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.
Better Me
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Intro: Joe Budden]
I hear what nigga's sayin'.
Nigga's gonna' talk to me like...
Like when I come on the plane an' shit, Louie's on.
When I sit out in front of the muh'fuckin' plane wit' the daily news wit' my legs crossed an' shit.
You Pat Riley in that shit, nigga.
[Verse 1: Joe Budden]
Look here,
Look, look...
I get a ghetto gospel
Only right considerin' the ghetto was my hostile.
Memory is gone, but I'm recallin' all through highschool
Even at my lowest, I was sittin' on my highstool;
That's what bein' high do.
If I couldn't do shit, was always able ta' toke
They tol' me that a nigga die 'fore I was able ta' vote.
'Prolly 'cause me an' my constituents
An' all the shit we did
The MRI couldn't tell you what the issue is.
Wit' my treason came a cause that I believed in
Is it really wrong if a nigga got a reason?
At times I had ta' take doe
Nigga did whatever for a peso
Bein' from the hood'll be my scapegoat.
A can it be, 'cause I wasn't born into a canopy
Maybe I was prone to fallin' in love wit' vanity
Tell me shit'chu reap is the shit'chu sow
Tell God I'm better than the shit I show
I gotta grow, c'mon.
[Hook]
[Verse 2: Joe Budden]
Whoa...
Now look...
Now niggas say I floss too much
So... has he changed?
'Cause I don't think that thousand-dollar T cost too much.
All they should say is that he strong
Came out the fire unscathed, ye', I carried on
Lu Vuitton carry on.
[??] wit' my blessing's at a delay
Now ta' lace my chick in [??] is sorta' cliché.
Plane ain't gonn' ever land, less it's in the Netherlands
Twenty on that goldface, Breitling wit' the leather band.
Ask for a better hand
I tried collidin' wit my problems, ye', I never ran
That'll make me less a man.
I ain't go from not havin' it ta' bein' arrogant
I dreamt, went grabbin' it, jus' bein' passionate.
Some niggas get complaints an' why...
Dude's is newborn birds, jus' afraid ta' fly.
If you're foot's on the breaks, can't ride.
Me, I spread my wings, inhale an' embrace that high!
[Hook]
[Verse 3: Joe Budden]
Give it away, give it away, give it away now [x3]
Look, look, look...
Part of me was gruesome
I ain't changed, I grew some
An' if I did change, I welcomed that shit to come.
Dudes that smoked trees wit' me
Dudes that used ta' be wit' me
They say I switched up on 'em an' did a three-sixty.
'Cause I don't burn it down
But to me it's commonsense -
You wann' see the otherside, gott' turn aroun'.
Show 'em your game face -
I tell 'em we was on the same track, but wasn't runnin' that same race.
Weighin' in the same space, but I ain't gonn' change pace
Some' won't let me slowdown, I can't explain fate.
So don't say I went from broke ta' booshie
I'm far from highend I jus' know what suits me, muh'fucka.
[Hook]
In Joe Budden's song Better Me, he reflects on his life in the ghetto and how he has made a name for himself despite the challenges he had faced. He bitterly expresses how people often try to undermine his hard work and legacy by acts such as treating him poorly on planes or questioning his seat in the front. He then goes on to explore some of the difficulties he had faced growing up, such as not being able to do certain things, and how being from the hood can often become a scapegoat. He questions whether his struggles with vanity and self-perception are due to his circumstances, and acknowledges that he has to grow as a person.
The second verse sees Joe Budden reflecting on the criticisms he has faced for flaunting his wealth and suggests that he has not changed despite the accusations. He recounts how he has come out of difficult situations unscathed and how he has always followed his passion for music. He also acknowledges the difficulties he had faced in the past and how some people perceive him differently after changing. Finally, he declares that he has embraced his differences and is not ashamed of what he had to do to get where he is now.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear what nigga's sayin'.
Joe Budden is aware of what people are saying about him.
Nigga's gonna' talk to me like...
People talk to Joe Budden in a condescending manner.
Like when I come on the plane an' shit, Louie's on.
Joe Budden is judged for flaunting his success and wearing luxury brands.
When I sit out in front of the muh'fuckin' plane wit' the daily news wit' my legs crossed an' shit.
Joe Budden is perceived as arrogant and entitled for sitting at the front of the plane and reading the news.
Wanna' act like I ain't earn my seat, when I'm watchin' muh'fuckas walk to the back an' shit, when it's Coach.
Despite earning his success, Joe Budden is belittled and made to feel inferior.
You Pat Riley in that shit, nigga.
Joe Budden compares himself to Pat Riley, who is known for being a successful coach and executive.
I get a ghetto gospel
Joe Budden speaks from his own experiences growing up in the ghetto.
Only right considerin' the ghetto was my hostile.
Joe Budden faced obstacles growing up in the ghetto but his experiences helped shape him.
Even at my lowest, I was sittin' on my highstool;
Joe Budden was able to rise above his struggles and maintain his self-confidence.
That's what bein' high do.
Being high helped Joe Budden cope with his struggles and maintain a positive outlook.
'Prolly 'cause me an' my constituents An' all the shit we did The MRI couldn't tell you what the issue is.
Joe Budden acknowledges that some of his questionable actions in the past have taken a toll on him and may be affecting his mental health.
Wit' my treason came a cause that I believed in Is it really wrong if a nigga got a reason?
Joe Budden believes in his causes even if they are unconventional or unpopular with others.
At times I had ta' take doe Nigga did whatever for a peso Bein' from the hood'll be my scapegoat.
Growing up in the hood, Joe Budden felt like he had to do whatever it takes to earn money, even if it meant resorting to questionable actions.
A can it be, 'cause I wasn't born into a canopy Maybe I was prone to fallin' in love wit' vanity
Joe Budden acknowledges that his upbringing and environment shaped the way he views success and how he presents himself.
Tell me shit'chu reap is the shit'chu sow Tell God I'm better than the shit I show I gotta grow, c'mon.
Joe Budden seeks personal growth and wants to be remembered for the good he does.
Now niggas say I floss too much So... has he changed? 'Cause I don't think that thousand-dollar T cost too much.
Joe Budden is judged for accepting his success and living in a way that is comfortable for him.
All they should say is that he strong Came out the fire unscathed, ye', I carried on Lu Vuitton carry on
Joe Budden perseveres through adversity and doesn't let external pressures slow him down.
Ask for a better hand I tried collidin' wit my problems, ye', I never ran That'll make me less a man.
Joe Budden confronts his problems head-on and doesn't run away from them because he believes that would make him weak.
I ain't go from not havin' it ta' bein' arrogant I dreamt, went grabbin' it, jus' bein' passionate.
Joe Budden does not believe that his success has made him arrogant, he simply followed his dreams and was passionate about achieving them.
Some niggas get complaints an' why... Dude's is newborn birds, jus' afraid ta' fly.
Joe Budden sees that some people are held back by their own insecurities or fears of failure.
If you're foot's on the breaks, can't ride. Me, I spread my wings, inhale an' embrace that high!
Joe Budden is willing to take risks and push himself further than he thought possible.
Part of me was gruesome I ain't changed, I grew some An' if I did change, I welcomed that shit to come.
Joe Budden accepts his past mistakes but also acknowledges that he has grown and learned from them.
Dudes that smoked trees wit' me Dudes that used ta' be wit' me They say I switched up on 'em an' did a three-sixty.
Some of Joe Budden's peers feel like he has changed and is no longer the same person they knew.
Because I don't burn it down But to me it's commonsense - You wann' see the other side, gott' turn aroun'.
Joe Budden acknowledges that in order to grow and change, you have to be willing to look at things from a different perspective.
Show 'em your game face - I tell 'em we was on the same track, but wasn't runnin' that same race.
Joe Budden wants to show people that he and his peers may have started on the same path, but their goals and ambitions were not always the same.
Some won't let me slow down, I can't explain fate.
Joe Budden feels like he can't slow down and has to keep hustling and pushing himself, even if he doesn't know why.
So don't say I went from broke ta' booshie I'm far from highend I jus' know what suits me, muh'fucka.
Joe Budden wants people to know that he hasn't gone from being broke to being out of touch, he simply knows what works for him and his lifestyle.
Contributed by Eliana A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mar
Even though I've outgrown the dark times when this music helped me, it's so refreshing to come back and look at what I've overcome. Joe still in my top 3 and I'm beyond proud of his achievements after his rapping days.
Kani Thomson
Word bro im Australian and this song is so relevant with my journey to Sobriety.. joey is the fucking man and speaks volumes💯🔥
001nuttz
Just wish we could see another slaughter house album........
Scrungo
dark times: dont worry we'll be back fam
FlashyThaDon
Same my bro🙏😌😤
Wild King Slots
I like this 👌
Donald Jones
2021 and I'm back here. Joey's music is simply therapeutic. I pray everyone who reads this has a blessed year. Love you all. I believe in you. Believe in YOURSELF. You are your only competition. Be strong. Be bold. Peace and blessings to you all.
Joe Amato
Makes it that much better that a very select group of people really understand the power of these songs..Joey never disappoints..legendary 2017 goin strong
Jase Jase
2022 and halfway house 4ever
Jake Band
We here in 2022! Are yall still in that mood yet!? 🤣