Joey Bada$$ is stirring the pot again with his latest single, ‘Sorry Not Sorry’, taking clear shots at J. Cole and the West Coast hip-hop scene. Produced by Mario Luciano and Conductor Williams, the track is packed with fiery lines that reignite tensions within the rap game.
In the opening verse, the Pro Era rapper seemingly calls out J. Cole, referencing the latter’s 2024 mixtape ‘Might Delete Later’, which included the controversial diss track ‘7 Minute Drill’ aimed at Kendrick Lamar. Joey raps:
“Might delete later, I know damn sure that Joey won’t / Fuck it, I want all the smoke (Yeah), put my credit on the line / ’Cause n****s can’t fuck with me, we talkin’ ’bout it line for line.”
The line seems to challenge Cole’s decision to retract ‘7 Minute Drill’ after initially inserting himself into the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar feud that dominated headlines last year. While some praised Cole for stepping back, others criticized him for wavering, tarnishing his reputation in the process. Joey’s bar, however, leaves no room for retreat.
Shots at the West Coast
Joey doesn’t stop at Cole. The Brooklyn MC also sets his sights on the West Coast, taking aim at the culture and its dominance in the hip-hop industry. On the track, he spits:
“51 Hart Street, 193 Vernon Avenue / N****s with attitudes / Man, I’m bigging up my city, that’s something I had to do.”
The sentiment echoes his earlier 2024 release, ‘The Ruler’s Back,’ where Joey criticized media bias toward West Coast rappers:
“Too much West Coast dick lickin’ / I’m hearing n****s throwin’ rocks, really ain’t shit stickin’ / ‘Cause if we’re talking bar for bar, really it’s slim pickings.”
Joey Bada$$ Returns with a Vengeance
Joey’s latest single is part of a renewed energy from the rapper, who last dropped his full-length project ‘2000’ in 2022. That album featured collaborations with heavyweights like JID, Chris Brown, and Westside Gunn, cementing his presence in the industry.
As ‘Sorry Not Sorry’ makes waves, fans are left wondering: Is Joey sparking a new East vs. West feud, or is he simply reaffirming his lyrical dominance? One thing is certain—Joey Bada$$ is making sure everyone knows he’s here to stay, unapologetically stirring the pot in the process.
What do you think about Joey’s latest diss? Let us know in the comments!
