Joey Bada$$ will not release his new project, Lonely At The Top, on Friday, August 1, 2025. Instead, the project’s release remains in limbo due to a conflict between Joey Bada$$ and his record label, Columbia Records. Speaking to his fans via Instagram, the Raising Kanan actor claims there are no sample clearance issues or last-minute features being added. Rather, Joey Bada$$ says Columbia Records is getting in his way and fears the label will continue to push back the project’s release if he offers a new date to his fans.
“I’m signed to Columbia Records, but for the longest time, I just [haven’t] been f—g with them,” he said. “All they do is get in my way. They really don’t f—g contribute to [anything], especially this year. I’m not sure if y’all know this, but all of my releases have been on YouTube and it’s been that way because I ain’t got time to wait on nobody. Bro, I’m way too f—g independent-minded and self-sufficient to sit around and wait for people who [are] not getting in line with the vision.”
Joey Bada$$ and Columbia Records don’t appear to be inching toward a resolution either. In closing, the Brooklyn native said he’s giving his label until Monday before saying, “Free Joey!”
“F—k Columbia Records,” he said.
This is not the first time that Joey Bada$$ has pointed to issues with his label. During a recent interview with Gina Views and DJ Hed of Effective Immediately, Joey Bada$$ said that he had previously worked on a separate album, but pivoted to work on Lonely At The Top. As he pivoted, Joey Bada$$ explained that the budget he was given for Lonely At The Top was smaller than the one offered for the other project and that it wouldn’t be counted as an album under his deal.
Columbia Records has not issued a statement or public response to his comments.
