by Joey Bada$$
Released July 22, 2022 via Pro Era Records / Cinematic Music Group / Columbia Records
Reviewed August 2, 2022
Top tracks (based on community voting)
Survivor’s Guilt (68%), Brand New 911 (55%), Wanna Be Loved (32%)
This album was excellent. As the quasi-sequel to the renowned 1999, 2000 had some big shoes to fill. Not to be graphic, but this album filled them shoes like a hostess Twinkie. The sampling went crazy, as Joey was able to recreate that sentimental feeling. Brooklyn was fully represented, and 10 years later, Joey is still one of the best doing it. My favorite songs are “Brand New 911” and “Zipcodes.” Joey and Westside slide on the former, with some smooth horns playing in the background as the two share bars about semi-frivolous spending. “Zipcodes” gave me my favorite bar in “you fuckin' with the realest cat since Larry David.” Joey goes off on that track; he’s taking heads, reminding us that he really does this, all over a serene banger of a beat. This album as a whole is such a refreshing listen. Hopefully this project sparks the hip-hop resurgences we desperately need. I’m more so talking to the mainstream, but I’d much rather see rap move back to classic samples and modern drums, instead of the predictable shift to EDM that Drake is trying to push. For a wise beyond his years emcee, Joey was still able to show conceptual growth. One of my favorite parts of the album was his reflection on his relationship with XXXTentacion. He talked about him as a collaborator and young artist who was able to take criticism, and then hop in the booth with Joey on the track “infinity.” When I first heard that song on X’s album, I was surprised by the collaboration, and having Joey’s side of the story was great perspective. This album is full of nuggets documenting Joey’s illustrious career thus far. 2000 is a fantastic, refreshing, and well-timed addition to my album rotation. – Daniel (9/10)
Emerging as a kidwonder with the release of 1999 in 2012, Joey Bada$$, along with his Pro Era crew, caught the ear of the big leagues. 10 years on from 1999, Joey continues its lineage and pays homage to his roots with 2000. The third studio album from Joey Bada$$ comes after a five-year hiatus. Withdrawing from the political talk found on All-AmeriKKKan Bada$$,2000 is home to an atmospherically laidback aura. 1999 was a throwback to a sound which engulfed the 90's hip-hop scene. A gritty and street-infused offering, 1999 ventured around themes of loss, love and the lust for life; 2000 falls in and around similar topics, however more of a polished finish is applied, as one would expect 10 years on. The 10th Anniversary facet of 2000 feels like an afterthought and the lack of Pro Era affiliated artists feeds into this feeling. Anyone expecting 1999, Part 2 is bound to be let down. However, this doesn't detract from the quality of the music to be found on 2000; still, it can certainly feel disjointed and lost at times. – Peter (6.5/10)
Daniel: 9/10 | Pax: 7.5/10 | Cam: 7/10 | DeVán: 7/10
Hadley: 7/10 | Dominick: 6.5/10 | Peter: 6.5/10
Community Reviews:
2000 obviously doesn't capture the same energy of 1999. Joey isn't as urgent or vicious with his flows nor is he as insightful and sharp as he was on All-Amerikkkan Bada$$. However, if we look at 2000 without the comparisons to Joey's past efforts, there's still a lot to appreciate. Potentially Joey's most personal record with some truly powerful moments like "Head High" and "Survivors Guilt" as well as just a solid and pretty consistent old-school throwback with nostalgic, summery tunes like "Brand New 911", "Make Me Feel", "Zipcodes" where Joey's talent as a rapper is shown numerous times. It's not reinventing the wheel but 2000 is still a well-written and enjoyable record from Joey. – @andre_vital_pardue (7.8/10)
