Joey Bada$$ vs. The West Coast: A Hip-Hop Beef Breakdown
The world of hip-hop is currently ablaze with a fiery East Coast vs. West Coast feud, spearheaded by Brooklyn's own Joey Bada$$. What started as a critique of the West Coast's dominance has erupted into a full-blown battle, with numerous diss tracks exchanged and tensions running high. Is Joey Bada$$ winning this coast-to-coast clash? Let's break down the beef and see what's been happening.
It all began on New Year's Day, 2025, when Joey Bada$$ dropped "The Ruler's Back," a track that took aim at the West Coast's perceived overconfidence following Kendrick Lamar's victory over Drake. "Too much West Coast d*ck lickin'," he rapped, igniting a chain reaction. While initially met with a relatively quiet response, the track eventually stirred the pot enough to draw some strong reactions.
The West Coast responded. Ray Vaughn, in particular, took the bait, stating, "You know you put a target on your back, and the West Coast, we got a Mortal Kombat ladder." Since then, Vaughn, along with other artists like Daylyt, Reason, and AZ Chike, have stepped up to defend their territory, releasing a flurry of diss tracks aimed at Joey Bada$$.
However, many argue that Joey Bada$$ is holding his own, if not dominating, in this lyrical war, with songs like "The Finals," "My Town," and "Crash Test Dummy" being cited as standouts. His sharp lyrics and strategic moves, like filing a TDEast trademark and buying the domain name for his battle releases, show he is focused and determined.
Even East Coast rappers are joining the fray. CJ Fly (from Pro Era), Kai Ca$h, and Really Jaewon (son of Jadakiss) have dropped tracks in support of Joey, though some feel their contributions haven't been as impactful. Many fans clamor for the Griselda crew, specifically Benny The Butcher, to enter the mix but he just wants to enjoy the beef.
This beef has had its share of colorful moments. AZ Chike's entry, "What Would You Do?," was quickly countered by Joey Bada$$ who brought in battle rap veteran Loaded Lux for "My Town," a move widely seen as a devastating blow. There's also the personal side, with Ray Vaughn calling out Joey Bada$$'s alleged associations with Diddy. The ongoing back-and-forth demonstrates a revitalized competitive spirit reminiscent of past rap rivalries.
Ultimately one must ask, is Joey Bada$$ aiming for attention and album promotion from the start of this feud with the West Coast? If so it can be said he has accomplished it.
What do you think? Is Joey Bada$$ winning this battle? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
