With a style that's an all-encompassing throwback, going from Notorious B.I.G. to Mos Def, Brooklyn rapper Joey Bada$$ draws the golden age hip-hop fetishist in without a problem, but his delivery is so full of life, it still holds sway for those who don't know their Bad Boy from their Death Row. This fine debut is also filled with productions from Statik Selektah, DJ Premier, and others whose names hold weight, but beat junkies will most likely jump right to the smoky highlight "Like Me," where the Roots complete a lost track from the late, great J. Dilla. Reggae singer Chronixx makes a guest appearance on an album with few features, but the bonus edition comes with "Run Up on Ya," where Action Bronson and Elle Varner threaten to steal the show.
David Jeffries