Joey Bada$$ Says Trump Is Responsible For ‘More Uplifting’ Rap Music

Many musicians today have made their disdain for President Donald Trump known with their music, calling him out in songs and public appearances. But rapper Joey Bada$$ credits the president with one good thing.

A frequent critic of Trump, the Brooklyn rapper told CNN there was a “silver lining” in the presidency — an increase of “more uplifting” music. “The music has taken a shift now. I’m not the only artist that feels this way,” he said.

The “Devastated” rapper added, “Everyone is starting to feel somewhat responsible because we’re realizing the power that we have as individuals, as musicians, as people with high influence.” But for Joey, this is nothing new. “This is what I think about everyday… This is literally what I feel and what I’ve been dealing with since I was born.”

While the rapper credits Trump with the surge in uplifting music, his views on the country aren’t as positive. “People have to realize and wake up and notice that the country is not here to benefit everyone that’s living in it,” he said.

According to the “Land of the Free” rapper, the president has exposed racism in the United States. “[Trump] revealed that [racism] is still alive and well — that there’s still bigots out there. He exposed the bigotry that still exists in this country even after a black president.”

And while he’s “honored” to have lived through the presidency of Barack Obama, he feels people are now beginning to “wake up and confront the issues that are going on.” The rapper also feels that, in a way, “President Obama put black people to sleep.”

At 22 years old, Joey Bada$$ is preparing for the release of his second studio album, “All-Amerikkkan Bada$$,” which will feature the track, “Land of the Free.” On the song, Joey raps, “Sorry America, but I will not be your soldier / Obama just wasn’t enough, I just need some more closure / And Donald Trump is not equipped to take this country over.”