His music initially gained popularity on New York City's famous mixtape circuit in 2002. Although his biggest mainstream hit to-date is 2003's up-tempo "Pump It Up," Budden is known for his reflective and often insecure lyrics. He is widely considered one of hip-hop's most gifted lyricists, thanks largely in part to his numerous works on mixtapes by such DJ's as DJ Clue, Clinton Sparks, DJ On Point, and DJ Envy.
On one particular mixtape song, called "Crosscountry Connection", Joe started a feud with the G-Unit camp. The Game took offense to a line where Joe claims that gangsta rappers should "be in a G-Unit video with all the gangsta actors", obviously claiming G-Unit are fake gangstas. Unbeknownst to Budden, The Game had just recently signed with the G-Unit camp. The Game and G-Unit fired a few diss songs Budden's way; he replied in kind. The feud was ended when The Game and Budden met in a club in New York City and put the past aside.
During winter and spring of 2005, through Joe Budden mixtapes and hip-hop rumor mills, it was said that he departed from Def Jam to Roc-A-Fella Records with CEO Damon Dash. In reality, Budden was legally obligated to stay with Def Jam. In the beginning of Budden's career, it took him a long time to get public exposure, working more than three years from the first time his demo tapes were heard to the first time he was on the radio. He has appeared on many tracks with other artists including 112, Amerie, Brandy, Cassidy, Fabolous, Fat Joe, Freeway, Janet Jackson, Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez, Jin, Kelly Rowland, Lil' Kim, LL Cool J, Marques Houston, Usher, and more recently a remix to the hit song "Hollaback Girl" with Gwen Stefani. Some of these were not official remixes, simply mixtape tracks where a Joe Budden verse was added to an existing song.
Though he is thought of as one of rap's most skilled lyricists, Budden's success outside of the mixtape circuit has been marginal purposely. He is known to have invested in real estate in North Jersey and instead of blowing up into the rap scene he decided to make money from other methods instead of getting a record deal. His music is usually more sensitive and thought provoking than that of gangsta rappers, but subsequently, it is also more explicit and unrelenting than most "conscious" or "backpack" rappers.
In late December of 2005, Joe released a mixtape after almost 5 months of being absent from the game. Mood Muzik 2 is considered by most to be a lyrical masterpiece and with so deep tracks such as "Dumb Out" and the emotional "3 Sides to a Story" (in which Joe harrowingly describes a disturbing situation), many wondered had these songs originally been scheduled to appear on The Growth.
In 2007, he was released by Def Jam. In December 2007, he released Mood Muzik 3, which many are calling the best mixtape of the year, with some even saying it's the album of the year since it contains all original material. Some have questioned this since the beat for 'Ventilation' is an edit of 'It's A Shame (Da Butcher's Mix)' by Kool G Rap.
In October 2008, Joe Budden released another highly-rated mixtape, Halfway House; featuring album cuts such as 'Touch & Go' and a snippet of 'Blood On The Wall', a diss to Prodigy of Mobb Deep.
In his career up to his 2nd album, he has worked with artists such as Busta Rhymes and Christina Milian, and has been involved in feuds with rapper The Game and G-Unit. He has since reconciled with The Game.
Since this reconciliation, Joe Budden signed to Amalgam Digital records, and both artists finalized the beef and have collaborated on the single 'The Future' for Joe Budden's now-released 2nd album, Padded Room. The album released February 24th in the U.S. and March 3rd in Canada.
13. NO IDEA
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Look, I was always told you can't make it make sense don't trust it
So I'll be out the country with the phone off, fuck it
Grown from when I was dusted
But took something away out of every moment I suffered
So y'all can go on and judge it
There's a reason that I'm tellin baby girl she gotta practice patience
I plan on changing my ways I'm just procrastinating
With both my parents going crazy as the pastor's praying
Prideful, I don't even succumb when I'm defeated
All it do is get me mad, and I'm comfortable heated
I come from a family of drunks, I'm the one that succeeded
So nowadays I talk to God when nothing is needed
I'm sorry I don't speak the language of
Rappers in the closet, but they won't hang it up
I'm only trying to build what they attempt to destroy
We had a perfect game until it was Jim Joyce'd
Check it, what was once so majestic
Is now only adored by epileptics
I record to resurrect it, by my own accord I can't accept it
But when something gives you nightmares, can you afford to recollect it
If you can just know them odds stacked
Airplanes ain't shooting stars, you can't B.O.B. that
I found out when discussing paper
Some will sell their soul and deal with the repercussions later
[Chorus]
With every curve they throw
Every shot that blows, I'm still here
It be the ones that's pretending to know that really have no Idea
I just let em all go ahead and speak my name
How far you gonna reach for fame
Go ahead and fuck up your career
I don't care, cause they have no idea
[Verse 2]
So sick it's livid, all pics are vivid
A stiff of being gifted, gotta be equipped to live with
His critics, misquote him and miss tidbits
So he's mislabeled, misunderstood, misfit'd
Anytime I was misinformed or misguided
I went and got advice from a dude that wouldn't apply it
And he'll give out that lesson for free
Without a grudge, but I keep the past present with me
So every morning on the wake up, and she's applying make up
I'm pondering all the different ways for us to break u
Women have a tendency to get fickle
Predictable, lie and say his dick little
It be the ones you could see yourself with forever
Giving you a lecture talking about you neglect her
Couple years in, the strip club will upset her
And she'll act like you ain't have them same habits when you met her
When you can't take her
You start dropping hints for her to read between the lines
But she'll act like Fantasia
It'll be so much to be said but no one will convey it
The relationship will be over but no one will say it
A doomed fate, living with who you'd soon hate
Ex life partners trying to co-exist as roommates
Once you go through it you'll believe it
And you'll never give a woman more than you'll want her to leave with
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
How can the fans think us rappers are invincible
Cant find anything about that logic that's sensible
I'm thinkin they should know better off of principle
To them we're action heroes, to labels we're Expendables
My old approach was apprehensible
Some started thinkin their 15 minutes of fame was extendable
They dont cherish the moment like they probably should
Once they star's submitted they act Hollywood
Gwapped up stacks to grip
Now you're being chauffeured in the back of whips, life style's immaculate
Out of touch with reality, I'll help you get a grasp of it
Success breeds change, but so does a lack of it
The homie's sending out subliminals,
Since you a failed rapper, failed criminal, four bars is the minimal
Since you ain't from the streets I'll help and tell you the way it works
Say a nigga snitching, I'm saying show me the paper work
I don't get why the inferior bother to diss me
Heart of my city, when I go take a part of it with me
I think god will understand that was part of my misery
So instead of "father forgive me" it's "father ya dig me?"
Spectated just to see if I'd get checkmated
Less progress brings less hatred which would segue it
I learned the hard way somethings are better kept sacred
Fail at given em your all, you'll just be left naked
[Chorus]
In "13. NO IDEA," Joe Budden reflects on his journey and the challenges he has faced in his life and career. He opens the song by discussing his need to disconnect and find peace by going out of the country with his phone off. Despite going through difficult times, he highlights how he has grown from those experiences and gained wisdom. Joe acknowledges his tendency to procrastinate when it comes to changing his ways, but at the same time, he understands the importance of patience. He speaks about his pride and how he refuses to let defeat consume him, especially considering he has succeeded where others in his family have struggled. He mentions his connection with God and how he turns to Him even when it might seem unnecessary. Joe also criticizes rappers who continue to pretend and hide their true selves instead of being authentic. He emphasizes his determination to build and create, even in the face of destructive forces. He refers to a baseball analogy, using pitcher Jim Joyce's mistake during a perfect game to symbolize how everything can change in an instant. Joe questions whether it is worth holding onto nightmares and painful memories, considering the odds stacked against him. He concludes the verse by discussing the sacrifices that some people make for fame and money, selling their souls without considering the repercussions that will follow.
In the chorus, Joe expresses his resilience in the face of adversity. He mentions how people who pretend to know him actually have no idea about his life or struggles. He is undeterred by those who speak his name negatively, as he recognizes their reach for fame will only lead to their own downfall. He asserts that they have no idea about his true character and what he has been through.
In the second verse, Joe illustrates the challenges he faces as a public figure. He talks about the critiques and misquotes he receives and how he is often misunderstood and mislabeled. He acknowledges seeking advice from people who don't practice what they preach and how he carries those lessons with him. He touches on the complexities of relationships, particularly with women, highlighting their tendency to be fickle and unpredictable. In this context, he reflects on the challenges of communication and the reluctance to address the inevitable end of a relationship. He offers advice from his own experiences, suggesting that one should never give a woman more than they are willing to lose.
In the third and final verse, Joe discusses the unrealistic expectations people place on rappers and the misconception that they are invincible. He criticizes those who don't appreciate the opportunities they have and act entitled. He contrasts the lavish lifestyles some rappers lead with their detachment from reality. Joe acknowledges that success can lead to change, but so can the lack of it. He addresses the haters who try to belittle him, showcasing his resilience and loyalty to his city. He acknowledges that his mistakes are a part of his journey and that God understands his struggles. He highlights the importance of keeping certain things sacred and the consequences of not giving your all.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
myke
This song gives a vibe that is unexplainable, his music sets a mood that feels good and is very personal, I like Nas Jay, banks, Jadakiss and fab but out of them all I listen to Joe budden albums the most, all of his albums are timeless and almost no skips and his songs never get old, he makes the best albums, not saying he's the best but he definitely make some of the best music and one of the underrated Goats.
kryz Hamid
Facts
Track Courtesy Of J. Cardim
One of my favorite beat I made for Joe
Rxdreiz Thegreat
Word? U on soundclick bro?
Seven Eighty Uno
I Definitely want like 10 beats from you!! Joe should of did a whole J.Cardim tape. You a different type of animal with the beats!
fortydeebz
that sober up beat
WingDMonT
this my shit..this whole mixtape helped me get through a rough time..thats what music is supposed to do..those luxury rappers only make music for about 2% of the worlds population which is total bulllshit.
Anthony Bloomberg
Joe Budden raps better than most. Probably the most clever rapper out right now. "when you can't take her, you start dropping hints for her to read between the lines but she'll act like fantasia" ...fantasia can't read for the slow ones
whoodkid
the shits he says are so clever that the average intellect might overlook it and it's very relate-able lyrics and metaphors. mouse is that dude
SpliffStar2006
this track go hard. but i think if Drake were spittin this verse, it would make millions tho. da game is wild eff'ed up.