Joey Bada$$ Challenges Kendrick Lamar to Rap Battle in Fiery New Track “The Finals”
Joey Bada$$ has officially thrown down the gauntlet, calling out Kendrick Lamar in a bold move that has added even more heat to the current wave of rap rivalries. In his latest diss track titled “The Finals”, the Brooklyn MC issues a direct challenge to the “Not Like Us” hitmaker, daring him to step into the lyrical ring.
“I salute you Kenny but I know you well aware / You lookin’ for some competition? Then just know that I’ll be right here,” Joey raps, sending a clear signal that he’s ready for a head-to-head battle with one of the West Coast’s most revered artists. Though the track takes aim primarily at TDE rapper Ray Vaughn, it’s the mention of Kendrick that has sparked widespread attention.
The gritty, no-holds-barred track also contains scathing bars aimed at Kendrick’s camp: “The way you let Dot dick sit in your mouth / This that same dick linkin’ I was talkin’ about / You n-ggas would do anything for the clout / Crash out over n-ggas who won’t even let you in they house / I bet you ain’t even got his number / It’s funny how the thirst is bein’ disguised as hunger.”
Joey’s war of words with the West Coast has been brewing for months, beginning with the release of “The Ruler’s Back” in January. In that track, he lashed out at the entire region’s rap scene with lines like: “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.”
The diss sparked a flurry of responses from West Coast artists, including Ray Vaughn, battle rap icon Daylyt, and TDE heavyweight Ab-Soul, who addressed Joey directly in a recent freestyle. “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 / Just be lucky that Soul ain’t stepping in,” Ab-Soul warned during the cypher.
Joey didn’t back down. He fired back with more bars on “The Finals”, defending his stance and doubling down on his critique: “First off, I could never hate the West Coast / But since n-ggas comin’ for Joe, fuck it then, let’s go / N-ggas must’ve forgot what Dot said on ‘Control’ / There’s still a buncha sensitive rappers in they pyjama clothes.”
The line referencing Kendrick’s infamous verse on Big Sean’s “Control” serves as both a reminder of Joey’s respect for the lyrical standard and a declaration that he’s unafraid to challenge it. He continues with: “I guess, this ain’t no East versus West / I just think that I’m the best, as a matter fact, I know / These bars could put bad boys on death row / Kinda crazy how Suge and Puff in jail, though.”
With tensions rising and social media already buzzing, the ball is now in Kendrick Lamar’s court. Will he answer Joey Bada$$’ challenge or choose to stay silent? Either way, the competitive spirit of hip hop is alive and well — and Joey has made it clear he’s not backing down.
