Joey Bada$$ - B4.DA.$$

The debut studio album from Joey Bada$$, aka NYC hip hop prodigy Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott, arrives accompanied by such a substantial side of hysteria that it can be difficult to untangle the bluster from the substance. Two years is a lifetime in modern music, and the buzz has been growing since Bada$$ announced himself with astonishing composure on the epic ‘1999’ mixtape way back in 2012, before its creator had even celebrated his 18th birthday.

In terms of sound, ‘B4.DA.$$’ - which you’ll probably like to know is pronounced ‘Before Da Money’ - picks up where last year’s ‘Summer Knights’ tape left off, but while that release was a relative disappointment, it seems that the real stuff back was being held back for the first LP proper as Bada$$ jacks up the quality and sands off the rougher edges of a sound that has understandably still been in development. Featuring beats from a ridiculous roster of producers including DJ Premier, Hit-Boy and J Dilla as well as Bada$$’s pals in Brooklyn hip hop collective Pro Era, it’s a dense, layered ride.