'
Professional, exceptional, half man half extra terrestrial
They got me
Low on self-esteem fools been out for me
Someones watching me, this love ain't proper
Be thinking I could be dead
Low on self-esteem fools been out for me
Someones watching me, this love ain't proper
Be thinking I could be dead
In "Black Beetles," Joey Bada$$ reflects on his low self-esteem and the feeling that someone is always watching him, making him fear for his life. He describes himself and his peers as "little black beetles" who just want attractive singles and temporary pleasures, but lack tacks and needles. He spends his days sharpening his skills and searching for meaning, trying to make sense of the world that seems to be falling apart.
Joey Bada$$ draws on his experiences growing up in a violent and dangerous environment, where he had to navigate through a system that was not designed to help him succeed. He references the March on Washington and Marcus Garvey, political and social icons who fought for black liberation and equality. He also touches on the influence of Bob Marley, who used his music to spread a message of peace and love.
Despite the struggles and hardships he faced, Joey Bada$$ remained determined to make a better life for himself and those around him. He acknowledges that his success and fame did not bring him the happiness he expected, leaving him feeling disillusioned and disconnected from reality.
Line by Line Meaning
Low on self-esteem fools been out for me
I feel like people are targeting me because of my low self-esteem.
Someones watching me, this world ain't proper
I feel like someone is always watching me and the world is not a fair place.
Be thinking I could be dead
I worry that my situation could become deadly.
And I guess we them little black beetles
I feel like me and my peers are underestimated and undervalued.
Just want attractive singles
We want success and recognition.
And that flow is mean, but it lacks tacs and needles
My rap style is aggressive, but it needs to be more polished and refined.
I spend my days sharpening my skill wills while it's still legal
I am practicing and improving my skills as much as I can before it's too late.
Weeding through cathedrals applied to my cerebral
I am sorting through different types of music to find what resonates with me.
They ain't built they feeble, driven by the ego
Other artists are not as strong as me, and they are too focused on their own egos and reputation.
The vision of a eagle, see the vision in my people
I have a clear vision of what I want to do with my music, and I see that vision reflected in my peers.
How many lives will they take today? We ain't equal
There are still a lot of injustices in the world, and some people are not treated equally.
Another world where it's sequel a doomsday prequel
The world we live in today feels like a prequel to a terrible sequel or doomsday scenario.
This ain't the world we thought it was when we as in pre-school
As children, we had a more optimistic view of the world and we thought things would be different.
Sometimes it's hard to be cool, sometimes I feel like I'm see-thru
I struggle to keep up appearances and sometimes feel like no one really sees or understands me.
Sometimes I really wish, yo I wish that I could be you
There are times when I envy other people and wish I could live their life instead of mine.
Away from all the Hollywood acts and record contracts
Sometimes I wish I could distance myself from the fame and pressure of the music industry.
I won't say I take it back, because I worked hard for that
Even though I have doubts and struggles, I don't regret the work I put in to pursue my dreams.
But this life ain't turn out to be what it seem
Despite my efforts, my life has not turned out exactly how I thought it would.
Ever since I woke up I been living in a dream
It sometimes feels like I am living in a dream world, disconnected from reality.
Who would've thought a marchin' Martin could spark a starvin' artist
The legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. has had a positive impact on my life and my artistry.
Spit art, at heart young Marcus Garvey
My music is inspired by the words and actions of Marcus Garvey, who advocated for black nationalism.
Ponders on it, hardly, rap wonders fondly
I often think about how my music fits into the larger context of the rap genre.
Smoking herb with just Marley and me
I find solace and inspiration in the music of Bob Marley and their shared love of marijuana.
This one is for my dogs barking up on the tree
I dedicate this song to my friends and peers who support me and have my back.
Sometimes that wind blows eventually she gon leave, that's mother nature for ya
People come and go in life, and sometimes it's just the natural order of things.
Uh, patient it's sagacious I ain't gon pay shit why she ain't gon say shit
I am being wise and strategic by not giving in to a woman's demands for money or attention.
Now that's respectable cause most women expect it tho
It's admirable that I am standing up for myself when most women expect men to cater to their every whim.
Except that the words are derived through the rhythm wreck em'
My lyrics are powerful and come from a place of authenticity and raw emotion.
Professional, exceptional, half man half extra terrestrial
I am a skilled and unique artist who sometimes feels like an otherworldly being.
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