Don’t leak rapper Joey You were an aspiring actor at Oh really? What are your plans for it? Badass’s new album. high school. What was your I’m just f*cking with you. I’m not Colourful and conscious – that’s He will kill you greatest role? that deep. how the clothes will look, anyway. I only did two plays before they Your character loves Seinfeld. Malia Obama wore a Pro Era Hey Joey. So your new album, kicked me out of drama. Every role Did you watch some to prepare? T-shirt recently... All-Amerikkkan Badass, is… I had was something sh*t. But it’s It’s a pretty cool show. Pretty That was like two years ago. Don’t send it to anybody, bro. all good because now I play Leon funny. If you really want to I’ll find you and kill you. ...is it true that the Secret Service in Mr Robot. know, all I did was go on YouTube followed you afterwards? Sorry? and watch some clips. I didn’t Mr Robot is about conspiracy Yeah bro. It’s so true. [Laughs] No, but seriously don’t theories and cyber-attacks. Has it even really watch it. Yeah I know, I suck. send it to anyone. influenced your thinking at all? What actually happened? They followed me, bro. Did you Erm, I haven’t... No. I actually think my thinking Your hip-hop collective Pro read the article? You don’t sound too sure. influenced the show. Era has its own clothing line. Seriously, if you send it to anyone, I did. There was a tree by your I’ll find you and I’ll kill you. home that suddenly disappeared? Is that right? OK. You’d have to find me in Yeah, yeah. Like lightning [laughs]. London, though. “I ’m That won’t be hard. I’m sorry, So the Secret Service actually it’s totally normal for me to cut down a tree to surveil you? threaten the writer before we Sh*t, I don’t know. Who said that? start the interview. Just in case enjoying this You did. In the New York Post. you didn’t know. Sh*t, they probably did do that. That’s OK. Really. Anyway! It’s That makes a lot of sense. a very political record… interview” Was it nice to find out an Obama It’s not though! It’s not political was a fan? at all. I’m not talking about It wasn’t too surprising because Democrats or Republicans. the music I make is real music. I hate politics. So I’d expect real people like Donald Trump’s name crops up the Obamas to dig it. I would’ve a few times, though... appreciated President Obama Just because I mention Donald shouting me out or something, Trump doesn’t mean it’s political. but it’s all good, he’s still lit. How many times do you hear his How would you feel if one of the name a day? It’s often nothing Trumps listened to your music? to do with politics. There are a lot of white people So what themes do you touch at a Joey Badass show, so on then? I wouldn’t be surprised if Donald I touch on the state of the country; Trump Jr listened to [track] the state of where we are in the Survival Tactics. I’d be like, ‘Great, world right now; human beings it’s some extra streams.’ I don’t from the perspective of my race care if it’s from some douchebag. and my place in the country. But it’s I’m enjoying this interview. really not about me. I’m standing in Are you? the middle, observing everything Yeah. I know it sounds like I’m around me. This is one of the not, I’m just in mad traffic and most corrupted countries in the sh*t. New York City traffic is history of the world. That’s why really frustrating. I replaced the ‘C’ in America with ‘KKK’ on this album. To Where are you? expose that corrupt side. On the Manhattan Bridge about to do 95. From your lyrics it’s clear Actually 120. So make that you’re well-schooled it snappy! Oh sh*t, it’s es in African-American TUR the police… ea history. What books F are you reading? OK, thanks Joey. Rex H: H: When I was making I promise not to ap R the album I was more send the album G HOTO inspired by lectures than to anyone. P books. If I had to name Please don’t. an TI two, though, it’d be The Remember, I will S HRI C Autobiography Of find you. Malcolm X and The lex : A : Philosophy & Opinions All-Amerikkkan Badass ds Of Marcus Garvey. is out 7 April WOR 8 WWW.SHORTLIST.COM.