The following is a photo essay I created for the Daily Californian. The photo essay covers rapper Joey Bada$$ in concert at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on June 25, 2022 in support of his recently-released album 2000.

Content warning: Mention of suicide

A decade after the release of his critically acclaimed debut mixtape 1999, Brooklyn rapper Joey Bada$$ embarked on a cross-country summer tour to promote the long awaited sequel to 1999, the album 2000. Joey Bada$$ wore a nondescript outfit consisting of a sweatshirt bearing his logo, gray sweatpants and dark sunglasses. His simple attire accentuated a shimmering gold pendant dancing on his chest, fashioned in the likeness of friend and collaborator Capital Steez, who committed suicide in 2012.

Joey Bada$$ took the audience on a musical tour through his entire discography, culminating in songs from his most recent album. Throughout the concert, an image of the late Steez graced the screen behind the stage. Fans danced and rapped along to the familiar words of Bada$$’ hit songs in a triumphant celebration of Bada$$’ monumental success exactly one decade after his close friend’s tragic passing.