Brooklyn-born rapper and actor Joey Bada$$ has dropped a powerful visual for his single “Land of the Free,” a song that speaks to America’s multiple ills, including racism, poverty and our current president. Directed by Nathan Smith and co-directed by Mr. Bada$$ himself, the video begins on a hopeful note with the Brooklyn rapper talking to a group of children. The scene eventually shifts to a desert setting, where a line of black men and women whose hands are chained are shot down one by one by white law enforcement agents.
The single will be included Bada$$’s sophomore album, All-AmeriKKKan Bada$$, which will be released on April 7th through Cinematic Music Group/Pro Era Records. The video is his second visual from the album, which was kicked off in August 2016 with the visual for “Devasted,” his first gold single.
His choice to focus on America’s struggles as a nation are a move in a different direction for the Brooklyn rapper and member of the Pro Era collective, who said in an October 2016 interview that All-AmeriKKKan Bada$$ will reflect a more political tone than prior efforts.
That said, Bada$$, who has sited Tupac Shakur as his hero, has touched on black struggle in the United States in prior releases, including “Like Me,” a single from his album B4.DA.$$ that addresses police brutality in black communities.
In the midst of a very busy year, Bada$$ last week announced the name of his album, finally revealing the full title behind the acronym “AABA.” As well, he dropped a trailer for the highly-anticipated album and also sat down with Genius to break down the lyrics for “Land of the Free.”
He’s also coming off opening for Schoolboy Q’s “Blank Face” tour, and recently appeared in the award-winning TV drama, “Mr. Robot”
Check out the dope visuals for his new video “Land of the Free”as well as as other visuals related to the album.
