Joey Bada$$ Blames His Record Label for Album Delay: ‘All They Do Is Get in My Way’

Joey Bada$$‘s upcoming album Lonely at the Top was supposed to arrive on Friday (Aug. 1), but the Brooklyn rhymer explained that the project has been delayed, and placed the blame on Columbia Records.

The 30-year-old took to Instagram Live on Tuesday (July 29) with a message letting his fans know that his album had been postponed and he blasted his record label, with whom he doesn’t appear to be on the same page.

“I’ma just rip the Band-Aid off,” he began in the video, which he also shared on his grid and tagging his label in the post. “The album is not dropping Aug. 1. I’m f—king sorry. I’m ashamed, I’m f—king disappointed. I wanted to take accountability and responsibility because I’m not ever gon’ leave y’all high and dry.”

Joey revealed he handed in his album a month ago and there are no issues on his end holding up the project.

“My s—t got pushed back because the label pushed my s—t back,” he claimed. “My album is signed, sealed and delivered over a month ago. This ain’t ‘cause of no sample clearances. This ain’t ‘cause of no features. This ain’t ‘cause of no clashing with another artist on the date. This is literally an Exhibit A of the label getting in the artist’s way … I’ve been moving on rogue time.”

The Mr. Robot actor appeared to give his label an ultimatum of Monday to “straighten up” before he takes action, which includes the possibility of eventually uploading his album to YouTube.

“I’m signed to Columbia Records, but for the longest time I just ain’t been f—king with them. All they do is get in my way,” Joey continued. “They really don’t f–king contribute to nothing, especially this year. I’m not sure if y’all know this, but all of my releases have been on YouTube. And it’s been that way because I ain’t got time to wait on nobody, bro. I’m way too f—king independent-minded and self-sufficient to sit around and wait for people who is not getting in line with the vision.”

Billboard has reached out to reps for Joey Bada$$ and Columbia Records for comment.

Joey Bada$$’s last album arrived with his 2000 LP in 2022. The rapper kicked off the Lonely at the Top rollout earlier in July with the release of his “ABK” single, which he performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! shortly after.

Find Joey’s full explanation below.