Joey Badass Named New Artist in Residence at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute

Joey Badass has been appointed the latest artist in residence at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, making him one of the youngest individuals—at just 29 years old—to take on this role. On Tuesday, September 24, the university announced that the Brooklyn rapper, whose real name is Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott, will be conducting masterclasses and lectures this fall, covering topics such as music creation, songwriting, and aspects of film and television.

“I’m honored and humbled to be invited as the artist-in-residence at the Clive Davis Institute at NYU. I’m eager to share my experiences and insights with the students, and I know I’ll learn a lot from them too,” Badass stated, as reported by Variety. “I’m dedicated to fostering community across different sectors, and this is a wonderful step in that direction.”

Nicholas Sansano, chair of the Clive Davis Institute, expressed enthusiasm about Badass’s appointment, saying,

“We are thrilled to have Joey with us. We believe that the current economic model of the music industry doesn’t adequately support creatives in sustaining their income and relevance.”

He added, “Joey, as a multifaceted performer, songwriter, actor, and social advocate, can convey this very real message to our students with authentic credibility. Equally important is his commitment to mentoring and supporting the holistic wellness of emerging professionals.”

On the music front, Badass released “TELL ME” featuring Chlöe Bailey on September 13, adding to a series of collaborations this year, including tracks with IDK, Conway the Machine, KayCyy, and the Lyrical Lemonade posse cut “Fall Out.”

Although he hasn’t dropped a new album since 2022’s 2000, Badass has been active on screen, portraying Unique in “Power Book III: Raising Kanan,” though his character met an unfortunate end in season three. He’s also been involved in ImpactMENtorship, a program aimed at supporting men of color in the entertainment industry.