Joey Badass is letting fans in on an example of “the fucking battles that get fought in the shadows” by artists.
On Instagram, Joey, who was slated to release his new album this Friday, Aug. 1, opted to “just rip the Band-Aid off” by announcing that the release had been pushed back. After an apology to fans and some candid remarks about not personally being “the best” at “sticking to dates and shit like that” in the past, the Mr. Robot alum pointed to what he says is the problem with his latest would-be release.
“My shit got pushed back because the label pushed my shit back,” Joey said, as seen below. “My album is signed, sealed, and delivered over a month ago. This ain’t ‘cause of no sample clearances. This ain’t ‘cause of no features. This ain’t ‘cause of no clashing with another artist on the date. This is literally an Exhibit A of the label getting in the artist’s way.”
These days, Joey said, he’s operating on “rogue time,” a perspective he connected to the recent YouTube-only availability of the bulk of his string of new tracks in 2025. According to Joey, this too stems from his current label issues.
“I’m signed to Columbia records but for the longest time I just ain’t been fucking with them,” he told fans on Tuesday. “All they do is get in my way. They really don’t fucking contribute to nothing, especially this year. I’m not sure if y’all know this but all of my releases have been on YouTube. And It’s been that way because I ain’t got time to wait on nobody, bro. I’m way too fucking independent-minded and self-sufficient to sit around and wait for people who is not getting in line with the vision. I refuse to do it.”
Moving forward, Joey has set a deadline for the label to take action on their end. If this doesn’t happen, Joey said he’s planning to release the entire album, titled Lonely at the Top, to YouTube.
“These motherfuckers got ’til Monday to straighten up,” Joey who later tucked in a quick “Fuck Columbia Records,” said. “I’m giving them until Monday. That’s me being generous. Columbia Records, y’all got ’til Monday to straighten up.”
Complex has reached out to reps for Joey and Columbia for comment. This story may be updated.
In the meantime, hear Joey’s recently released new single “ABK” below. Earlier this month, he brought the track to the Jimmy Kimmel Live! stage.
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