Joey Badass has kicked off triple j’s Like A Version 2018 with one of the most original tracks in recent memory. In town for a headline tour along with an appearance at Sugar Mountain Festival, the 22-year-old rapper stopped by the triple j studios to reinvent a Prince classic.
Hailed the biggest Like A Version in history, complete with a ten-member band and full purple lighting, Joey adapted Prince’s When Doves Cry into a soulful, rap-heavy tune re-titled When Thugs Cry.
The tune isn’t so much a cover as a new track with Prince sampled. After the beautiful performance, Joey revealed he’d been sitting on When Thugs Cry for some time—in fact, it was supposed to end up on his 2017 album All-AmeriKKKan Bada$$, but they weren’t able to clear the Prince sample.
Joey then thanked presenters Ben and Liam for giving him the opportunity to share the song regardless. We’re joining in the thanks, because this track is bloody lovely.
The rapper, singer and Mr. Robot actor has certainly set the bar high. If this is how Like A Version is beginning for 2018, it looks like we’ve got a great year ahead.
Image: triple j