By Mat Katz
originally published: 09/17/2026
(NEW YORK, NY) -- Hip-hop artist Joey Bada$$ performed at Blue Note New York on September 5, 2026 and photographer Mat Katz was on hand to take photos. Few rap artists have been as instrumental in keeping hip-hop alive as Joey Bada$$.
Since unloading his breakout mixtape, 1999, the East Flatbush-raised artist has been at the center of boom-bap lore for more than a decade. In the process, Joey has established himself as a compelling storyteller in the culture at large. Before he had a legacy to contemplate, Joey was born and raised Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott in Brooklyn. He attended Edward R. Murrow High School – a school dedicated to the arts – for two years before dropping out to pursue a rap career. While there, he founded the rap collective Pro Era alongside Powers Pleasant, CJ Fly, and late rapper Capital Steez.
Joey went on to develop a successful solo career, proven repeatedly through a series of EPs and genre-defying albums: 2015’s B4.Da.$$, 2017’s ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$, 2020’s 2000, and his latest offering Lonely At The Top(2025).
Beyond music, Joey is still pushing forward and continuing to raise the bar, branching into acting, where he’s best known for his role as “Unique” in Power Book III: Raising Kanan. He’s also become a familiar face in the philanthropic world, underscored by his reverence for advocacy and social impact with the creation of ImpactMENtorship.
At just 30 years old, Joey’s prestige has grown considerably. He recently participated as the Artist-In-Residence for NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, and is now gearing up for his next Artist-In-Residence at Columbia University’s Edmund W. Gordon Institute.
The Brooklyn native was honored by Mayor Eric Adams with the proclamation of December, 20, 2024, as Joey Bada$$ Day. Now, with new opportunities on the horizon, the Oscar-winning actor, artist, philanthropist, and style icon continues to empower the next generation while creating impact beyond visibility.
Since 1981, Blue Note has been a cultural institution in New York City and one of the premiere jazz clubs in the world. Owner and founder Danny Bensusan had a vision to create a jazz club in Greenwich Village that would treat deserving artists with respect, while allowing patrons to see the world’s finest jazz musicians in a close, comfortable setting. The venue is located at 131 W. 3rd Street in New York City.
You can follow Joey Bada$$ on his socials: Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, Soundcloud, and Spotify.
Here are more photos from the concert.
Mat Katz is a sports and live music photographer and graphic designer based in New Jersey. He currently works with the NBA while also covering live music. His photography and design work has also included the Brooklyn Nets, MLS, and WVU Football. You can view his portfolio here and follow him on Instagram.
Mat Katz is a sports and live music photographer and graphic designer based in New Jersey. He currently works with the NBA while also covering live music. His photography and design work has also included the Brooklyn Nets, MLS, and WVU Football. You can view his portfolio here. He's on Instagram a href=https://www.instagram.com/katz.visuals>@katz.visuals.
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Will Hoge
Thursday, September 17, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ
Will Hoge has a career whose milestones include Number One hits, Grammy nods, major-label record deals, and hard-won independence. Years before Americana music received its own category at the Grammy Awards, Hoge was on the frontlines, helping to pilot and popularize the genre's blend of American roots music. In the current digital era dominated by influencers seeking shortcuts to stardom, Will Hoge proudly treads the scenic route, immersing himself in the journey rather than fixating on the destination.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 35mm
Thursday, September 17, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ
Raised in the sewers of New York, bathed in radioactive ooze, and trained in the art of ninjutsu by their rat sensei Splinter, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael – are heroes in a half shell!
The Rascals 60th Anniversary Tour
Thursday, September 17, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ
Celebrate 60 years of The Rascals featuring original frontman Felix Cavaliere. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, Grammy Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame and Songwriter Hall of Fame members, The Rascals are widely considered the best “blue-eyed soul” group to come out of the 1960s and their music is the soundtrack of a generation. The Rascals have 17 Top 20 hits, seven Top 10 hits, and three No.1 hits that include “Groovin’,” “People Got To Be Free” and “Good Lovin’.”
ADVANCED EVENTS
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EVENT PREVIEWS
LOVERULES at Rutgers Shines the Spotlight on a Jersey-Born Artist and Activist
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, the largest exhibition of art by Hank Willis Thomas in New Jersey to date, runs from September 17 to December 20, 2026 in the Voorhees Gallery of Zimmerli Art Museum.
Twenty-fifth Season of Westminster Conservatory Noontime Recitals Opens on September 17th
(LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ) -- On Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 12:15pm, the 25th season of Westminster Conservatory at Nassau will open with a recital of music for solo piano by Korean composers. The performer, Eunju Kim, is a member of the teaching faculty of Westminster Conservatory. The recital will take place in the Niles Chapel of Nassau Presbyterian Church (61 Nassau Street) in Princeton. It is open to the public free of charge.
The Newton Theatre presents Molly Tuttle on September 17th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Molly Tuttle on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. Molly is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and virtuosic guitarist whose innovative blend of bluegrass, Americana, pop, and rock has made her one of the most dynamic artists in modern roots music.
SOPAC's Herb + Milly Iris Gallery Presents unveiled26, Celebrating the Artists of the 23rd Annual Studio Tour SOMA
(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) presents unveiled26, an exhibition featuring works by artists from South Orange and Maplewood, opening Thursday, September 17, at the Herb + Milly Iris Gallery. The exhibition will remain on view through November 8, 2026.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Will Hoge on September 17th
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Will Hoge on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Hoge has a career whose milestones include Number One hits, Grammy nods, major-label record deals, and hard-won independence.
PEAK Performances welcomes A.I.M by Kyle Abraham with White Space on September 17th
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- PEAK Performances at Montclair State University welcomes acclaimed choreographer Kyle Abraham and his celebrated contemporary dance company A.I.M for White Space, a haunting new evening-length work, co-commissioned by PEAK Performances, coming to Montclair State University on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 7:30pm.
Lighthouse International Film Society presents a screening of "Ask E. Jean" on September 17th
(LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ) -- The Lighthouse International Film Society presents a screening of Ask E. Jean on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is director Ivy Meeropol's acclaimed new documentary about journalist, author and legendary advice columnist E. Jean Carroll.
Collingswood Community Theater presents Musical Comedy Cabaret on September 18th
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- Collingswood Community Theater presents Musical Comedy Cabaret on Friday, September 18, 2026 in the Collingswood Grand Ballroom. The event begins at 7:30pm. This is a fundraiser for the company.
The Barn Theatre presents "The Last Virginity Tour"
(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- The Barn Theatre presents The Last Virginity Tour weekends from September 18 to October 4, 2026. Four women in a retirement community meet weekly for their baking club. But instead of swapping recipes, they share stories about their "first time," inspiring one of them to plan a road trip revisiting where they each lost their virginity.
Chatham Players present "The Thanksgiving Play"
(CHATHAM, NJ) -- Chatham Players present The Thanksgiving Play weekends from September 18 to October 3, 2026. Good intentions collide with absurd assumptions in Larissa FastHorse’s wickedly funny satire.
