It was late 2024 when players jumping into The Finals noticed something different about the soundscape of their high-octane, destructible arenas. If you were playing Embark Studios' chaotic shooter, you likely heard the smooth, gritty flow of Brooklyn’s own Joey Bada$$. This wasn't just some background noise or a licensed track thrown in to fill space. It was a deliberate collision of two very different vibes: the clinical, futuristic "game show" aesthetic of the game and the raw, boom-bap energy of 90s-inspired hip-hop.
Music in gaming is usually an afterthought. Seriously. Most devs just buy a library of cinematic swells. But the The Finals Joey Bada$$ collaboration felt like a genuine moment for the community. It wasn't just a song; it was a vibe check for a game that was trying to find its soul in a crowded market of battle royales and hero shooters.
The Track That Changed the Arena
The song at the center of this was "LEAKED," a track that perfectly mirrors the frantic pace of the game. It’s funny, actually. You have this game where buildings are literally collapsing around you, and then you have Joey’s voice—cool, collected, and precise. It creates this weirdly satisfying tension. Embark Studios didn't just pick a popular artist for the sake of clout. They picked someone whose lyricism matches the high-skill floor of the game itself.
Joey Bada$$ has always been about technical proficiency. Since 1999, he’s been the guy who cares about every syllable. The Finals is a game for people who care about every bullet and every movement. It’s a "sweaty" game, and Joey is a rapper’s rapper. The synergy was there, even if it seemed left-field at first glance.
Why Hip-Hop Fits The Finals Better Than EDM
Most shooters default to heavy metal or generic techno. It’s the safe bet. It gets the blood pumping. But The Finals is structured as a televised competition. It’s got commentators, sponsors, and a crowd. It’s sports. And what music is more intrinsically linked to modern sports culture and streetwear than hip-hop?
By bringing Joey Bada$$ into the mix, Embark signaled that they weren't just making a sci-fi game; they were making a cultural product. The integration wasn't limited to a menu track, either. We saw the influence bleed into the aesthetic of the Season 4 rollout, where the "Sponsorship" theme took center stage.
The Cultural Impact on the Player Base
Honestly, most gamers are tired of the same three pop stars appearing in every single crossover event. We’ve seen enough "concerts" in-game to last a lifetime. What made the The Finals Joey Bada$$ moment feel authentic was the lack of pretension. It wasn't an "event" you had to attend at 3:00 PM on a Tuesday. It was an atmospheric shift.
It brought a different demographic to the game. Suddenly, people who weren't necessarily "sweaty gamers" were checking out the soundtrack on Spotify and realizing, "Wait, this game actually has taste." It’s about building a brand that feels premium.
Breaking Down the "LEAKED" Aesthetic
If you listen closely to the production on "LEAKED," there’s a certain digital grit to it. It sounds like it belongs in a world where everything is a simulation.
- The Bass: Deep, oscillating, and aggressive.
- The Flow: Joey uses a staccato delivery that mimics the rhythm of a submachine gun.
- The Lyrics: While not explicitly about gaming, lines about "leaking" information and staying ahead of the competition fit the meta-narrative of the game perfectly.
It’s subtle. That’s the key. If he were rapping about "capturing the cashout," it would have been cringe. Instead, it was just good music that happened to fit the mood of a high-stakes heist.
What This Says About Embark Studios
Embark is a studio founded by industry veterans who seem bored with the status quo. You can tell. From the way the destruction works to the way they handle their audio, they’re taking risks. Partnering with a New York legend like Joey Bada$$ shows they aren't looking at what’s trending on TikTok today; they’re looking at what has longevity.
Joey isn't a flash-in-the-pan artist. He’s someone who has maintained relevance for over a decade by being consistently good. That’s a hell of a statement for a relatively new game to make. They’re saying, "We’re here for the long haul."
Misconceptions About the Collaboration
Some people thought this was the start of a massive "skin" line where you could play as Joey Bada$$. That didn't happen, and honestly, it’s probably for the best. The Finals has a very specific art style—those sleek, faceless contestants. Adding a realistic celebrity model would have broken the immersion of the "simulation."
This was a sonic collaboration, not a visual one. It was about the feeling of the game. People often forget that sound design is 50% of the experience in a competitive shooter. If the music doesn't hype you up before the round starts, the game has failed.
How to Lean Into the Vibe
If you’re a fan of the game and the music, there’s actually a way to make the most of this aesthetic. It sounds nerdy, but it works.
- Adjust your audio settings. Turn the music volume up to about 80% during the menus. The transition from the Joey Bada$$ vibes into the silence of the arena is a mental reset that helps focus.
- Check the Season 4 playlist. Don't just stop at the main theme. There are several tracks influenced by this "gritty-glamour" hip-hop style that make the game feel much more grounded than your average sci-fi shooter.
- Explore the Pro Era catalog. If you liked what you heard in the game, go back to Joey’s BEDA$$ or 2000 albums. It’s the perfect background music for grinding out ranked matches.
The Future of Music in The Finals
The The Finals Joey Bada$$ partnership set a precedent. We’re likely to see more "curated" artists rather than just "popular" ones. Imagine a season themed around UK Drill or Japanese Lo-Fi. The "Game Show" format allows for these radical shifts in tone every few months, which keeps the game from feeling stale.
It’s a smart move. It keeps the community talking and it keeps the game appearing in Google Discover feeds and social media trends without having to spend millions on traditional advertising. It’s organic. It’s cool. It’s exactly what the genre needed.
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Actionable Steps for Players and Fans
To truly appreciate the intersection of hip-hop and competitive gaming, you should do more than just listen.
- Sync your gameplay: Record your best clips (the wipes, the environmental kills) and sync them to the beat of "LEAKED." You'll realize how much the game's internal clock actually matches the rhythm of the track.
- Support the artist: Joey Bada$$ took a gamble on a new IP. Following his work beyond the game helps ensure these kinds of collaborations continue to happen.
- Monitor the soundtrack updates: Embark tends to hide small audio cues and new tracks in mid-season updates. Keep your ears open for more Pro Era influences in the coming patches.
The era of boring, corporate-approved gaming soundtracks is hopefully coming to an end. When a game like The Finals chooses to lead with style and substance over generic hype, everyone wins. Joey Bada$$ wasn't just a guest; he became the voice of the arena for a whole generation of players who were tired of the same old tune.