S. Samuel
Brooklyn rap newcomer Joey Bada$$ has stepped up to silence rumors and gossip blogs claiming he officially joined forces with rap mogul Jay-Z at Roc Nation.
According to Bada$$, media outlets jumped the gun on a deal which, he said, never existed.
“They actually announced it on the radio that I signed with them — that was dumb as f*ck,” Joey said in an interview. “Won’t sign to no major, for no wager, less than a 3 million offer of the top, I be in a box when my coffin drops, why settle for an office spot? That type of thing, you know. Not really, major labels is just not where my head is at right now, you know? [Independent?] Yeah, that’s more of where my head is at, ’cause that’s what I’m tryna to do, I’m tryna go more independent.” (The Source)
Joey also discussed what big plans he has to expand his fan base in 2013.
“Well, that part, thats what I was planning last year. Now, I feel like whatever move I do will expand my fan base, so I’m just at a point now where I’m just doing me, cause I feel like I have basically a strong following right now, its just gonna continue to expand, like through word of mouth, just through seeing it, seeing the movement, like growing and everything.” (The Source)
Rumors of Joey possibly linking up with Roc Nation emerged in earlier January.
LISTEN: Hip-Hop is doing just fine. Even though it may not be exactly what we want, it really hasn’t been that since the very beginning. Now, Jay-Z is the don of dons to this day in Hip-Hop. Really like what dude is doing, even though he has his fair share of critics. With the rumors that he’s moving on, I am hearing Jigga man has signed the boy Joey Bada$$ to THE ROC! Man, the kid Joey is only 17 but he’s got bars of fury! Furthermore, Joey is from Brooklyn! Wow. He’s got that 90?s rawness! Jay is smart for this one, should it be totally true. I gotta give it up. This is smart, because this young man is hungry. Rumor has it, Jay has given up on Jay Electronica. (AHH Rumors)
Recently, renowned booking agent Peter Schwartz spoke to SOHH about booking shows for Bada$$ off the strength of his online presence.
“But nowadays, the Internet’s so strong that an artist can put out a mixtape on the web and be worth tickets in Europe right away. For example, we work with Joey Bada$$ and he hasn’t really put out an album yet. He’s got music on the web but he just went over to Europe and did his first tour there selling out five hundred and six hundred cap clubs his first time there.” (SOHH Guest Star)
