Waves Lyrics

[Intro: Joey Bada$$]
Yeah, you remember back in the days
When niggas used to rock waves and shit?
When like, yo, I had the fucking 360s, my nigga
Like nobody in the hood was fucking with my shit

And that's real shit

[Verse 1: Joey Bada$$]
Since '95 momma been working nine-five
And I know the landlord fed up with our lies
So we pray to the gods, the Jahs and the Allahs
To keep us safe and watch our lives

'Cause all we tryna do is do good
Put on my hood when I walk through hoods
'Cause these niggas these days is loco

You'll get it in ya vocals if you ain't a local
Yeah, that's why I'm tryna go global
Yeah, that's why I'm tryna be a mogul

And I'm hopeful that me spittin' it soulful
Will have me in the Daily Postal, flying coastal, eatin' tofu

Like I told you, I know niggas who trash rappin'
Worried bout the trendin' fashions rather than ascendin' passion

They want me send 'em tracks but I just send 'em laughter
Right after I start laughin', they start askin' "What happened?"
But back to the chapter
Momma told me "follow dreams", should never have to ask her to
So that’s what I do, became an MC master
Since then it’s been a disaster for you and your favorite rapper
Go ahead, ask 'em "Who is Joey Bad?"
Watch 'em gasp, asthma, damn, it’s so sad
He paused the chatter 'cause he know he rather back up

Than to admit the kid is hotter than magma
But fuck it, you gotta give credit where it's due
'Cause you ain't gon' like the karma when it's set up on you
It can get you on your medical, fuck you up in the decimals
Or get you 2 to 3 for residue found in your retinal

Uh, and they told me not to be so complex
Dumb it down to accomplish articles in Complex

And The Source — alfredo, of course
There I go again, steppin' out of line, runnin' off course

I heard reports that it's like sexual intercourse
With your thoughts when I talk about the shoes in which I walk

For it is not faux, nor false that this kid from the north
Speaks with forced supports of reinforced assaults
I'm sure by now you can assume he never lost
Unless with some form of divorce, or a corpse

Born boss, no days off, child labor
Let me see those in favor to spin that back like tornadoes
Yeah

[Outro]
Imagine, I'ma make it all happen
(Yeah, that's my boy)

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About

Genius Annotation

Joey borrowed this instrumental from the Freddie Joachim track also titled “Waves.”

This is the second song released from Joey BadA$$’s first solo project, “1999,” recorded when he was 17 years old. His performance of the song on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon netted the Brooklyn native significant publicity. It was released as a follow-up to his debut video, “Survival Tactics.” The second offering has BadA$$ spitkicking on family, tofu dreams, and having the illest waves in his hood over mellow swelling Rhodes tones and a funky bassline. If you rode out to “Survival Tactics,” cool out, relax and reminisce to this one. The project is being released by SOW the brainchild of Cinematic Music Group and Creative Control.tv
The beat was later sampled by J. Cole in his song “False Prophets”.
Follow Joey @joeybadass_. No days off… child labor. – via

This is the first official song from Joey Badass for sale on iTunes along with his single “Enter the Void.” Purchase those singles here.

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Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

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