Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott (born January 20, 1995), better known by his stage name Joey Badass (stylized as Joey Bada$$), is an American rapper, actor, and record producer.
My parents are both definitely supportive of my career. They are both big fans of rap. They are really what influenced me.
Once you dive into the African-American struggle or whatever you want to call it and you look past that, you realize that it's not a black people problem, it's a human problem. We all can't be at peace until we are all at peace. If there's a piece of us suffering, then we are all suffering. That's what it's about. That's the macro level.
The reason I speak out is because it's necessary. I feel like it's my responsibility. I feel like it's what I'm put here to do. Even on a simpler level, I feel like why can't we speak on what we feel is right or what's wrong? What's wrong with that?
I was never blinded by the American dream. I have my own dreams. You know what I'm saying? The Joey dream.
I'm a really humble person and I'm a really on-the-go person. For me, it's never that serious.
We're very far from harmony. The only thing that's going to bring world harmony has to be from the outside. It has to be external. It has to be us versus an external thing.
On tour things go wrong all the time, I mean that's live music, that's what it's all about. I think one of the things I'm learning is that when stuff goes wrong, really brilliant musicians have the ability to turn this into something interesting and unique. I think good people in any sphere of anything know how to deal with problems, how to take it in your stride. We are learning this by touring, by being put in these positions when we need to focus and deal with it.
Hate is a strong word. I don't really try to hate anything. Yeah, you could say I have a complicated, domestic relationship with America for sure.
The economic crisis really affected my family - 2006 to 2011 were really bad times. Almost everybody in my family lost their jobs.
Regardless of anything, my dad wants me to "get that piece of paper!" - degree over everything.
My parents split up when I was five, and that changed my life as well. I wasn't used to seeing them away from each other. I had to get used to seeing my dad without my mom. Those things affected the music that I make.
Yo, why can't I speak out and then have fun? Why can't I just be a human? Why can't I just do what I want? People just want to keep you in one type of box or lane.
My schedule has not calmed down, but I'm definitely not so devastated as I used to be. Definitely cooler now. A lot of blessings have fallen into my lap, and I'm very thankful to receive all of them.