Joey Bada$$ returns with a bold statement in his new single “The Ruler’s Back,” throwing competitive shots at West Coast Hip Hop after it reasserted its dominance in 2024.
With production that blends smoothness with a gritty edge by Conductor Williams and Mario Luciano, the Brooklyn artist expresses frustration with the admiration given to his West Coast peers, continuing the fierce energy from last year into 2025.
“Too much West Coast dick lickin’ / I’m hearing n-ggas throwin’ rocks, really ain’t shit stickin’ / ‘Cause if we’re talking bar for bar, really it’s slim pickings / I rap like I draw pentagrams and kill chickens, n-gga / Fuck around with your soul like Ether, quick for a feature / This that black Air Force energy comin’ out your speaker,” he spits.
Claiming his place at the top of his own turf, Joey boldly asserts his right to the King of New York title, a crown once worn by legends like JAY-Z, Nas, and The Notorious B.I.G.
“I’m back by popular demand and world domination / I’m finna bomb on n-ggas’ plans, fresh off my vacation / I was sitting back, watching from an eagle eye / Trying not to react, just give me one reason, I swear I’m on full attack / East Coast n-gga ’til I die it’s / Clear who the heir apparent King of NY is, n-gga,” he raps.
“The Ruler’s Back” — a nod to fellow New Yorkers JAY-Z and Slick Rick — has not yet been made available on streaming platforms, though its music video is already up for viewing.
The song has sparked considerable discussion on social media, with some fans interpreting Joey Bada$$’s lyrics as a direct challenge to Kendrick Lamar, the West Coast superstar he has previously targeted in his tracks.
On the other hand, some listeners argue that “The Ruler’s Back” is simply a classic display of Hip Hop competitiveness.
“I’m kinda surprised ppl are looking at this Joey Badass and Conductor track as a Kendrick diss, the whole title is a homage to Jay-Z and Slick Rick, it just seems like he’s telling NY hip hop to step up,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Another fan added: “Joey Badass’ verse is something Kendrick Lamar would appreciate. Rather than going on an interview, GO TO THE BOOTH!! Hip-Hop is a Sport!”
Over the last year, the Pro Era artist has kept a low profile, releasing just two singles: “Tell Me” featuring Chloe Bailey and “Passports & Suitcases” with KayCyy.
Joey also made appearances on tracks with artists such as Cordae, Conway The Machine, IDK, Erick the Architect, and Powers Pleasant.
His latest album, 2000, dropped in 2022, and he mentioned last year that he was already deep into his next project.
At 29, Joey has previously compared the upcoming LP to Kanye West’s 808s & Heartbreak, saying: “I definitely can see myself visiting the [All-AmeriKKKan Bada$$] more conceptual and socially aware but a part of me wants to touch on love and my experience with romantic relationships a bit more.
“Something like a boom BAP and heartbreak album. I know my fans will probably hate that but that’s a direction I’ve been wanting to take for a while now whether you motherfuckers like it or not.”
