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.
BIG SHOT
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Okay Thugs...
It's... It's... It's (What?)
It's that on Top Music
[Chorus]
You had to be a big Shot, Didn't Ya'?
Had to open up Ya' Mouth
Had to prove it to the crowd
Had to Have the last word that Night
You Know what everything's about
You had to be a big Shot, Didn't Ya'?
You had to be a big Shot, Didn't Ya'?
[Verse 1]
Yeah Yeah, It's Ya' Boy Boy, Listen to 'em
I think maybe the steroids is finally gettin' to him
Or maybe it's people Believing all the Hard raps
Or maybe it's the tank top with the Bra Straps
Maybe he's really beleiving he's a thieve'n
like the dude he stole his name from
Dude ain't the same none
Nothing's hardbody about him, He's like Puddin'
So can't we all beat off all his white Goodmen
Now I can and just wait till his team dissolve
Or I can go and get ya thick (Broad) No Screens involved
I get you offed for a clip, No fiends involved
or we can take it one further, get queens invovled
Where they know he never went to Jail, Never over a banger
He went to bootcamp, not in pop with the Gansgters
Sorta' like Yayo who stayed in D.C
and you can ask anybody up in D.C
But I guess he's a tought guy now, The Kids Free
but doing that kind of Jail time is easy
but it's not beneath me, Really I gives a fuck
I could put the whole Unit on the next Nip & Tuck (But!)
to keep his dudes in cheek, I keep it real with him
punched banks in the face and he still with 'em
Don't worry 'bout me putting clips in the forty
to pistol whip Lloyd when fifty'll do it for me
[Chorus]
You had to be a big Shot, Didn't Ya'?
Had to open up Ya' Mouth
You had to be a big Shot, Didn't Ya'?
Had to prove it to the crowd
Had to Have the last word that Night
You Know what everything's about
You had to be a big Shot, Didn't Ya'?
You had to be a big Shot, Didn't Ya'?
[Verse 2]
Far as the kid game, he lame to say the least
mad he from the west, so he diverted to the East
All he talk about, Him and his Man that'll blast pounds
but when you see him, He just dancing in the Background
I tore Game apart
thought by now the asswhole would have a change a heart
Especially since I got the tape of this GANGSTA on change of Heart
Teary eyed cause his shorty had a change of Heart
But I smell something fishy, there's a con in the Air
Slacks, His tongue pierced, Streaks Blonde in his Hair
Who's he Playing With? Keep saying shit
And ya' body will take the same tour Reagan's did
Still trying to get a buzz, Embarassed, The Kid's Hurtin'
Reachin', He's losin' his head, He's Nick Birkman
And far as Banks & Buck, I'm done duscussing 'em (Why?)
I only beef with Nigga's who own Publishing
Curtis you a bum, and you almost done
Same artist you dissing exactly's what become
Saw him at Summer Jam, and all he did was stare
Walked on stage, all you heard was Chairs/ Cheers (Man, Ya'll don't get it)
Don't be Singin' No More, You a queen, No More
And he can't even step foot in queens no more
Selling his soul, Banks, Don't be proud of Ya' Father
Now we all see the
[Chorus]
You had to be a big Shot, Didn't Ya'?
Had to open up Ya' Mouth
You had to be a big Shot, Didn't Ya'?
Had to prove it to the crowd
Had to Have the last word that Night
You Know what everything's about
You had to be a big Shot, Didn't Ya'?
You had to be a big Shot, Didn't Ya'?
In Joe Budden's song "Big Shot," he takes direct shots at fellow rappers in the industry, particularly Game, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Young Buck. The chorus sets the tone of the song, addressing those who feel the need to prove themselves as big shots in front of crowds. The first verse focuses on Game, criticizing his tough guy persona and claiming he stole his name from someone else. Budden also mentions a woman in a tank top with bra straps, possibly referring to a woman that Game had previously dated. Budden continues to question Game's credibility and even considers getting his own team involved to reveal that Game had never actually been to jail. Budden then takes several jabs at 50 Cent in the second verse, stating that he only beefs with those who own their publishing rights. He also implies that 50 Cent has sold his soul, can't step foot in Queens anymore, and should stop singing.
Overall, Budden's lyrics in "Big Shot" are a direct attack on various rappers in the industry, taking aim at their tough guy personas and questioning their authenticity. The song is a perfect example of the competitiveness that exists between rappers and the need to prove oneself in front of a crowd.
Line by Line Meaning
Okay Thugs...
Joe Budden is addressing a certain group of people
It's... It's... It's (What?)
It's that on Top Music
The song is produced by on Top Music
You had to be a big Shot, Didn't Ya'?
The subject being addressed had a need to be seen as important
Had to open up Ya' Mouth
The subject being addressed had to say something big and impactful
Had to prove it to the crowd
The subject being addressed felt the need to show off to the public
Had to Have the last word that Night
The subject being addressed wanted to have the final say in a situation that occurred at night
You Know what everything's about
The subject being addressed is fully aware of what their actions are meant to accomplish
Yeah Yeah, It's Ya' Boy Boy, Listen to 'em
Joe Budden is introducing himself and encouraging others to listen to him
I think maybe the steroids is finally gettin' to him
Joe Budden is suggesting that the subject being addressed may be using steroids
Or maybe it's people Believing all the Hard raps
Joe Budden is suggesting that people believe the subject being addressed merely because of their tough lyrics
Or maybe it's the tank top with the Bra Straps
Joe Budden is pointing out the subject being addressed's fashion choices
Maybe he's really beleiving he's a thieve'n
like the dude he stole his name from
Joe Budden is suggesting that the subject being addressed is not genuine and has taken on someone else's identity
Nothing's hardbody about him, He's like Puddin'
Joe Budden is criticizing the subject being addressed, claiming that they are not tough at all
Now I can and just wait till his team dissolve
Or I can go and get ya thick (Broad) No Screens involved
Joe Budden is suggesting that he can either wait it out until the subject being addressed's team falls apart or take action himself
I get you offed for a clip, No fiends involved
or we can take it one further, get queens invovled
Joe Budden is suggesting that he can have the subject being addressed killed or involve people from Queens in the situation
Where they know he never went to Jail, Never over a banger
He went to bootcamp, not in pop with the Gansgters
Joe Budden is claiming that the subject being addressed has never actually been in jail or committed a serious crime
But I guess he's a tought guy now, The Kids Free
but doing that kind of Jail time is easy
Joe Budden is criticizing the subject being addressed's tough talk, claiming that real jail time is much harder than what he has experienced
but it's not beneath me, Really I gives a fuck
I could put the whole Unit on the next Nip & Tuck (But!)
Joe Budden is suggesting that he is willing to take drastic measures against the subject being addressed and their crew
to keep his dudes in cheek, I keep it real with him
punched banks in the face and he still with 'em
Joe Budden is claiming that he keeps the subject being addressed in line by being honest with him and by resorting to violence if necessary
Don't worry 'bout me putting clips in the forty
to pistol whip Lloyd when fifty'll do it for me
Joe Budden is suggesting that he doesn't need to use excessive force to threaten Lloyd Banks
Far as the kid game, he lame to say the least
mad he from the west, so he diverted to the East
Joe Budden is criticizing the subject being addressed's career in the music industry, suggesting that he is not successful and had to move to the East to gain fame
All he talk about, Him and his Man that'll blast pounds
but when you see him, He just dancing in the Background
Joe Budden is suggesting that the subject being addressed talks tough but doesn't actually follow through on his words
I tore Game apart
Joe Budden is claiming that he has already defeated The Game (another rapper)
thought by now the asswhole would have a change a heart
Especially since I got the tape of this GANGSTA on change of Heart
Joe Budden is suggesting that he has incriminating evidence against The Game that would make him change his ways
Teary eyed cause his shorty had a change of Heart
Joe Budden is suggesting that The Game's girlfriend broke up with him
But I smell something fishy, there's a con in the Air
Slacks, His tongue pierced, Streaks Blonde in his Hair
Who's he Playing With? Keep saying shit
And ya' body will take the same tour Reagan's did
Joe Budden is suggesting that something shady is going on with The Game's appearance and behavior, and that he should watch what he says or he will suffer physical harm
Still trying to get a buzz, Embarassed, The Kid's Hurtin'
Reachin', He's losin' his head, He's Nick Birkman
Joe Budden is claiming that the subject being addressed is trying to gain attention and is failing badly
And far as Banks & Buck, I'm done duscussing 'em (Why?)
I only beef with Nigga's who own Publishing
Joe Budden is done criticizing Lloyd Banks and Young Buck because he is only interested in dealing with artists who own their own music publishing
Curtis you a bum, and you almost done
Same artist you dissing exactly's what become
Joe Budden is criticizing 50 Cent (aka Curtis Jackson) for being washed up and irrelevant despite his ongoing criticism of other artists
Saw him at Summer Jam, and all he did was stare
Walked on stage, all you heard was Chairs/ Cheers (Man, Ya'll don't get it)
Joe Budden is claiming that 50 Cent had a negative reception at a recent music festival despite his fame and success
Don't be Singin' No More, You a queen, No More
And he can't even step foot in queens no more
Selling his soul, Banks, Don't be proud of Ya' Father
Now we all see the
Joe Budden is criticizing Lloyd Banks for his music and behavior, and claiming that he has betrayed his roots and sold out for money
You had to be a big Shot, Didn't Ya'?
Repeats the chorus
You had to be a big Shot, Didn't Ya'?
Repeats the chorus
Contributed by Jasmine R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jay10025
the sample is so appropriate that its brilliant
@niggazdieeverydayb7095
THIS IS STILL 1 OF THE NICEST DISSES IN 2023 ๐ฅ
@lancew9637
i was a G-unit fan and this shit made me go "goddamn nigga".. ๐
@KingRemoji
10 years ago:
0:55
โNow I could sit and wait until your team dissolve...โ
2020
G-Unit DID indeed โfall offโ and break up, BUT โThe Joe Budden Podcastโ is one of the hottest hiphop related podcasts out right now. ๐
โTime beats everybodyโ
@olearyeugene
It was bound to happen. No group really stay together lol
@BCZ21
@Eugene Oleary cuz these niggaz be fake, The LOX always stayed together
@camm8642
@Eugene Oleary wu tang and the lox
@dantepayne8658
One of the best battle tracks of all time!! Every line had to hurt the unit ๐คฃ๐๐คฃ
@mikerutledge7979
Definitely hurt them
@84TEazy
am really glad joe budden refuses to water down his music....it's only a small number of real mc's left doing it.