"The Ruler's Back," per Joey Bada$$ on Surprise New Single

Marking only his fourth studio cut since 2022.

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Since dropping off his third studio project 2000 back in 2022, Joey Bada$$ has been rather lowkey with his solo releases. Signaling only his fourth studio single since the album is “The Ruler’s Back,” a surprise new single Bada$$ took to Instagram to share.

Not yet available on DSPs, “The Ruler’s Back” is a charged new cut that finds the rapper delivering heavy-hitting bars over a Conductor Williams beat led by a retro soul sample.

“I was sittin’ back, watchin’ from a eagle eye / Tryin’ not to react, just give me one reason / I swear, I’m on full attack, East Coast n**** ’til I die / It’s clear who the heir apparent king of NY, n****,” he spits at the end of the first verse.

Since 2000‘s release, Bada$$ has dropped off “Fallin’,” “Passportrs & Suitcases” with KayCyy and “TELL ME” with Chlöe and has also appeared on singles from Erick the Architect, Conway the Machine, IDK, BLK ODYSSY, Cordae and Powers Pleasant.

For Christmas, the rapper teamed up with Greg Yuna for the jeweler’s holiday campaign, the two recreating the infamous limo scene from Home Alone 2.

At the time of writing, “The Ruler’s Back” has still not yet made its way over to streaming services, but listen to the track in the music video above.

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Elaina Bernstein
Elaina Bernstein Editor

Elaina Lauren Bernstein is a New York-based writer and editor, overseeing Hypebeast's music vertical, Hypetrak. She handles both editorial and social coverage for Hypetrak, and served as the Deputy Editor for Summer 2025's Hypetrak Magazine — the first in 10 years. With a particular affinity for underground hip hop, she has racked up a wide range of interviews and cover stories, spanning A$AP Rocky, Larry June, Shaboozey, Leon Thomas, Rihanna, Brent Faiyaz, Jean Dawson, and Miguel, and has covered major music tentpole events including the Grammys and Coachella. The intersection of fashion and music guides her coverage as well.

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