Joey Bada$$ is back. The question is, what is the NY native going to come with this time around? He splashed onto the scene in 2012 with his debut mixtape, 1999, and since then, he’s been through a ton. He lost his friend in Capital Steez, he dropped a second mixtape in Summer Knights and then delivered on his debut album B4.DA.$$. We’ve known Joey Bada$$ to be heavily influenced by greats such as MF DOOM, Styles of Beyond and many more, but it seems on Joey’s newest effort, he’s taken his sound in a new direction.

“Front and Center” is the name of the new single by the Pro Era captain and it’s a bit different from what we’re used to. Cookin Soul produced the beat and it has more of a trap influence. Plus, Joey’s lyrics fit along with it. No longer are we dealing with 17-year-old Joey. He’s been in this for four years now. Gone are the bars about high school and being new to this. Joey Bad comes correct on this, but I really wonder where this is going to lead him when the full-length releases. Will we get something darker? Maybe something with more turn-up anthems? Who knows, but for now, stream “Front and Center” below and let me know what you think.

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