Joey Bada$$ to release “Lonely At The Top” album on August 1

Joey Bada$$ announces “Lonely At The Top” album

Joey Bada$$ is making a bold return to the spotlight, blending lyrical warfare with personal growth in a way few rappers manage. The Brooklyn-born emcee has officially announced that his fourth studio album, Lonely At The Top, will be released on August 1, 2025. To give fans a taste of what’s to come, he also dropped a fiery new single, “ABK” — short for Anybody Killa — setting the stage for a heavy-hitting new chapter in his already storied career.

Joey’s been active in hip-hop for over a decade, but 2025 finds him at a pivotal moment: older, wiser, more strategic, and more focused than ever. As he juggles battles on the mic and milestones in his personal life, Lonely At The Top aims to showcase the evolution of a rap veteran who’s still hungry to prove his dominance.

The Firestarter: “ABK” Sets the Tone

“ABK” is not just a single—it’s a statement. Joey uses the track to reassert himself as a lyrical force in today’s competitive hip-hop landscape. The beat is intense and stripped-down, allowing his bars to hit even harder. Produced by longtime collaborator Kirk Knight, the instrumental complements Joey’s aggressive delivery and slick rhyme schemes perfectly.

Lyrically, the track takes aim at rivals—particularly on the West Coast—who’ve challenged his lyrical supremacy. Earlier this year, Joey found himself in a feud with several rappers, including Ray Vaughn of Top Dawg Entertainment. While he never explicitly names all of his targets, the jabs in “ABK” are sharp, direct, and leave little to the imagination.

He raps:

“They thought I was light work, so they sent their little mans to kill me / Thought it might work — all 2025, I hit ’em where it might hurt.”

That’s the Joey Bada$$ fans have come to expect: calculated, unflinching, and razor-sharp.

Live from Late Night: Jimmy Kimmel Performance

Joey made waves with a surprise live debut of “ABK” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on July 16. Introduced by country-rap star and guest host Jelly Roll, the performance was intense and symbolic. Joey stood at a podium styled like a political press conference, flanked by an American flag and booming speakers, turning the late-night stage into his lyrical battleground.

His delivery was flawless, full of raw emotion and conviction. Fans online praised the performance for its clarity, message, and stage presence. Many believe it’s one of the strongest rap performances on television this year, and a perfect way to promote both the single and the upcoming album.

The Album: Lonely At The Top (Coming August 1)

Joey’s upcoming album Lonely At The Top marks his fourth full-length studio project, following:

• B4.Da.$$ (2015)
• All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ (2017)
• 2000 (2022)

Each of these albums served as a snapshot of Joey’s journey—from teenage prodigy to political commentator, and now to a fully evolved artist reflecting on success, solitude, and legacy.

The title Lonely At The Top suggests a more introspective theme. Joey is not just chasing acclaim—he’s examining what it means to be successful in a space that’s constantly shifting. How do you stay grounded when you’ve “made it,” but the stakes are still high? Who do you trust when everyone wants a piece of you?

This is the sort of nuanced exploration fans are expecting from the album. And if “ABK” is any indication, Lonely At The Top will have both high-energy battle raps and reflective storytelling.

Career Roots: From “1999” to Rap Royalty

Joey Bada$$ first burst onto the scene in 2012 with 1999, a mixtape that quickly became a cult classic. The project turned heads for its nostalgic boom-bap production, raw confidence, and surprisingly mature lyricism. At just 17 years old, he was already being compared to East Coast legends like Nas and Mos Def.

In 2022, 2000 was released as a reflective sequel to 1999. It featured smoother production, maturity in subject matter, and a self-assured delivery that proved Joey had evolved. Now, in 2025, Lonely At The Top arrives as a culmination of everything he’s built—an album for those who’ve followed the journey and those just tuning in.

Feuds and Fire: The West Coast Tension

Rap beef has always been a part of hip-hop’s DNA, and Joey’s recent feud with artists from the West Coast has added fuel to the fire. The drama started earlier in the year when Joey posted cryptic lines online and threw lyrical shots in freestyles, seemingly aimed at Top Dawg Entertainment affiliates.

The tension escalated when Ray Vaughn responded, prompting even more exchanges. Though Joey hasn’t named names in interviews, his bars make it clear who the targets are. “ABK” might not be the last we hear of this feud—more tracks from Lonely At The Top could continue the conversation.

Still, this isn’t clout-chasing. For Joey, battle rap is part of his core identity. He sees competition as a necessary pressure that brings out the best in artists—and he’s clearly rising to the occasion.

Life Beyond the Music: Family and Fatherhood

In the middle of all the album promo and lyrical combat, Joey Bada$$ has had a major personal milestone: he and his fiancée, Serayah, recently welcomed their first child together. While Joey has a daughter from a previous relationship, this marks a new beginning for the couple as they build their family.

Serayah first revealed the pregnancy at New York Fashion Week earlier this year, walking the Adore Me runway with her baby bump proudly on display. The moment quickly went viral and sparked congratulations from fans across social media.

In a joint interview earlier this year, Joey and Serayah expressed excitement about becoming parents together and spoke about wanting to create a stable, intentional environment for their growing family.

Joey has said in the past that fatherhood changed the way he views life—and fans are curious to see how that influence shapes the themes on Lonely At The Top.

What to Expect from the Album

While the full tracklist hasn’t been revealed, fans are speculating about potential collaborations. Frequent collaborators like Kirk Knight, CJ Fly, and even Capital STEEZ’s legacy may play a role. Joey tends to keep his inner circle tight, which often leads to focused and cohesive albums.

You can also expect a mix of battle rap, boom-bap influences, and socially conscious storytelling. His discography has always blended personal experience with cultural critique, and this project will likely follow suit.

Expect songs that speak to:

• The cost of fame
• Navigating trust and loyalty
• New responsibilities as a father
• Standing tall amid public conflict

Joey Bada$$ Is Just Getting Started

As Lonely At The Top approaches its August 1 release, Joey Bada$$ is poised for one of the most impactful moments of his career. With “ABK,” he’s made it clear that he’s still a top-tier lyricist with something to say.

The upcoming album represents more than just music—it’s a chapter in the life of a man growing, evolving, and reflecting in real time. Fans can expect an honest, intense, and skillfully crafted project that explores what it really means to be at the top—and why sometimes, that place can feel the loneliest.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Joey for the first time, Lonely At The Top is shaping up to be a must-listen moment in hip-hop this year.