𝑰𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝐟 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝒀𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝑩𝒂𝒅𝒂$$?

When Joey Bada$$ stepped back into the rap game, he shook things up with The Ruler’s Back.

A bold claim from one of New York’s best lyricists, but confidence is the essence of New York rap. Joey has been in the game for some time, with a résumé that speaks for itself—especially considering he dropped his classic mixtape, 1999, at just 17 years old. Over the years, he has taken time away from rap, focusing on his acting career, most notably starring as Kadeem "Unique" Mathis in Power Book III: Raising Kanan. Fans were anticipating his return but didn’t expect it to be this bold.

Joey didn’t just bring competitive rap energy back with the help of Conductor Williams but he made a statement that got everyone talking:

"It's clear who the heir apparent king of NY."

And then, there was the line—one I won’t repeat out of respect for the West—that called out the overpraise of the West Coast, insisting that the East is still here. That single bar sparked debates from both coasts, making Joey’s claim a polarizing statement to remember

Who Really Holds The Crown?

The biggest debate among New Yorkers wasn’t just whether Joey was the King of New York, but what even defines the title in today’s rap game.

Some argue that Joey can’t claim the throne after being away for so long. But then again, who in New York right now is truly carrying the city’s rap legacy?

• Some say the drill movement defines modern NYC hip-hop, depending on where you’re from (boroughs matter in these debates) and your age (younger listeners vs. old heads).
• Others believe Griselda and their gritty, lyrical approach represent the essence of 90s-2000s New York rap—hence why even my dad is a fan of their movement.
• The closest we had to a true King of NY in recent memory was Pop Smoke—his impact on NY drill and beyond was undeniable.

But looking at the new generation, there isn’t a clear successor. What even defines the King of New York today?

In my opinion, the crown should go to someone with lyrics, style, and influence—while staying true to New York’s sound. If we’re talking legends, Nas is still active, and personally, he’d be my pick. But if we’re keeping it present-day, Joey makes a case, though he needs to drop music more consistently. His next project will need to leave a mark to back up this claim.

What’s interesting is that no other NY rapper challenged Joey’s statement. That alone raises the question: Who in New York right now is truly rapping at an elite level?

There can only be one King, but right now, New York is divided—some follow the trends of nightlife, while others stay loyal to golden-era lyricism. If Joey is serious about this claim, his next project will be the deciding factor.

The East vs. West Rivalry—Reignited?

The East vs. West rivalry had been on pause since the 90s, but Joey’s comments gave us a glimpse of what it would look like in today’s era (to a smaller degree). West Coast rappers like Daylyt and Ray Vaughn took offense to Joey’s words, responding with their own tracks to defend their coast. To their credit, they kept it strictly rap, which is exactly what hip-hop needs right now.

Is this the competitive rap resurgence we’ve been missing?

One thing is for sure, Joey isn’t backing down nor is he apologizing so therefore he said:

A Record That Will Not Be Deleted Later

Joey’s track "Sorry Not Sorry" is one of my favorite videos in recent memory. It put everyone on notice—he wasn’t just talking; he was proving himself the Brooklyn way. Some fans questioned whether he would respond to every diss thrown his way, while others criticized him for not calling out names directly.

For that, he had one answer:

He didn't need to.

In response he tells the game:

Now, the question remains: Does Joey truly have what it takes to be King of New York?

Only time will tell if a Pro from this Era will be the definitive King of NY.

I give this EP a 3 out of 5.