Joey Bada$$ x Troy Ave

Yesterday morning, Troy Ave released a diss track to Joey Bada$$, and many say he crossed the line when he threw a shot at Joey‘s deceased group member, Capital STEEZ. STEEZ committed suicide in 2012 after a serious battle with depression – something Troy feels makes them “suckas forever.”

He first shared his thoughts on Instagram in multiple posts, then called in to Sway In The Morning to explain further.

“This is real versus fake. This is the dealer verses the user,” he said. “I was like aight, I could bust his head or I could make a song. Or both. Depends how I feel.”

Marisa Mendez: Twitter || Instagram

Ave continued:

“He didn’t pass away. He killed himself. There’s a difference. God gave you life, it ain’t your right to take that. That’s a fact. I got niggas in jail who got life sentences, they might as well be dead. They could’ve traded their life for his…your friends speak to your character. I got friends that’s killing shit, his friends are killing themselves. We not on the same level. Don’t play with me.”

What’s sad is, he’s one of many who feel this way. Men, especially in urban communities, are taught that dealing with something like depression is a sign of weakness. Men are told to “man up” and “stop being in [their] feelings,” thus breeding the exact attitude that Troy is exhibiting. It’s a sad reality, and we need to really bring awareness to this, because depression is a MENTAL ILLNESS, and this is why therapy is so important…