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$$, he released the follow-up to his debut mixtape, 1999, ten years later on July 22, 2022. The name of this album, his third studio album, was 2000. During 2022, Joey released multiple singles to the album including Head High, Survivors Guilt, Zipcodes and 2 more. In the album, Joey goes over plenty of topic matters such as dealing with mental health, the passing of his friend Captial Steez and his cousin, Junior B, ten years later, and his overal life. 2000 debuted at No.18 on the Billboard 200 chart and sold roughly 22,000 album-equvialent units in its first week. The album was well perceived by fans and critcs, and was deemed to be a generally good lead up to his mixtape 1999.
Reign
Joey Bada$$ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Used to wanna be king said the reign is on now
King me like james straight out of high school
To the big games but you know just how I do
When it rains it pours down
Used to wanna be king said the reign is on now
King me like james straight out of high school
Adapted to these new ways of living, getting money and sinning
Go together like denims diamonds and women
Tryna balance it at once but keep hitting these blunts
Demons of lust, keep hinting they stunts when I'm drunk
What if I jumped off this cloud full of thinking aloud
Into a, pool of my sorrow and start sinking in doubt
Rethinking it out, cause tomorrow ain't ever promising
And ever blink it counts for a prophet who see deposits
But he ain't always see the positives
He used to live in poverty, thinking probably
One day, he strike the lottery
Cause dreaming big never been odd to me
And since a kid ive been on a musical odyssey
I knew the day would come where I wouldn't be sorry in a pile of g's
Or probably be rehearsing a verse on the beach
Wait reverse in the speech
Cause it ain't always sunny on the sunny side
But I'll stop shining when bunnies fly
When it rains it pours down
Used to wanna be king said the reign is on now
King me like james straight out of high school
To the big games but you know just how I do
When it rains it pours down
Used to wanna be king said the reign is on now
King me like james straight out of high school
To the big games but you know just how I do
I turn my dreams to reality
So, I burn green same time I burn calories though
I'm eating now in fact, I'm feasting now
No more mistreating, my miss is treated now
No more misleading mister leader now,
Mister visa now, I got green and cards with no limits
Bad boy life but shyne with no diddy
But it's no biggie, I spread love the brooklyn way
But when push come to shove I'm bout that crooklyn wave
Shook for days, don't ever judge a book by a page
That could be a cover up if you ain't looking that way
But what can I say, everything happens for a reason
Time will tell cause even fall lasts for a season
So keep on believing, you live and learn die and you teach
Another, piece of the pie and it's finally sweet
But reverse on the speech, cause it ain't always sunny on the sunny side
But I'll stop shining when bunnies fly
When it rains it pours down
Used to wanna be king said the reign is on now
King me like james straight out of high school
To the big games but you know just how I do
When it rains it pours down
Used to wanna be king said the reign is on now
King me like james straight out of high school
To the big games but you know just how I do
Said we done came a long way 365 bong rips later
Last year I ain't make no paper
All I earned was some kicks some snares from some haters
And some favors from some chicks that move there rumps like shakers
But what's that shit, I was tryna be the greatest
Upgrade to the grade a list, but all they do is degrade us
And it ain't to hard to be famous, whats hard is sustaining
Remaining the same when stuff changing
Cause I remember days at the bus station, waiting
Still had no patience, so niggas try to play him
Imaginary players, imaginary playlist
I been your favorite before you even started playing it
Who'd of thought that they would come eye wouldn't be sorry
In a pile of g's, and rehearse a verse on the beach
But reverse on the speech
Cause it ain't always sunny on the sunny side
But I'll stop shining when bunnies fly
When it rains it pours down
Used to wanna be king said the reign is on now
King me like james straight out of high school
To the big games but you know just how I do
When it rains it pours down
Used to wanna be king said the reign is on now
King me like james straight out of high school
To the big games but you know just how I do
In Joey Bada$$'s song Reign, the rapper reflects upon his success and the challenges he faced in achieving his goals. The hook "When it rains it pours down, Used to wanna be king said the reign is on now" refers to the idea that when success comes, it comes in abundance, and that although he has risen to fame, he has not forgotten the hard times leading up to it.
Joey refers to himself as the "king" and compares himself to LeBron James, who was also successful straight out of high school. The line "I turn my dreams to reality, So, I burn green same time I burn calories" reflects his hard work and dedication to his craft.
The second verse delves into Joey's struggles with balancing fame, fortune, and his personal life. He speaks about his demons and how they tempt him to indulge in vices like drinking and lust. However, he tries to stay on track and not let his success get to his head.
The third verse references the obstacles Joey faced while trying to make it big in the music industry. He talks about being judged and marginalized and how it's difficult to sustain fame due to the constant change in the industry. Despite these challenges, he remains determined to stay true to himself and his music.
Overall, Reign is a song about perseverance and overcoming obstacles to achieve success. Joey Bada$$ encourages his listeners to continue working hard toward their dreams, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
When it rains it pours down
Life can be tough and overwhelming at times.
Used to wanna be king said the reign is on now
I used to dream of success, now I'm on my way to achieving it.
King me like james straight out of high school
I will rule the game just like LeBron James.
To the big games but you know just how I do
I'm confident in my abilities and how I approach success.
Adapted to these new ways of living, getting money and sinning
I've adjusted to the lifestyle of chasing success, which includes greed and temptation.
Go together like denims diamonds and women
These three things are often associated with success and can be alluring distractions.
Tryna balance it at once but keep hitting these blunts
I try to balance everything, but sometimes I give in to the temptation of drugs.
Demons of lust, keep hinting they stunts when I'm drunk
The temptation of pleasure and sin can be stronger when under the influence of alcohol.
What if I jumped off this cloud full of thinking aloud
What if I stopped daydreaming and faced reality?
Into a, pool of my sorrow and start sinking in doubt
What if I gave in to my insecurities and doubts?
Rethinking it out, cause tomorrow ain't ever promising
I need to think about my actions today, because I can't assume that tomorrow will come.
And ever blink it counts for a prophet who see deposits
Every moment counts and can lead to financial gain.
But he ain't always see the positives
Sometimes success is hard to see, and obstacles can make it seem impossible.
He used to live in poverty, thinking probably
I used to live in poverty and thought success was unlikely.
One day, he strike the lottery
But I still held onto the hope that success could happen overnight.
Cause dreaming big never been odd to me
I've always had ambitious dreams and goals.
And since a kid ive been on a musical odyssey
Music has always been my passion and my journey to success.
I knew the day would come where I wouldn't be sorry in a pile of g's
I knew one day I'd have financial success and be proud of it.
Or probably be rehearsing a verse on the beach
I knew one day I'd have the luxury of relaxing on the beach and practicing my craft.
Wait reverse in the speech
Let me change what I'm saying.
Cause it ain't always sunny on the sunny side
Success isn't always easy or happy.
But I'll stop shining when bunnies fly
I'll never stop striving for success, no matter how difficult it may be.
I turn my dreams to reality
I work hard to make my dreams come true.
So, I burn green same time I burn calories though
I make money while also putting in hard work.
I'm eating now in fact, I'm feasting now
I'm successful and enjoying the fruits of my labor.
No more mistreating, my miss is treated now
I'm treating my partner with love and respect.
No more misleading mister leader now
I'm no longer following a leader who only brings me down.
Mister visa now, I got green and cards with no limits
I have financial success and the freedom to spend as I like.
Bad boy life but shyne with no diddy
I have success, but I'm not focusing on fame and glory.
But it's no biggie, I spread love the brooklyn way
I'm not seeking attention, just spreading positivity in my community.
But when push come to shove I'm bout that crooklyn wave
But I'm still from Brooklyn and won't let anyone mess with me.
Shook for days, don't ever judge a book by a page
I've been through tough times, and I know not to judge someone by their appearance or past.
That could be a cover up if you ain't looking that way
Someone who looks like they have it all together could still be hiding something.
But what can I say, everything happens for a reason
I believe that everything that happens in life has a purpose.
Time will tell cause even fall lasts for a season
Everything is temporary, and time will reveal the purpose of our struggles.
So keep on believing, you live and learn die and you teach
Keep believing in yourself and learning from your experiences, even if they are painful.
Another, piece of the pie and it's finally sweet
Keep striving for success, and eventually, it will taste even better.
Said we done came a long way 365 bong rips later
I've come a long way from where I started, and success has taken hard work.
Last year I ain't make no paper
I struggled financially in the past.
All I earned was some kicks some snares from some haters
I only gained negative attention from my critics.
And some favors from some chicks that move there rumps like shakers
I only gained superficial attention from women who were only interested in my money.
But what's that shit, I was tryna be the greatest
None of that mattered to me, because I was always striving for greatness.
Upgrade to the grade a list, but all they do is degrade us
I want to be on the A-List, but often success brings criticism and hatred from others.
And it ain't to hard to be famous, whats hard is sustaining
It's easy to become famous, but harder to maintain that success.
Remaining the same when stuff changing
It's important to stay true to yourself when success is changing your life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: CHE KEVIN JESSAMY, JO-VAUGHN SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Burning_But_Whole
This brings me back to 9th grade. I'm failing college now.
@IllDawgable
How's it going right now?
@javonbeforethejourney
dawg i felt this , i wish you peace and prosperity thou
@FaptimusPile
fuck college bro aint gonna get u anywhere
@luigis0799
bro just keep fighting, i am already graduating this june and i endured this college shit for 9 years
@futuretrunks6927
I dropped out of high school , sooo i suck much more than u. tried like 2-3 times to finish last year of high school but i am feeling so bad , so I preferred to drop out(ik not best idea) , btw Europe here , we don't have GED. hope i will be fine
@beyondduality5247
Good vibes to bump to while walking home at night
@Curtisshane
BEYOND DUALITY always 👌👌
@beyondduality5247
I got the video to this
@jamalwoods2548
You soon will be driving home .. bless up