The Brief: The phrase "down bad" means to be extremely eager, horny, and/or desperate.

Bluesquiggle
DEEP DIVE

Down bad or downbad is most often used to refer to someone who is horny, but it can also mean that someone is experiencing intense non-sexual yearning. The top Urban Dictionary definition of the term is “When someone is depressingly horny.”

In addition to being horny, someone who is down bad may be lonely, depressed, down in the dumps, or broke. There is a 2019 song titled “Down Bad” by Dreamville, featuring J. Cole, J.I.D, Bas, EARTHGANG, & Young Nudy.

The social media accounts @downnbadpatrol document instances of “dudes who are down bad,” which are typically text exchanges between desperately horny men and the women they’re pursuing.