Joey Bada$$ Declares “The Ruler’s Back“: A New York Anthem Igniting Hip-Hop Debate
The opening salvo of 2025 in the hip-hop arena has been delivered with undeniable force by Joey Bada$$ with his blistering new single, “The Ruler’s Back.”
Released on New Year’s Day, January 1, this track marks Joey’s triumphant return to solo work since 2023, setting the stage for what promises to be a year of lyrical fireworks.
Produced by the dynamic duo of Conductor Williams and Mario Luciano, “The Ruler’s Back” presents a sonic tapestry woven with a smooth yet undeniably grimy beat, providing the perfect canvas for Joey to unleash his razor-sharp lyricism.
The very title, “The Ruler’s Back,” serves as a potent homage to New York rap icons JAY-Z and Slick Rick, immediately establishing a connection to the city’s rich hip-hop heritage.
However, the track’s lyrical content extends beyond mere homage, delving into a pointed critique of what Joey perceives as an overabundance of praise directed towards West Coast rappers.
This bold stance, coupled with his unambiguous claim to the “King of New York” title, has ignited fervent debate across social media platforms, with listeners parsing every line for hidden meanings and potential disses.
The most incendiary lines, such as “Too much West Coast d*ck lickin’ / I’m hearing n-ggas throwin’ rocks, really ain’t sh*t stickin’ / ‘Cause if we’re talking bar for bar, really it’s slim pickings,” have been interpreted by many as a direct challenge, potentially aimed at Kendrick Lamar, further fueling the fires of speculation.
Accompanied by a visually striking music video directed by Waqas Ghani, “The Ruler’s Back” is currently available on YouTube, offering fans an immediate opportunity to immerse themselves in the track’s raw energy and lyrical complexity.
While a wider release on streaming services is yet to materialize, the impact of this single is already palpable.
This release also heralds the arrival of Joey’s first full-length project since “2000” in 2022, leaving fans eagerly anticipating a potential new album and solidifying Joey Bada$$’s position as a vital voice in contemporary hip-hop.
Quotable Lyrics:
Moved out the city, copped the house in the sticks
Couple acres, couple whips, whole lotta blicks
I got options, baby, take your pick
Might f**k around and coordinate the fit, take a—
Ha-ha, this my life in film, baby, I just write the script
Mister really put that on, they be counterfeit
I’m taking calculated risk, too legit to quit
Could get you ni**as acclimated quick
It’s rules to this sh*t, hol’ up—
