Joey Badass

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Joey Bada$$, born Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott on January 20, 1995 in Brooklyn, New York, is an American rapper, singer, actor, and songwriter. He comes from a Caribbean family (his maternal side from St. Lucia and his paternal side from Jamaica) and grew up in East Flatbush and Bed-Stuy. He started writing poetry and songs at 11 and began rapping as JayOhVee before changing his stage name to Joey Bada$$.

In 2011, he helped start the hip-hop group Pro Era, and later joined the Beast Coast collective. He first gained major attention after posting freestyles online in 2010 and 2012. His debut solo mixtape, 1999, released in 2012, followed by The Secc$ Tap.e. Pro Era released the P.E.E.P: The aPROcalypse mixtape that year. The track “Survival Tactics” and his early work helped him rise in the underground scene, and he appeared on tracks like “1 Train” with ASAP Rocky in 2013.

Joey released his first studio album, B4.DA.$$, in 2015 to critical praise, and it peaked at number five on the Billboard 200. His second album, All-Amerikkkan Badass, arrived in 2017 and also reached number five. His third album, 2000, came out in 2022 and peaked at number 22. He made his television acting debut in 2016 on Mr. Robot as Leon. He has released several notable singles, performed on major TV stages, and reissued his breakthrough mixtape 1999 in 2018.

On the personal side, Joey has spoken about his journey with relationships and family life, including becoming a father to Indigo Rain. In 2025 he began a public feud with rapper Ray Vaughn, releasing diss tracks, and announced his fourth studio album, Lonely at the Top, which was released on August 29, 2025, featuring guests like Ty Dolla $ign, Rome Streetz, CJ Fly, Westside Gunn, and ASAP Ferg. The album was promoted with the lead singles “ABK” and “Dark Aura,” and he performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! ahead of the release.

Influenced by legends like Nas, 2Pac, Black Thought, MF DOOM, J Dilla, Andre 3000, Jay-Z, and The Notorious B.I.G., Joey Bada$$ is known for his thoughtful, lyric-focused style and for helping spark a renewed interest in East Coast hip-hop. He has also been involved in various collaborations, tours, and performances that highlight his ongoing impact on the genre.