Joey Bada$$ is back with a fiery new track, “Sorry Not Sorry,” and it seems he’s not holding back when it comes to his competitive energy toward West Coast Hip Hop. The Brooklyn rapper, known for his bold and unapologetic lyrics, makes it clear that unlike some of his peers, he won’t be retracting any of his words.
On the song, produced by Conductor Williams and Mario Luciano, Joey reps his New York roots with pride, as he sets the stage for what’s sure to be a tense year in rap. He opens the track with the line, “51 Hart Street, 193 Vernon Avenue, n-ggas with attitudes/Man, I’m bigging up my city, that’s something I had to do,” which some listeners are interpreting as a subtle jab at West Coast artists.
Joey also addresses the ongoing tension with fellow rapper J. Cole, referencing Cole’s recent Kendrick Lamar diss and the fact that Cole deleted it. Joey raps, “Might delete later, I know damn sure that Joey won’t/Fuck it, I want all the smoke!” signaling his readiness to face whatever comes his way in the competitive world of rap.
The track continues with aggressive energy as Joey spits, “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.” He further cements his position as one of the top lyricists with a line that blends intense imagery and punchy wordplay, “I rap like I draw pentagrams and kill chickens, n-gga / Fuck around with your soul like Ether, quick for a feature.”
Joey’s confidence extends to his claim of the King of New York title, a crown once worn by rap legends like JAY-Z, Nas, and The Notorious B.I.G. His assertion positions him as a major contender in the ongoing conversation about the best in the game today.
However, Joey’s competitive spirit has already sparked some backlash. TDE’s Ray Vaughn responded to Joey’s jabs with a freestyle over Kendrick Lamar’s “The Heart Pt. 6,” titled “Crashout Heritage.” In his verse, Ray Vaughn takes aim at Joey’s apparent sneak dissing and warns him not to get confused with “shooting them movies” as opposed to “really shooting.” Vaughn also made sure to tag Joey on social media, adding fuel to the fire with his comment, “2025 no sneak dissin, only crashouts.”
Joey Bada$$ has yet to respond directly to Ray Vaughn, but it’s clear that the tension is rising. As the year progresses, it’s likely that these competitive jabs will continue to shape the dynamic of the rap game. With “Sorry Not Sorry,” Joey makes it known that he’s ready to face any challengers and stake his claim as one of rap’s elite.
