BROOKLYN, NY — At just 17, he lit the underground on fire. Now at 30, Joey Bada$$, born Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott, stands as one of hip-hop’s most respected modern lyricists — a rapper-turned-actor-turned-activist who carries the golden-era torch with fierce pride and generational intent.

 From Flatbush to the Frontline

Born on January 20, 1995, in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, Joey was raised by a Saint Lucian mother and Jamaican father — the first American-born child in his family. He grew up in Flatbush and Bed-Stuy, neighborhoods with deep hip-hop roots, absorbing the essence of Nas, Biggie, and Black Star.

Initially enrolled at Edward R. Murrow High School to study acting, Joey’s path quickly shifted. By ninth grade, he had traded scripts for rhyme books and adopted the moniker JayOhVee, eventually transforming into Joey Bada$$ — a name that would soon shake the underground scene.

 The Birth of Pro Era & a Mixtape Classic

In 2011, Joey co-founded the Pro Era collective with high school friends, including the visionary Capital Steez. The group's ethos? Independence, lyrical precision, and East Coast reverence.

Then came 1999. Released in June 2012, Joey’s debut mixtape didn’t just turn heads — it turned the tide. With vintage boom-bap beats and mature, philosophical bars, 1999 became a modern classic. From “Waves” to “Survival Tactics,” the project felt like a lost '90s gem unearthed by a teenage oracle.

He followed the buzz with Rejex (2012) and Summer Knights (2013), showcasing increasing versatility while doubling down on his Pro Era brotherhood.

 Albums That Echoed Through Billboard Charts

Joey’s debut studio album B4.DA.$$ dropped on January 20, 2015 — his 20th birthday — via Cinematic Music Group. It debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, a stunning feat for an artist still steering his career independently. The album featured production from DJ Premier, Statik Selektah, and even live instrumentation from The Roots.

His sophomore effort, All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ (2017), was a bold leap. Merging activism with artistry, the LP tackled racism, police brutality, and black identity with anthems like “Land of the Free.” It, too, debuted at No. 5, cementing Joey’s voice as both poetic and political.

In 2022, after a five-year hiatus, he returned with 2000, a spiritual sequel to 1999. Though delayed by sample clearance issues, the album featured Diddy, Chris Brown, and Westside Gunn, while the accompanying “1999-2000 Tour” reminded fans why Joey is still one of the most potent stage performers of his generation.

 Scene Stealer: Joey on Screen

But Joey Bada$$ isn’t just bars. In 2016, he made his acting debut as “Leon” in USA’s Mr. Robot, a role that revealed an unexpectedly natural screen presence. His acting résumé has since grown to include Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga and Power Book III: Raising Kanan, where his performance recently earned him his first BET Awards nomination.

 Beyond the Booth: Education & Empowerment

Joey’s commitment extends far beyond music and film. Named Artist-in-Residence at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute, he launched ImpactMENtorship, an initiative offering free career guidance to young men of color. He’s also donated to Brooklyn schools and frequently speaks to youth about discipline, legacy, and self-worth.

 2025 & Beyond: Legacy in Motion

This year has been a whirlwind for the multifaceted artist. In January 2025, he reignited the coast-to-coast energy with the track “The Ruler’s Back,” a lyrical gauntlet challenging the West Coast. Rather than chaos, it inspired a lyrical resurgence, proving Joey still influences the pulse of hip-hop culture.

In May 2025, Joey and fiancée Serayah announced they’re expecting their first child together — a baby boy. The rapper already has a daughter from a previous relationship and has openly discussed moving from polyamory toward monogamy, calling fatherhood his greatest motivator.

 An Emblem of Hip-Hop Integrity

In a time where trends come and go, Joey Bada$$ remains rooted in substance. A child of the golden era, an actor of growing acclaim, and a community figure reshaping mentorship, he has emerged as a cultural vanguard for the next generation.