Joey Bada$$ tries to live up to his name by punching a 20-year-old security guard in the face up at Falls Festival, Byron Bay. The upcoming rapper allegedly punched a man in the face before going up on stage, after which he was promptly arrested. Charged with assault, he was refused bail and spent the night in jail. He’s received permission to complete his tour – Southbound Fest and sideshows with Run The Jewels in Sydney and Melbourne, but is set to appear in Byron Bay Local Court on March 19.
His bad behaviour didn’t end there. Several accounts have emerged (including this one) about how, during his Falls sets, he encouraged women to get naked, singling them out in what could only be an uncomfortable, inappropriate manner. Not cool, Bada$$, not cool. The security are only doing their job, and women shouldn’t need to feel threatened or exposed simply because they like your music. We don’t need to get naked just because you’re an “artist” and you ask us to.
This is all very disappointing. Let’s hope this guy learns that violence and sexual indecency aren’t cool, and certainly not the way to gain fans.
Anyway, his debut album B4.DA.$$ comes out on Jan 20. Hopefully Run The Jewels, who we recently spoke to about their respect for women, will teach him a thing or two during their joint headline sets this weekend.