“A worthy opponent unlike Drake” - Fans react as Joey Badass seemingly disses Kendrick Lamar in new song

Joey Badass, the critically acclaimed rapper and lyricist, has once again sparked conversation with the release of his latest track.

On January 1, 2025, Joey Badass, whose real name is Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott, a New York-based artist, released a track titled The Ruler's Back. The song has sparked speculation that Scott has seemingly dissed Kendrick Lamar.

While there is no documented feud between the two artists, Badass weighed in on the lyrical battle between J. Cole and Lamar earlier this year, which fueled rumors of tension between him and Lamar.

The popular lyrical battle between Kendrick Lamar and Drake is well-documented, with many believing Lamar emerged victorious.

Following the release of Badass's track, comparisons between Drake and Badass began circulating on Instagram, with some users suggesting that Badass could be a more formidable opponent for Lamar.

"I mean he can be a worthy opponent unlike Drake," one person commented.

A user on Instagram commented (Image via Instagram/@rapmusic)

Additionally, many Instagram users expressed excitement about the potential for another high-profile rap feud. Some stated that they enjoyed the diss track and saw it as a sign that 2025 might bring fresh energy to the rap scene.

The users on Instagram commented (Image via Instagram/@rapmusic)

However, opinions were divided. While some fans praised Joey Badass for his lyrical abilities, calling his "pen game" underrated, others criticized the move, expressing their disappointment that he would target Kendrick Lamar in such a manner.

The users on Instagram commented (Image via Instagram/@rapmusic)

As of now, neither Joey Badass nor Kendrick Lamar has publicly responded to the online reactions or the speculation surrounding the diss track.

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Joey Badass' new song allegedly hints at Kendrick Lamar

On Wednesday, January 1, 2024, Joey Badass released a new track titled The Ruler's Back on his YouTube channel, Joey Bada$$. The song, which lasts two minutes and thirty-three seconds, includes several references, but what notably caught attention was a seemingly subtle diss at Kendrick Lamar.

In verse two of the song, Badass seemingly alluded to the West Coast rap scene, which Lamar is heavily associated with.

"Too much West Coast d**k lickin' / I'm hearin' n***as throwin' rocks, really ain't s**t stickin' / 'Cause if we talkin' bar-for-bar, really it's slim pickings / I rap like I draw pentagrams and kill chickens, n***a / F**k around with your soul like ether, quick for a feature / This that black Airforce energy comin' out your speaker," Badass rapped.

Additionally, Joey Badass proclaimed himself to be a crowned king, a stance similar to Lamar's claim as the "King of New York" in Big Sean's track Control, released on August 14, 2013.

"I'm out your reach, your arms too short to box the Elohim / Still reigning rap supreme, me and Steelo had a dream / I stand tall in this rap thing like Yao Ming / And won't stop 'til the crowd sing when I'm crowned king / My aura scream and my style ring / This ain't boom bap, n***a, this that boom-bow-bing," Badass rapped.

Joey Badass on X (Image via X/@joeyBADASS)

While Joey Badass has not commented on the matter, this is not the first time he has referenced Kendrick Lamar.

On April 5, 2024, amid the lyrical battle between Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and J. Cole (with Cole exiting early), Badass weighed in by sharing the link to his track Killuminati Pt. 2, released on August 26, 2013, on X with the caption "Never forget."

The track was a response to Kendrick's verse in Control from the same year. As Lamar called himself the King, Badass responded:

"You set yourself up for that one mane. The king of New York? / Ha! we ain't just gon' let that one hang / Last n***a got dethroned and you ain't from my zone / The rest of the real n***as is dead and gone," Badass rapped.

At the time, Kendrick Lamar did not respond, and to this day, neither Joey Badass nor Lamar has confirmed whether Badass intended the recent track as a diss.