Joey Bada$$ Reignites East vs. West Coast Tensions in Red Bull 1520’s New “Spiral Freestyle” with Ab-Soul & Big Sean

Earlier today, Red Bull 1520 officially kicked off Season 3 of its Spiral Freestyle series by bringing together three lyrical heavyweights from different corners of the U.S.: Big Sean (Michigan), Joey Bada$$ (New York), and Ab-Soul (California). While the energy drink brand is no stranger to curating standout hip-hop moments, this particular episode of Spiral Freestyle has sparked serious conversation — and possibly reignited a simmering East vs. West coast rivalry.

A Cypher with Layers of Competition

All three emcees brought their signature flair to the mic. Big Sean delivered what fans have come to expect from him: clever punchlines, double entendres, and effortless charisma. But the real heat came from Joey Bada$$ and Ab-Soul, whose verses added layers of nuance and tension that have spilled beyond the freestyle format.

Joey, never one to shy away from lyrical confrontation, used the opportunity to fire off another round of subliminals — many of which are aimed directly at California’s rap scene, rekindling beef that began earlier this year.

Revisiting “The Ruler’s Back”

Back in January 2025, Joey Bada$$ dropped “The Ruler’s Back,” a Conductor Williams-produced track posted to his YouTube channel that stirred controversy. In it, the Pro Era frontman took aim at West Coast lyricists and their perceived overhype:

“Too much West Coast d**k lickin’ / I’m hearin’ n***s throwin’ rocks, really ain’t sht stickin’ / ‘Cause if we talkin’ bar for bar, really it’s slim pickings.”

He followed up with bars seemingly directed at Kendrick Lamar, as well as the West’s overall reverence in hip-hop:

“I got murals in my city, f*ck a nomination / This for every time they left me out the conversation.”

This sparked responses from TDE’s Ray Vaughn, who dropped the searing diss “Crashout Heritage,” and Daylyt, who responded more subtly on “Hiyu.” While the back-and-forth had cooled in recent months, Joey has now revived the feud on this freestyle, taking direct shots once again.

Joey’s Latest Shots — and Ab-Soul’s Diplomacy

During the Spiral Freestyle, Joey rapped:

“I shine through the late night / I ain’t gotta lose no sleep to break Daylyt / Shouldn’t give you n***s time of day / But fck it shine a light on ‘em, I’m a light Ray / If you need the attention, tell Top he gotta pay.”

Referencing both Daylyt and Ray Vaughn, Joey plays off their names while challenging their legitimacy. But just as things escalated, Ab-Soul — who has ties to both Joey and his TDE labelmates — took a more measured and peacekeeping approach, jumping in as Joey wrapped up.

Ab-Soul delivered lines that showed admiration for all sides:

“Pro Era the masters that ain’t ever incorrect / But it’s still TDE till 3000 and forever / Lyt was heavy and Ray definitely stepped / But this is hip-hop you know we still on that / It was healthy for the sport sticking to the roots / Keeping it competitive.”

His verse reminded fans and fellow artists that hip-hop thrives on lyrical warfare — as long as it stays rooted in respect and competition.

The Bigger Picture: Red Bull 1520’s Role

This freestyle wasn’t just about the bars — it was a statement of intent for Season 3 of Spiral Freestyle. Red Bull 1520, which has become a rising force in live and unscripted rap content, seems to be embracing real-time rap narratives, letting emcees bring their feuds, friendships, and philosophies to the mic.

Bringing together Joey, Ab-Soul, and Big Sean from three major regions is symbolic. It’s a nod to the regional diversity in modern hip-hop and an acknowledgment of the competitive spirit that keeps the genre vibrant.

What Comes Next?

While Big Sean kept things neutral, the tension between Joey Bada$$ and TDE’s roster seems far from resolved. With Joey fanning the flames and Ab-Soul walking the diplomatic tightrope, all eyes are now on Ray Vaughn and Daylyt to see if they’ll clap back — or let this round slide.

Regardless, Spiral Freestyle has already delivered on its promise to spotlight lyricism, rivalry, and real hip-hop energy. Season 3 is off to an electric start, and fans are ready for whatever comes next.