Joey Bada$$ and Ab-Soul got the opportunity to exchange bars face to face over an allegedly new East Coast-West Coast beef.
Appearing on Red Bull’s new Spiral Freestyle series alongside Big Sean, the two MC’s went head to head over Joey’s apparent issues with the West Coast which previously led to him being called out by Soul’s TDE stablemate Rey Vaughn earlier this year.
Ab-Soul spat during the cypher: “Lyt was heavy and Ray definitely stepped / But this is Hip Hop, you know we still on that / It was healthy for the sport, sticking to the roots, keeping it competitive / Just be lucky that Soul ain’t stepping in.”
The Pro Era star then aired his views on the situation in a meticulous verse: “They don’t want the war with the Martian, they sendin’ they troops / At the general, but I’m the one who Ab salute / They obsolete, can’t compete ’cause I’m too elite / Tryna spark a match but they simply lackin’ the heat / Blasphemy, I don’t need no one to blast for me / Charge into the game, call that shit a catastrophe.”
Joey added: “First off, I could never hate the West Coast / But since n-ggas comin’ for Joe, fuck it then, let’s go / N-ggas must’ve forgot what Dot said on ‘Control’ / There’s still a buncha sensitive rappers in they pyjama clothes. I guess, this ain’t no East versus West / I just think that I’m the best, as a matter fact, I know / These bars could put bad boys on death row / Kinda crazy how Suge and Puff in jail, though (Damn) (Woah) / Yo, I was at the party but I never seen a freak off (Woah) / Instead a battle rapper on stage showing his cheeks off (Ayo).”
He concluded with pointed references at Vaughn, Daylyt and TDE boss Top Dawg: “I ain’t gotta lose no sleep to break Daylyt (Chill) / Shouldn’t give you n-ggas time of day / But fuck it, shine a light on ’em, I’mma light Ray / Now how can I say this all in a nice way? / If you need the attention, tell Top he gotta pay / Look, I said what’s a lil’ pup to a K9, it’s game time.”
The apparent issues between Joey and the West Coast first came to the forefront on his single “The Ruler’s Back” where he played down the success California rap has had over the last year.
NEWS
Panic! At The Disco are preparing to release a special deluxe anniversary edition of A Fever You Can't Sweat Out.
The I Write Sins Not Tragedies icons marked the 20th anniversary of their groundbreaking 2005 debut album during their performance at When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas over the weekend, and have now confirmed the new edition.
On January 23, the group — originally formed by Brendon Urie, Spencer Smith, Ryan Ross and Brent Wilson — will unveil a limited edition box set that features a remastered version of the record.
The package, priced at £164.99 and available for pre-order, includes 11 unreleased demos and a vinyl pressing of 2006’s Live In Denver. The full live set has also been uploaded to YouTube.
On the band’s UK store, they shared a message:
“To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Panic! At The Disco’s seminal debut album, this limited edition box set brings together a comprehensive time capsule celebrating the record's impact.
This release includes the original album remastered for the first time ever, 11 unreleased demos, plus the legendary 2006 Live In Denver performance — never before released on vinyl or CD.
The box set also includes a 12-page zine with never before seen photos from the era, a sticker set, a door hanger, and a paper doll set.”
By 2023, the band had essentially become a solo project for Urie. Their final show was held in Manchester, UK, where the frontman said: “Sometimes a journey must end for a new one to begin.
“We’ve been trying to keep it to ourselves, though some of you may have heard… Sarah and I are expecting a baby very soon!
The prospect of being a father and getting to watch my wife become a mother is both humbling and exciting. I look forward to this next adventure.”
Panic! returned to the stage at WWWY over the weekend, performing A Fever You Can't Sweat Out in full alongside fan favorites like This Is Gospel and Nine in the Afternoon.
To end the night, they performed I Write Sins Not Tragedies once again, as Smith reunited with Urie for the emotional closing moment.
