Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: hip-hop
Song Meaning of “Hardknock” by Joey Bada$$
“Hardknock” by Joey Bada$$ tells the story of a man who has faced a great deal of adversity, yet still is determined to make something of himself. The song starts out with a sample from the classic musical Annie, foreshadowing the idea that Joey has experienced a hard life, but one he plans to overcome. The line “hard knock life, it’s all just a hustle for cheese” emphasizes the idea that Joey only has to worry about looking out for himself, and he won’t let anything or anyone hold him back.
The song also speaks to the idea of making something of yourself either through illicit activities or through pure hard work. The lyrics “the type of life I live you don’t want it no more/we gon’ do it though, even if it mean we poppin’ nines for sure” suggest the harsh and dangerous environment one may find themselves in if they decide to take the path of crime. Conversely, Joey also speaks of the hard work it takes to make it in the rap game “tell me something, how you gon’ make it when the cards you’ve been dealt ain’t working out?/ Some say I’m just born to flow, I’m just tryin’ to figure out a way to show the world what I’m ’bout”.
By making this song, Joey underscores the idea that although life is unpredictable and often hard, it is up to each individual to take ownership of their own future and be the masters of their own destiny.