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$$, he released the follow-up to his debut mixtape, 1999, ten years later on July 22, 2022. The name of this album, his third studio album, was 2000. During 2022, Joey released multiple singles to the album including Head High, Survivors Guilt, Zipcodes and 2 more. In the album, Joey goes over plenty of topic matters such as dealing with mental health, the passing of his friend Captial Steez and his cousin, Junior B, ten years later, and his overal life. 2000 debuted at No.18 on the Billboard 200 chart and sold roughly 22,000 album-equvialent units in its first week. The album was well perceived by fans and critcs, and was deemed to be a generally good lead up to his mixtape 1999.
Snakes
Joey Bada$$ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Free Max P
Owww (owwwwwww)
Uh uh (uh uh) [x3]
It's like (it's like)
[Verse 1: Joey BADA$$]
Sometimes I feel alienated
Or on the radio sayin'
Fuck 'em: broads we don't love 'em we degradin' 'em
But always find my self back at the backanadian
Blood vessels poppin' out my craniums
Niggas askin' when the tape gon' drop
But I got nothin' to say to them
Because I been stackin this skill
Although my passion is real
I'm too cool to cash in the feel
When I should be cashin' a mil
It's something bout me being younger
That affected my hunger
Got older in number
Realized I can't count on these hundreds
To determine my elation
Pursuit of happiness I keep pacin'
These motherfucka's faces
These ain't fear races
They just let the fit erase us
Adopted by the slum
Son of cards this is how they raped us
Yo son we gotta raise up
Don't let them just array us
'Till we raisins in the sun
So we gotta wake up
[Hook: T'nah Apex]
Cause they always be behind in the cut
Always in the skies watchin' stars when they up
So don't you confide into the evil and corrupt
This is urgent
Apex on the vertex
And I'm with seven serpents
Cause they always be behind in the cut
Always in the skies watchin' stars when they up
So don't you confide into the evil and corrupt
This is urgent
[Verse 2: Joey BADA$$]
Got a whole bunch of shit up on my plate now
Thinkin' like in the man garden it's a snake now
Cause I don't know who to believe
Or who to deceive
Got me thinkin' I
Sold my soul and they received a receipt
But I won't proceed to retreat
Jigga told me watch your thrown seat
And now I sees it
And the respect to big
I gotta cease it
And I hope he see me
Cause these niggas don't want beef with my talents
They ain't fit for this green
They just caesar salad
You think because you avid they just gonna let you have it
It's a lot to learn and that my nigga need to ask us
It's the axis of the earth at the birth
I found a new balance
And now I walk on water just like I knew balance just like a relative
Marijuana sedatives got me thinkin' I should put a bomb right where the senate is
Cause they corruptin' the youth
We ain't inductin' the truth
Lookin' at the president like yo it must be nothin' to you
[Hook: T'nah Apex]
[Verse 3: Joey BADA$$]
I passed the dutch to left and it started to make sense
It's funny how I see it more straight when I'm bent
You've been warned on the wrist to take a sit on top
Been on clock
Cause you could see that I been on watch
It don't stop
'Till you make the sacrifices
Trainin' was priceless to ices and devices
When the light switch I shift like I'm typin'
Livin' in the era where christ is the crisis
The lifeless in the trance actin like yo mans
Bitch niggas only know that transactions is the plans
But the mic is in my hands so I faild the booth
The blacker the berry is the more sour the fruit
They ejectin' us to make us cowards
To the power of truth
Became flowers from roots
And now we just move in cahoots
I move from the stoop and put my foot right down on the asphalt
Every night I ask lord if this what I asked for
[Hook: T'nah Apex]
In Joey Bada$$'s song "Snakes," the rapper shares his experiences and thoughts on the rap industry, fame and corruption. He starts the first verse by admitting that he often feels alienated because he's not like the typical artist on the radio who degrade women. He then talks about how he's been working on his skills and passion for music, but he feels like he can't count on money to determine his happiness. The second verse starts by discussing how he worries that he may have sold his soul in the rap game, but he's determined not to retreat. Instead, he heeds Jay-Z's warning to watch his throne and earn respect in the industry. Joey Bada$$ talks about how the world corrupts the youth, and he wants to speak the truth to power, even if it means putting his life in danger. The song ends with T'nah Apex's catchy hook, urging everyone not to confide in evil and to be aware of the snakes lurking in the cut.
Line by Line Meaning
Free Max P
Expression of support for Max P, likely a friend or associate of the artist
Sometimes I feel alienated
Joey experiences feelings of isolation and disconnection
Because I'm not up in this alien plant
Joey feels out of place in the music industry
Or on the radio sayin'
Joey is not receiving mainstream radio play
Fuck 'em: broads we don't love 'em we degradin' em
Misogynistic lyrics that degrade women
But always find my self back at the backanadian
Joey returns to a state of being an underdog
Blood vessels poppin' out my craniums
Joey experiences stress and pressure related to his career
Niggas askin' when the tape gon' drop
People are eager to hear Joey's upcoming music release
But I got nothin' to say to them
Joey doesn't want to give away the details of his upcoming release
Because I been stackin this skill
Joey has been dedicating time to improving his craft
Although my passion is real
Joey is dedicated to his music and takes it seriously
I'm too cool to cash in the feel
Joey values his authenticity over commercial success
When I should be cashin' a mil
Joey acknowledges that he could make a lot of money by compromising his artistic integrity
It's something bout me being younger
Joey reflects on how his age affects his outlook on life
That affected my hunger
Joey feels that he was more motivated in the past
Got older in number
Joey has matured since he started making music
Realized I can't count on these hundreds
Joey understands that money alone won't bring him happiness or fulfillment
To determine my elation
Joey doesn't believe that material possessions or wealth are the keys to happiness
Pursuit of happiness I keep pacin'
Joey is focused on achieving happiness and fulfillment in his life
These motherfucka's faces
Joey doesn't trust or respect certain people in the industry
These ain't fear races
Joey recognizes that racism is still prevalent in society
They just let the fit erase us
Joey feels that people in power are trying to silence him and others like him
Adopted by the slum
Joey grew up in a poor neighborhood
Son of cards this is how they raped us
Joey feels that systemic oppression keeps people in poverty and underprivileged
Yo son we gotta raise up
Joey believes that people need to fight against systemic oppression and inequality
Don't let them just array us
Joey warns against being divided and conquered by the powers that be
'Till we raisins in the sun
Joey references a famous play about a black family struggling against discrimination and poverty
So we gotta wake up
Joey urges his listeners to become aware of the issues facing their community
Got a whole bunch of shit up on my plate now
Joey feels overwhelmed with responsibilities
Thinkin' like in the man garden it's a snake now
Joey compares his environment to a dangerous and deceptive ecosystem
Cause I don't know who to believe
Joey is unsure who to trust in the music industry
Or who to deceive
Joey may feel like he needs to deceive others in order to succeed
Got me thinkin' I
Joey is introspective and reflective
Sold my soul and they received a receipt
Joey feels like he's compromised his morals for the sake of his career
But I won't proceed to retreat
Joey won't give up on his values and beliefs
Jigga told me watch your thrown seat
Jay-Z advised Joey to protect the success he's earned
And now I sees it
Joey understands the importance of protecting his career
And the respect to big
Joey shows reverence for the late rapper Notorious B.I.G.
I gotta cease it
Joey will stop at nothing to achieve success
And I hope he see me
Joey hopes that Biggie can see the legacy he's created
Cause these niggas don't want beef with my talents
Joey thinks his skills would intimidate his rivals
They ain't fit for this green
Joey thinks his rivals lack the skills to succeed in the music industry
They just caesar salad
Joey thinks his rivals are unimpressive and weak
You think because you avid they just gonna let you have it
Joey tells aspiring artists that they have to work hard to achieve success
It's a lot to learn and that my nigga need to ask us
Joey encourages others to seek out knowledge and advice from those who have succeeded before them
It's the axis of the earth at the birth
Joey references the Earth's axis and birth as a metaphor for change
I found a new balance
Joey feels more stable and in control of his life
And now I walk on water just like I knew balance just like a relative
Joey feels like he can accomplish anything he sets his mind to
Marijuana sedatives got me thinkin' I should put a bomb right where the senate is
Joey expresses frustration towards political corruption and feels like taking drastic action
'Cause they corruptin' the youth
Joey thinks that politicians are negatively influencing young people
We ain't inductin' the truth
Joey thinks that politicians are hiding the truth from the people
Lookin' at the president like yo it must be nothin' to you
Joey criticizes the president for not doing enough to help the people
I passed the dutch to left and it started to make sense
Joey finds clarity and insight while smoking marijuana
It's funny how I see it more straight when I'm bent
Joey feels like he can perceive reality more clearly when he's intoxicated
You've been warned on the wrist to take a sit on top
Joey warns others to be careful and not get in over their heads
Been on clock
Joey has been working hard and putting in time to achieve his goals
Cause you could see that I been on watch
Joey has been keeping an eye out for obstacles and opportunities
It don't stop
Joey won't give up on his dreams and goals
'Till you make the sacrifices
Joey acknowledges that success requires hard work and personal sacrifice
Trainin' was priceless to ices and devices
Joey values the experience and knowledge he's gained through his hard work
When the light switch I shift like I'm typin'
Joey is constantly evolving and adapting to new situations
Livin' in the era where christ is the crisis
Joey references the turmoil and conflict in the world, often related to religion
The lifeless in the trance actin like yo mans
Joey criticizes those who are disconnected from reality and blindly following others
Bitch niggas only know that transactions is the plans
Joey thinks that his competitors are only interested in making money
But the mic is in my hands so I faild the booth
Joey is confident in his ability as a rapper and performer
The blacker the berry is the more sour the fruit
Joey references a proverb to state that the darker your skin, the harder your life
They ejectin' us to make us cowards
Joey feels like those in power are trying to weaken and subjugate him and his community
To the power of truth
Joey believes that the truth will ultimately be more powerful than those who try to suppress it
Became flowers from roots
Joey sees hope and potential in his community, despite their struggles
And now we just move in cahoots
Joey and his community are working together to achieve success
I move from the stoop and put my foot right down on the asphalt
Joey has come a long way from his humble beginnings
Every night I ask lord if this what I asked for
Joey prays for guidance and clarity in his life
Contributed by Maria F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.