Joey Bada$$ On The Progression Of Pro Era
Over that time period, Pro Era has gone through a number of changes, most notably the loss of the influential Capital STEEZ to a reported suicide in December of 2012. But the young Flatbush collective has also grown in other ways, with more reps under their belts and the emergence of legitimate talents who can stand alongside Joey as individual artists in their own right. The first two songs they dropped from The Shift—"Hail Razor" featuring A La $ole, Dessy Hinds and CJ Fly, and "Extortion" featuring Kirk Knight and Dyemond Lewis—showcase that progression, with some of Pro Era's lesser-known spitters grabbing the spotlight with a vigor that promises big things to come.
Ahead of the release of The Shift, which can be streamed below, and with his own debut album, B4.Da.$$, on deck for the Fall, XXL spoke to Joey Bada$$ about the EP, his upcoming album, and the progression of Pro Era. Up next? World domination. —Dan Rys