Joey Bada$$ The Ruler’s Back (Official Video)

Written by @Sonofajones

Brooklyn emcee brought in 2025 strong with new visuals for “The Ruler’s Back”. Laced with a conductor instrumental the Pro Era general swing’s his pen wide from “East to West”. Letting it be known to Hip-Hop culture that “The Ruler’s Back”.

Before we get into the subtle controversy of the video let’s first congratulate Joey on having a great 2024. Hip-Hop has always been an instrumental tool in educating the masses. Back in September The Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU, announced its fall 2024 artist in residence: Joey Bada$$. This residency would give students in NYU a first hand look into the arts (TV, Film, Music, etc) from one of today’s elite artist, and activists.

Source of image NYU Photo Bureau

NYU would not be the only stop for Joey in academia. The Brooklynite announced through his organization “Impact Men Mentorship” that he would also have a residency at Columbia. As one of the first, and youngest artists of color. Let’s take a quick step back, and acknowledge the impact from Mr. Scott, and Impact Men Mentorship. His organization takes aim at providing free mentorship to men of color. The objective of his program is “to commit to a man of color’s professional development and growth by sharing expertise, experience, wisdom, insights, guidance, and constructive criticism.

With a year filled with mass accomplishments. Such as magazine covers, million’s of streams for his music, television appearances, etc. Joey’s greatest accomplishment goes beyond his artistry. Being a shining example of what a strong, upright, Black Man! In today’s climate of hip-hop the culture has been infiltrated, and influenced by in-authentic, talent less capitalist. Nonetheless “The Ruler’s Back”.

Directed by Waqas Ghani, the music video starts off with Joey letting the fans know how he has upgraded his life as of recently. Bars that stick out to me is “I have murals in my city f#ck a nomination. This for every time they left me out of the conversation.” This bar was heavy. While hip-hop continues to age gracefully. With veterans like Redman, and Snoop Dogg still putting out quality music. A question remains. Who are the younger faces in hip-hop to carry the torch. Who are the true emcee’s that care about the art, and pushing the culture beyond “Billboard numbers”?

Source of image Douglas Friedman

Just like in the NBA our veteran ball players can only take us so far. In hip-hop it’s time for a “new guard” to push the rock. Watching from an “eagle eye” the East Coast ruler let it be known he heard the chatter, and how he feels about it. “Too much West Coast D### licking/ I’m hearing ni##as throw shots but ain’t sh#t sticking/ cause if we talking bar for bar it’s really slim picks/ I rap like I draw pentagrams, and kill chickens”.

It’s not clear who the west coast emcee’s Joey is referring to. As a fan of hip-hop I’m glad 2025 is starting off correct. With a new leader taking control of the thrown!