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.
Dear Angela
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whatever we had goin it sure aint anymore
Where there used to laughter now theres only pain
(Verse One)
I never thought it would end
Called u my soul mate
Thought u'd become my wife
Noone could tell me otherwise
Now I look back
Rememberin all those tears from ur eyes
Those were the three longest yrs of my life
Had to putem in song
Should of known that we couldn't whether the storm
When u n moms ain't get along
How could u b the one
Or maybe I was in need of ur touch
Fresh off of a drug addiction
Maybe I jus needed a crutch
Inseperable us
No matter wat looked out for the kid
I never thought ud want me after the pigs
My gurl b special
Both of us was actin confused
Said we'd have a child together
So our families would have to approve
But prior to ur miscarriage
I wasn't ready for a kid
I was only working stock at the wiz
Its backwards
I jus wanted to help u
Couldn't take u comin to me sayin mouse theres sumthin I gotta tell u
Sit down
Chorus
(Verse Two)
Listen
All I wanted in my better half
I thought that I found her
Even tho we argued
The pussy was the best that I encountered
I tried to put the BS past me
So we could live in this same house happy
But then u stabbed me
Ambulance ER
don't kno wat imma do
Tube in my dick
Still all I wanted was u
Damn my thinking was sick back then
I left the hospital
U came home from jail
We'd b united again
Bed ridden
I jus wanted to see u
Believing
But u tryin to leave
Don't go angela please I need you
I aint think u throw it
See I laugh but u gave me a motive
Look im sorry but
I couldn't control it
I kno I called u named I promised Id never call u
But u said sum shit
Good thing my dawgs got me up off u
Left me wit a lot of thoughts
Every other day its somthin new
Like joey we gotta talk
This aint working out
Chorus
(Verse Three)
U threw my clothes out the window
Wat I did
Throw ur clothes out the window
How the fuck I end up in jail
Jus like that
Ma u actin greasy wit my son
He aint have to see his dad walk in cuffs like that
Learnt my lesson
On one hand u gave me such a beautiful seed
On the other hand hes used as a weapon
Y things have to change
For the worse
Strach that
They really changed after birth
I guess u got wat u wanted
A bad break ups like murder
When it comes down to it I kno I put u thru hell
U gotta kno its vice versus
We aint gotta hate each other
I tried to make it work
I wanted a family
Not jus a baby mama
Look the lust was gone
The trust was gone
Come to grips with the thought of us is gone
But its not jus a song
Im good now u not the only one fed up
But rather then us talk about it
I'll jus write u a letta
Dear Angie
Chorus
The song "Dear Angela" by Joe Budden is a heartfelt and emotional account of a relationship that has reached its end. The chorus speaks of the pain that has replaced the laughter of the past, indicating that the relationship is over. In the first verse, the singer reminisces about the dreams he had of spending the rest of his life with the woman he called his "soulmate," only to find out that their love was not strong enough to survive a three-year relationship. The verse reveals that their relationship was not entirely smooth; the woman's mother did not approve of their relationship, and the singer notes that he was fresh off a drug addiction and may have used the woman as a crutch. In the second verse, the singer reveals that he was hospitalized at some point, but he couldn't stop thinking about the woman he loved. He later found out that she was seeing other people while he was recovering in the hospital. The verse also talks about an incident in which the woman threw the singer's clothes out the window, leading to both of them being arrested. In the final verse, the singer reflects on how both parties have made mistakes and should try to move on from their toxic relationship.
Overall, "Dear Angela" is a poignant song that captures the raw emotions that come with the end of a relationship. The lyrics detail the ups and downs of the relationship, and the chorus serves as a reminder that what once brought joy has now become a source of pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Whatever we had goin it sure aint anymore
Our relationship is over and things aren't the same.
Where there used to laughter now theres only pain
Our troubles and hardships have taken over the happiness we once shared.
I never thought it would end
I was optimistic about our future together.
Called u my soul mate
I believed we were destined to be together.
Thought u'd become my wife
I had high hopes for our future together as married partners.
Together forever
I envisioned spending the rest of my life with you.
Noone could tell me otherwise
I was convinced that we were meant to be.
Now I look back
Reflecting on our past together.
Rememberin all those tears from ur eyes
I recall the emotional pain you experienced during our relationship.
Those were the three longest yrs of my life
Our relationship felt like an eternity.
Had to putem in song
I turned my experiences into music.
Should of known that we couldn't whether the storm
Our relationship couldn't withstand the troubles we faced.
When u n moms ain't get along
Our conflicting relationships with our mothers contributed to our difficulties.
How could u b the one
I question my choice in a partner.
Or maybe I was in need of ur touch
Maybe my attachment to you was due to my own emotional needs.
Fresh off of a drug addiction
I was still recovering from a drug addiction.
Maybe I jus needed a crutch
You served as a support during a difficult time in my life.
Inseperable us
We were always together.
No matter wat looked out for the kid
We prioritized our child's wellbeing.
I never thought ud want me after the pigs
I didn't expect you to take me back after I went to jail.
My gurl b special
You were unique and important to me.
Both of us was actin confused
We were both uncertain about our relationship.
Said we'd have a child together
We planned to have a child together for our families' approval.
So our families would have to approve
Our families' opinions were important to us.
But prior to ur miscarriage
Our pregnancy ended in a miscarriage.
I wasn't ready for a kid
I was unprepared to care for a child.
I was only working stock at the wiz
I was working a low-paying job.
Its backwards
It's ironic.
I jus wanted to help u
I wanted to support you.
Couldn't take u comin to me sayin mouse theres sumthin I gotta tell u
I couldn't handle the news you had to share with me.
All I wanted in my better half
I wanted a partner who could make me a better person.
I thought that I found her
I thought you were the person to fulfill that role.
Even tho we argued
Although we often disagreed.
The pussy was the best that I encountered
Sex with you was the best I ever had.
I tried to put the BS past me
I tried to move past our issues.
So we could live in this same house happy
I wanted us to live together and be happy.
But then u stabbed me
You betrayed me.
Ambulance ER
I went to the hospital by ambulance.
don't kno wat imma do
I didn't know how to proceed.
Tube in my dick
I had a catheter inserted into my penis.
Still all I wanted was u
I still desired to be with you.
Damn my thinking was sick back then
I realize now that my mindset was flawed.
I left the hospital
I was discharged from the hospital.
U came home from jail
You were released from jail.
We'd b united again
We would be together again.
Bed ridden
I was confined to my bed.
Believing
I held on to hope.
But u tryin to leave
You wanted to end our relationship.
Don't go angela please I need you
I begged you to stay with me.
I aint think u throw it
I didn't expect you to betray me.
See I laugh but u gave me a motive
Your actions gave me a reason to retaliate.
Look im sorry but
I apologize, but...
I couldn't control it
I couldn't prevent myself from reacting to your betrayal.
I kno I called u named I promised Id never call u
I broke my promise not to insult you.
But u said sum shit
But you insulted me as well.
Good thing my dawgs got me up off u
Thankfully, my friends intervened to prevent me from doing something regrettable.
Left me wit a lot of thoughts
I was left thinking about our relationship.
Every other day its somthin new
Our issues seemed to change constantly.
Like joey we gotta talk
We needed to have a serious conversation.
This aint working out
Our relationship wasn't successful.
U threw my clothes out the window
You threw my clothes out of the window.
Wat I did
I don't understand why you reacted that way.
Throw ur clothes out the window
I retaliated by throwing your clothes out the window as well.
How the fuck I end up in jail
I went to jail and didn't know how it happened.
Jus like that
It seemed to happen suddenly.
Ma u actin greasy wit my son
You were treating our child unfairly.
He aint have to see his dad walk in cuffs like that
Our child didn't need to see me being arrested.
Learnt my lesson
I learned from my mistakes.
On one hand u gave me such a beautiful seed
On one hand, we had a wonderful child together.
On the other hand hes used as a weapon
But you sometimes use our child as leverage against me.
Y things have to change
I wonder why our relationship had to change.
For the worse
Our relationship took a negative turn.
Strach that
Scratch that.
They really changed after birth
Our relationship changed after our child was born.
I guess u got wat u wanted
You got what you wanted from our relationship.
A bad break ups like murder
A difficult breakup feels like a tragedy.
When it comes down to it I kno I put u thru hell
I know that my actions were hurtful to you.
U gotta kno its vice versus
You also hurt me in your own way.
We aint gotta hate each other
We don't have to hate each other after the breakup.
I tried to make it work
I made an effort to keep our relationship going.
I wanted a family
I wanted to build a family with you.
Not jus a baby mama
I wanted more than just a co-parenting relationship with you.
Look the lust was gone
The sexual attraction had faded.
The trust was gone
We no longer trusted each other.
Come to grips with the thought of us is gone
I have come to accept that our relationship is over.
But its not jus a song
Despite the song title, my feelings are real.
Im good now u not the only one fed up
I've moved on and am no longer interested in our relationship either.
But rather then us talk about it
But instead of addressing our issues directly...
I'll jus write u a letta
I'm writing this letter instead.
Dear Angie
My message is addressed to you, Angela.
Contributed by Henry D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kenrick Williams
Still banging and relatable in 2022
91Definite
Definitely it’s one of his top 8 songs 💯!
Don Will
Even if u hate joe LYRICALLY u can’t deny him #2019
Saf
💯
Hearron
1st heard this on a mixtape back in high school before everybody even had internet b4 social media took over come to think of it I didn't know what joe budden looked like at the time just used to like this song dude is one of the most under rated lyricist of our time hate him or love him it was either dj clue or drama king lol now I know what dear angie looks like lol never thought Id hear this beat and that dope sample again brings back memories lls
Topanga Vontee
Hearron my exact experience
lady
It's crazy
Deonte Johnson
Me Nd my cuz kept saying it was Rasheed Wallace, when we didn’t know what he looked like
Freddie Brown
I was a Lil past high school when I heard but it was on dj clue this joint hit me my daughter's mom name is Angie and we was going thru it when I heard this how ironic is that!!!
Justin Snider
Same