PHOTOS from Joey Bada$$ at Blue Note New York

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.

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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.