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.
All Love
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said my last shit was trash and they dig when it's deeper
They ain't see what I see, I guess my vision was weaker
Or they buy me to hear me, so we can skip all the features, I'm like
Woke me up with the pinch
So it's in English now, since they ain't wanna hear French
Ain't wanna hear Wiz, ain't want me with Kirko
They ain't wanna hear me happy, now they lookin' for hurt, yo
And so they're patiently waitin' for my fortune's reversal
Check it, it's like ever since Bundles passed
Took the high road and watched everybody underpass
Truth be told, God been lookin' out so much
That I feel guilty when I ask him for more
Then I do it like the shit ain't ever happen before
This is all the while layin' on my bathroom floor
Hold up, I'm just askin' him, give me strength to grow up
By now I'm sick and tired of layin' in my own throw up
It's a given, then self pity hits me
And I start to feel like I don't deserve to be forgiven
Like when you can't think, talkin' when you don't drink
But sneakin' 'round your own kitchen cause you gotta get a swig in
I got issues, weed and vodka will settle some
Well ain't that the pot callin' the Kettle One?
I know niggas so broke that they embezzle funds
Too busy waitin' for a chance that ain't never come
But this is bigger than havin' a debt
I mean I can't stop my brain from imaginin' death
Then out the clear blue sky I cry random tears
Used to it, me and depression been a tandem for years
I suffer from self doubt, put a cramp in my fears
If there's a God, this would be the perfect span to appear
I'm not a street nigga, never claimed that sport
And some of that train of thought's insane, had to abort
So people say I changed, I believe I should
Even so the goal's always been to leave the hood
None of this should be a shock to y'all
Logic says if you're still there, that's a knock to y'all
Since you want a nigga furthest from his dreams
Love's gone, DOA once we left the murder scene, Joe
When the love goes, the trust goes
It's like you hit my heart with a snub nose
I don't give a fuck though
Where did the love go?
Guess it's all love lost
Been a hustle, a struggle
Say the truth hurts and then cuts slow
I don't give a fuck though
Where did the love go?
Guess it's all love lost
Now this might be the realest shit I ever said
Ever thought, realest I ever fought
Ignorance is bliss, you niggas were never taught
So when a challenge is sought, you niggas never retort
Me I'm too savvy, too witty
It's just too much moxy
No percs, just a few crushed oxys
But gettin' off was imminent
When my dick became numb I was impotent
Shit got real different then
Was out in Cali with a model, little waist
And double Ds, a pretty face and long hair, name's Vivian
Not the norm for me, askin' what's wrong with me
Tried everything we could, nothin' worked, couldn't get me in
We went on so many tours high
That chemistry we once had, did it all die?
Something's changed, I just can't put my finger on
And I'd be wrong to sing a song but let it linger on
Just know I'd die for my brothers
Take on the whole world, at least try for my brothers
Just wanna know that that's reciprocated
And if that ain't the case, nigga, say it
These just words from the heart
My life coach say I never finish what I start
Work, school and relationships become one
But if I took all I could, how'd I leave it undone?
I'm givin' all the love but not receivin' any
But then they mad I'm all for self and I don't bleed for many
Shit I done made a couple of you bitches
Just by tellin' folk I was a couple with you bitches
Befuddled and so now I don't want trouble with you bitches
Had I used my better judgement, I'd have muzzled all you bitches
I gave out careers, fixed your fashion
Did this shit so much you would think I got it patented
So many loved and mentioned me
Judged but can't sentence me
Real nigga never cared
Worth a couple mil' and started from an idea
Keep it candid in the booth, never panic, I'm the truth
God starin' down on me through a panoramic roof
I copped to the murder, red handed, ain't no proof
Love's dead but you never understand it 'til it's you
True colors never hide for long
When tables turn, ain't gon' matter what side you're on
And for me that's a reoccurring theme
Love's dead, I'm just walkin' y'all through a murder scene
When the love goes, the trust goes
It's like you hit my heart with a snub nose
I don't give a fuck though
Where did the love go?
Guess it's all love lost
Been a hustle, a struggle
Say the truth hurts and then cuts slow
I don't give a fuck though
Where did the love go?
Guess it's all love lost
The song "Intro" by Joe Budden is a reflection of his life and career. He begins with discussing how people criticize his music and never appreciate his vision. He feels people are more interested in commercial success than the quality of his music. The following lines depict how he wakes up to a sense of reality and admits that he is not immune to self-pity and depression. He concludes that "Love's gone, DOA once we left the murder scene," indicating that his relationships and love have not been successful due to his focus on his career.
In the next part of the song, Joe Budden focuses on the concept of love and trust. He talks about how trust goes away when love fades, and he feels that he has been hustling and struggling to find love and success in his life. He discusses his personal experience of being impotent and how it affected his relationship with a model named Vivian. He expresses his desire for his friends and family to show him the same love that he provides for them. He concludes that love is dead and that it is a reoccurring theme in his life.
Overall the song is a reflection of Joe Budden's life and how he feels about his career and personal relationships. He reflects on his struggles with depression, his failed relationships, and his desire for love and support from his friends and family.
Line by Line Meaning
Just when I thought I can't dig any deeper
Right when I believed I couldn't reach a lower point
Said my last shit was trash and they dig when it's deeper
They claimed my previous work was awful and they criticize even more when I delve into deeper topics
They ain't see what I see, I guess my vision was weaker
They didn't understand my perspective, perhaps my vision wasn't strong enough
Or they buy me to hear me, so we can skip all the features, I'm like
Maybe they only support me for the sake of skipping additional artists on songs, and I feel indifferent about it
Woke me up with the pinch
They abruptly awakened me from my comfort zone
So it's in English now, since they ain't wanna hear French
Now I'm expressing myself clearly in English because they didn't want to listen when I used French
Ain't wanna hear Wiz, ain't want me with Kirko
They didn't want to hear me collaborate with Wiz Khalifa or Kirko Bangz
They ain't wanna hear me happy, now they lookin' for hurt, yo
They didn't want to hear me content and joyful, but now they seek to find my pain
They'll hate it before they hear it if they think it's commercial
They will dislike my music even before they listen to it, assuming it is too mainstream
And so they're patiently waitin' for my fortune's reversal
They eagerly await for me to face a downfall and lose my fortune
Check it, it's like ever since Bundles passed
Listen, it feels like everything changed after Bundles died
Took the high road and watched everybody underpass
I chose to take the morally superior path, observing everyone else take shortcuts
Truth be told, God been lookin' out so much
Honestly, God has been protecting me abundantly
That I feel guilty when I ask him for more
I experience guilt when I request additional blessings from him
Then I do it like the shit ain't ever happen before
Afterwards, I act as if the previous event never occurred
This is all the while layin' on my bathroom floor
All of this happens as I lie on my bathroom floor
Hold up, I'm just askin' him, give me strength to grow up
Wait, I'm just requesting strength to mature and develop as a person
By now I'm sick and tired of layin' in my own throw up
At this point, I am exhausted from being stuck in my own mess
It's a given, then self pity hits me
It's expected, and then self-pity overwhelms me
And I start to feel like I don't deserve to be forgiven
I begin to believe that I am unworthy of forgiveness
Like when you can't think, talkin' when you don't drink
Similar to the state of mind when you can't think clearly, talking without being under the influence
But sneakin' 'round your own kitchen cause you gotta get a swig in
But secretly sneaking around your own kitchen because you desperately need a drink
I got issues, weed and vodka will settle some
I have problems, and marijuana and vodka can temporarily soothe them
Well ain't that the pot callin' the Kettle One?
Indeed, isn't that ironic and contradictory?
I know niggas so broke that they embezzle funds
I am aware of individuals who are incredibly poor, yet they still manage to misappropriate money
Too busy waitin' for a chance that ain't never come
They are too preoccupied waiting for an opportunity that will never arrive
But this is bigger than havin' a debt
However, this issue extends beyond financial debt
I mean I can't stop my brain from imaginin' death
I can't prevent my mind from contemplating death
Then out the clear blue sky I cry random tears
Out of nowhere, I burst into tears without any apparent reason
Used to it, me and depression been a tandem for years
I have become accustomed to it; depression and I have been companions for many years
I suffer from self doubt, put a cramp in my fears
I constantly battle with self-doubt, hindering my ability to confront my fears
If there's a God, this would be the perfect span to appear
If there is a higher power, this would be the ideal time for them to manifest
I'm not a street nigga, never claimed that sport
I am not a gangster, I have never boasted about being involved in such activities
And some of that train of thought's insane, had to abort
In fact, some of those ways of thinking are irrational, and I had to abandon them
So people say I changed, I believe I should
People accuse me of altering, but I think it was necessary for my personal growth
Even so the goal's always been to leave the hood
Nevertheless, my aspiration has always been to escape the neighborhood
None of this should be a shock to y'all
None of these revelations should come as a surprise to all of you
Logic says if you're still there, that's a knock to y'all
Logically, if you're still in that situation, it reflects poorly on all of you
Since you want a nigga furthest from his dreams
Because you desire to see me far away from achieving my dreams
Love's gone, DOA once we left the murder scene, Joe
Love is no longer present, it died as soon as we departed from the place where it was murdered, Joe
When the love goes, the trust goes
When the affection disappears, the trust also fades away
It's like you hit my heart with a snub nose
It feels as if you've struck my heart with a short-barreled gun
I don't give a fuck though
However, I don't care about it anymore
Where did the love go?
Where did the love vanish to?
Guess it's all love lost
I suppose all the love has been irretrievably lost
Been a hustle, a struggle
It has been a constant effort, a difficult journey
Say the truth hurts and then cuts slow
They say the truth is painful, and its effects are long-lasting
I don't give a fuck though
Nonetheless, I remain unconcerned
Where did the love go?
Where did the love go?
Guess it's all love lost
I suppose all the love has been irretrievably lost
Now this might be the realest shit I ever said
This could possibly be the most genuine statement I have ever made
Ever thought, realest I ever fought
The most authentic idea I have conceived, the most genuine battle I have faced
Ignorance is bliss, you niggas were never taught
Ignorance brings happiness, you were never properly educated
So when a challenge is sought, you niggas never retort
So when faced with a challenge, you never respond or argue
Me I'm too savvy, too witty
As for me, I am too shrewd, too clever
It's just too much moxy
Simply an excessive amount of audacity
No percs, just a few crushed oxys
Not taking Percocet, only a few crushed oxycodone pills
But gettin' off was imminent
However, achieving satisfaction was imminent
When my dick became numb I was impotent
When my confidence faded, I became emotionally impotent
Shit got real different then
At that point, everything drastically changed
Was out in Cali with a model, little waist
I was in California with a model who had a slim waist
And double Ds, a pretty face and long hair, name's Vivian
She had large breasts, a beautiful face, and long hair; her name was Vivian
Not the norm for me, askin' what's wrong with me
It wasn't my usual type, wondering what was wrong with me
Tried everything we could, nothin' worked, couldn't get me in
We attempted various methods, but nothing was successful in captivating me
We went on so many tours high
We experienced numerous drug-induced adventures
That chemistry we once had, did it all die?
Did the connection we shared completely vanish?
Something's changed, I just can't put my finger on
Something has shifted, but I can't identify what exactly
And I'd be wrong to sing a song but let it linger on
It would be incorrect for me to sing a song and allow the uncertainty to persist
Just know I'd die for my brothers
Understand that I would sacrifice my life for my close friends
Take on the whole world, at least try for my brothers
I would confront any challenge, or at least make an attempt, for the sake of my friends
Just wanna know that that's reciprocated
I simply wish to know if that same level of devotion is mutual
And if that ain't the case, nigga, say it
And if that isn't true, my friend, be honest about it
These just words from the heart
These are simply heartfelt words
My life coach say I never finish what I start
My life coach claims I never complete what I initiate
Work, school and relationships become one
Work, education, and romantic connections all blend together
But if I took all I could, how'd I leave it undone?
But if I gave everything I had, how could I leave it unfinished?
I'm givin' all the love but not receivin' any
I am giving all my love, but I am not receiving any in return
But then they mad I'm all for self and I don't bleed for many
Yet, they become angry when I prioritize myself and don't sacrifice for many
Shit I done made a couple of you bitches
Damn, I created a few of you women
Just by tellin' folk I was a couple with you bitches
Simply by publicly claiming that we were in a relationship
Befuddled and so now I don't want trouble with you bitches
Confused and thus, I no longer wish to engage in conflict with you women
Had I used my better judgement, I'd have muzzled all you bitches
If I had made wiser decisions, I would have silenced all of you women
I gave out careers, fixed your fashion
I provided opportunities for careers, improved your sense of style
Did this shit so much you would think I got it patented
I did these things so frequently that one might assume I owned the rights to them
So many loved and mentioned me
So many people loved and talked about me
Judged but can't sentence me
They can pass judgment, but they lack the authority to pass a sentence on me
Real nigga never cared
A genuine person never worries or is bothered
Worth a couple mil' and started from an idea
Despite being worth a few million dollars, I began from a simple thought or concept
Keep it candid in the booth, never panic, I'm the truth
I express myself honestly in the recording studio and never panic; I am the epitome of authenticity
God starin' down on me through a panoramic roof
God watches over me from a wide-angle, all-encompassing perspective
I copped to the murder, red handed, ain't no proof
I admit to the crime, caught in the act without any evidence
Love's dead but you never understand it 'til it's you
Love has died, but you never comprehend its significance until you experience it yourself
True colors never hide for long
Genuine character traits always reveal themselves eventually
When tables turn, ain't gon' matter what side you're on
When the situation changes, it won't matter which position you were on
And for me that's a reoccurring theme
And for me, that is a recurring pattern
Love's dead, I'm just walkin' y'all through a murder scene
Love is deceased, and I am simply guiding all of you through the aftermath of its murder
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMANNY SALGADO, JASON CARR, JOSEPH ANTHONY BUDDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DanielTorres-og8sn
Whenever life doesn't make sense I know I can play this album and feel like I can keep going regardless.
@stiggers83
Fasho
@fo0tpeg597
I've been listening to Joe Budden for most of my life now. It's absolutely crazy how the stories and wordplay never run out. I would love to sit back and talk to him for a night, I can't imagine picking his brain. Helped me through so much in life many times.
@emperaepheru
I'm the same way. I been listening to Joe Budden back in high school when everybody was listening Lil Wayne lol
@emperaepheru
His music got me through a lot of nights and bad days too.
@user-se3zd8bb8h
Al Hu it's crazy how i relate to what you said
@peterrioux2328
Ray Astonishin' AMEN 🙏
@ryandavis568
Joe budden just has such a beautiful mind. He isso real lyrically. I hate how people hate on him because of the videos of him getting mad when they havent heard his lyrical masterpeices.
@AngelAnthoNY1988
Joe Budden has saved me from suicidal thoughts many times....
@llaves973
On god