Joey Bada$$

He’s a 22-year-old politically-charged hitmaker, whose carefully worded, confident social critiques are re-writing the rules of hip-hop. Illusive Presents and Frontier Touring are thrilled to announce a tour by Brooklyn rap protégé Joey Bada$$, who will head to Australia and New Zealand in January 2018.

The ‘Temptation’ and ‘Devastated’ rapper kicks off his tour with an exclusive date in Auckland, before landing down under for three special headline dates at Brisbane’s Eatons Hill Hotel, Perth’s Metro City and Sydney’s Enmore Theatre. While in Australia he’ll also be appearing at Melbourne’s most acclaimed boutique festival, Sugar Mountain.

Fresh from the release of his second studio album ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ (out now through Cinematic Music Group/Pro Era Records), Bada$$ has received serious acclaim for his raw, original sound. Featuring the likes of ScHoolboy Q, Styles P and J.Cole, ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ is an open letter to America: tracks such as ‘For My People’ and ‘Land of The Free’ see Bada$$ magnifying the nation’s flaws in hopes of prescribing solutions to remedy the issues at hand, leaving fans and critics impressed:

‘It’s concise and straight-to-the-point, with no signs of over-indulgence. In short, it’s the album fans of the New York rapper always knew he was capable of making.’ – Line Of Best Fit

‘Bada$$ is no longer just a kid inspired by early ’90s hip-hop trying to out rap a never-ending army of whack MCs. Now he’s a self-assured adult who is using his art to examine the world around him.’ – Consequence Of Sound

‘ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ is a needed hip-hop album in 2017’ – Hip Hop DX

‘His new record, released on anniversary of STEEZ’s lone mixtape AmeriKKKan Korruption, stands out in Joey’s catalogue not just because of its overt socio-political context, but how it’s buttressed by his growth’ – SPIN

Breakthrough single and centrepiece of 2012’s debut mixtape 1999, ‘Survival Tactics’ showcased Bada$$ as a prodigious MC with a strong vision. Starting his career as the founding member of Brooklyn hip-hop collective Pro Era, Bada$$ has maintained a unique and versatile sound, taking risks on his debut LP B4.da.$$ and in songs such as ‘Front & Centre’, ’95 Til Infinity’, ‘Ready’ and ‘My Yout (feat. Maverick Sabre)’.

Featured in Forbes magazine in campaigns for Adidas and Calvin Klein, he’s screened on TVs as part of the cast for Mr. Robot, and is a true family man – recently surprising his mum with a brand new Range Rover (watch here!).

Easily one of the USA’s most auspicious rappers, these shows will be fans’ only chance to catch the hip-hop marvel live – don’t miss out!