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.
Downfall
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Last thing I'm tryna be is the good guy now
I ain't never gave a fuck, why should I now
Like the World's interrupting my song, with an interlude
can't you'll see I'm busy trying to balance out my chemical
finishing up, what you ain't even begin to do
when your backs against the ropes it's either him or you
ya'll ain't so important that my words are meant for you
caught up in the he say, she say
blog sites, him and her, broke up
World star, Nah right
dumb fans, they believe, everything that y'all write
found out, friends fake, couldn't even facade right
pressures on, wont fail
nigga got too much to prove
would have been, lost it, but I got too much to lose
say what you want about Joe but I stood my ground
bitch, I get it up myself you just put it down
they say I put my whole on display, to my dismay
stop it, you carry-in on without logic
let me tell you this about Joe
I only say you what I want you to hear
you only see what I want to show
crushing up the percepts
chasing the high, sadly
I couldn't make this shit up if I tried
the forecast shows a downpour
y'all just made God cry, praying for my downfall
This the shit I'm talking bout right here,
let me tell you niggas something
You can be anything in this World that you want, except for my downfall.
Check this
[Verse 2]
I'm a victim of society
circumstance or just feelings
was a nigga victimized or just willing
no blinds, no bags, just dealing
no foundation or floor plan, just building
check it, nights bright but the day's dark
covered in tattoo's, but hate art
these egg shell's I walk on are razor sharp
staring at the finish line, looking for a way to start
I've been called everything, an extremist
is that a bad thing or what they really mean is
anything a nigga do, a nigga mean it
and I won't let a person place a thing come between it
an opportunist is how they paint me
but if the nigga only knock once can you blame me
still I feel like my problems are great
shit if I don't ever solve em I'm straight
on the bright side, God chose me to put a lot on my plate
so I figured I wouldn't be bothered by the weight
I'm trying to change the pattern but it's on loop
even an outcast in my own group
what's it mean when everybody standing next to you
expects of you everything that comes with a spectacle
if everywhere I go I just leave behind residue
tell me, trust me, I won't think nothing less of you
[Chorus]
I'm sorry I ain't around more
come up with me or stay on the ground floor
I don't need shelter from the downpour
Y'all could be whatever you want, just not my downfall
they tryna make me slow, tryna take me, NO!
can't be my downfall
they tryna knock my grind
I won't stop, I'm fine
Can't be my downfall
[Verse 3]
No moment of clarity
the next fight showing is a rarity
severity of me against my growing popularity
rappers won't rap, I'm forced to believe they scared of me
but can no longer use the escape goat they not aware of me
so y'all can go and throw your little pot shots
some dudes dissed me and temporarily got hot
I'm getting my head right recollected
Y'all looking for some website resurrection
being that I got too much to lose
or maybe a slight chance that a nigga guilty
of all that I'm accused
no longer amused
affected my loved ones, now
they starting to bruise
and I don't want no parts of that abuse
wouldn't wish it upon my worst foe a day in my shoes
that'll just eliminate any excuse
and why entertain em
old me would' a lost my sense's
y'all just helping the new me regain em
been punched in the face,
it was either feed my family
or hunt with a .38
and I ain't want brunch to wait
I've outgrown hip hop
turned into a day care
so next time so shit is on my mind, it'll stay there
I'm staring at the man in the mirror
but it ain't helping see the man any clearer
so I get MIA from around y'all
till God stops answering these prayers for my downfall
[Chorus]
[Verse 4]
Tell me what am I to do
if I ain't have a soul a nigga always had you
pardon Dude, but I gotta speak candidly
How the FUCK!!! could you abandon me
with 5 years of blood sweat and tears
but there was obviously a disconnect
we turned that into a disrespect
said she been holding it inside for years, she's unhappy
so the girl I wanna marry was afraid to come and tap me
so I went away on tour
and you went on one of your own
and while you was on the horn all day, with old boy
did you ever think about what it would do to your home
what's his name, where's he live
what is it he offers? what's he got to give?
and I love you so much that when I caught onto your fibs
I hit you like a man, you wore it in your ribs
I was heated, but had to be strong enough to remove the infidelity
and see what's underneath it
come to find out you felt lied to and cheated
mistreated and kept it a big secret
or are you just loose
and I'm so naive I'm tryna give you an excuse
now that I refuse to believe
we life partners, holy water on whatever devil comes and try to part us
can't use anything I ever gave you to bury me
you supposed to be the one that bury me
you want to leave than goodbye
think the grass look greener on the other side
but it's dye
[Chorus]
In the first verse of Joe Budden's "Downfall," he expresses how he is no longer worried about being the good guy because he did not care before. He describes how people are interrupting his song with their pointless gossip and drama, but he is too busy trying to balance out his chemical imbalances. Joe Budden's second verse is more introspective as he describes himself as a victim of society who is just trying to find his way. He explains how he has been called an extremist, which may not necessarily be a bad thing, but simply something people say when a black man is being vocal and standing up for what he believes in. In the third verse, Joe Budden admits that he has a problem with addiction, but he is trying to work on himself. He also talks about how his growing popularity has had a negative impact on his life and how he has to deal with the consequences of his actions.
The chorus of the song contains the catchy refrain, "You can be anything in this World that you want, except for my downfall." This line speaks to Budden's determination to succeed no matter what challenges he faces. The fourth verse is especially personal as he addresses a past relationship that has ended due to infidelity. He is frustrated that the person he loves betrayed him, but he is still trying to give them the benefit of the doubt. Overall, the song speaks to Budden's struggles to maintain his mental health and clarity in the midst of fame and success.
Line by Line Meaning
Last thing I'm tryna be is the good guy now
I have no interest in being the good guy anymore
I ain't never gave a fuck, why should I now
I've never cared before, so why should I start caring now
Like the World's interrupting my song, with an interlude
The world is constantly disrupting my life, like an unwanted interruption
can't you'll see I'm busy trying to balance out my chemical
I'm occupied with trying to find equilibrium within myself
finishing up, what you ain't even begin to do
I'm completing tasks that you haven't even started
when your backs against the ropes it's either him or you
When faced with a difficult situation, it's a choice between survival or defeat
ya'll ain't so important that my words are meant for you
You all aren't significant enough for me to direct my words towards
when did everybody become so sensual
When did everyone become so concerned with their own desires and pleasure
caught up in the he say, she say
Caught up in gossip and rumors
blog sites, him and her, broke up
Blogs and websites spreading news about celebrities' relationships ending
World star, Nah right
Websites like WorldStarHipHop and NahRight
dumb fans, they believe, everything that y'all write
Ignorant fans who believe everything that is written by these websites
found out, friends fake, couldn't even facade right
Realized that my friends were fake, they couldn't even pretend properly
pressures on, wont fail
I'm under pressure but I won't give in
nigga got too much to prove
I have too much to prove
would have been, lost it, but I got too much to lose
I could have lost everything, but I have too much at stake
say what you want about Joe but I stood my ground
People can say whatever they want about me, but I have remained steadfast
bitch, I get it up myself you just put it down
I achieve my success on my own, while you just criticize
they say I put my whole on display, to my dismay
They claim that I expose my entire life, much to my disappointment
stop it, you carry-in on without logic
Stop it, you continue without any logical reasoning
let me tell you this about Joe
Let me tell you something about myself, Joe
I only say you what I want you to hear
I only say what I want you to hear
you only see what I want to show
You only see what I choose to reveal
crushing up the percepts
Grinding up the perceptions
chasing the high, sadly
I'm pursuing a feeling of euphoria, although it's a melancholy pursuit
I couldn't make this shit up if I tried
I couldn't fabricate this situation even if I attempted
the forecast shows a downpour
The future looks bleak
y'all just made God cry, praying for my downfall
You all have done something so terrible that it has upset God, as you are hoping for my failure
This the shit I'm talking bout right here
This is the exact thing I've been discussing
let me tell you niggas something
Let me inform you all about something
You can be anything in this World that you want, except for my downfall.
You have the potential to become anything you desire, except for causing my failure
Check this
Listen to this
I'm a victim of society
I'm a product of society's influence
circumstance or just feelings
My situation is either a result of circumstances or my emotions
was a nigga victimized or just willing
Was I targeted or did I willingly participate
no blinds, no bags, just dealing
No restrictions, no secrets, just dealing with reality
no foundation or floor plan, just building
No established base or plan, just building as I go
check it, nights bright but the day's dark
The nights may seem bright, but the days are dark
covered in tattoo's, but hate art
I am heavily tattooed, but I despise art
these egg shell's I walk on are razor sharp
The delicate situations I navigate are extremely dangerous
staring at the finish line, looking for a way to start
I'm focused on reaching the end, but I struggle to find a way to begin
I've been called everything, an extremist
I've been labeled many things, including an extremist
is that a bad thing or what they really mean is
Is that a negative trait or do they actually mean
anything a nigga do, a nigga mean it
Everything I do, I do with intention
and I won't let a person place a thing come between it
I won't allow anyone or anything to interfere with it
an opportunist is how they paint me
They portray me as someone who takes advantage of opportunities
but if the nigga only knock once can you blame me
But if opportunities are limited, can you blame me for seizing them
still I feel like my problems are great
I still feel like my problems are significant
shit if I don't ever solve em I'm straight
If I never solve them, I'll be fine
on the bright side, God chose me to put a lot on my plate
Looking on the positive side, I believe God entrusted me with many responsibilities
so I figured I wouldn't be bothered by the weight
So I thought I wouldn't be burdened by the pressure
I'm trying to change the pattern but it's on loop
I'm attempting to break the cycle, but it keeps repeating
even an outcast in my own group
I feel like an outsider even among my own peers
what's it mean when everybody standing next to you
What does it mean when everyone around you
expects of you everything that comes with a spectacle
Demands from you everything associated with being in the public eye
if everywhere I go I just leave behind residue
If wherever I go, I leave behind a lasting impact
tell me, trust me, I won't think nothing less of you
Tell me, trust me, I won't think any less of you
I'm sorry I ain't around more
I apologize for not being present more often
come up with me or stay on the ground floor
Either rise with me or remain at a lower level
I don't need shelter from the downpour
I don't need protection from the hardships
they tryna make me slow, tryna take me, NO!
They are attempting to hinder my progress, trying to bring me down, but I won't allow it
can't be my downfall
Won't be the cause of my failure
they tryna knock my grind
They are trying to disrupt my hustle
I won't stop, I'm fine
I won't quit, I'm doing well
Can't be my downfall
Won't be the cause of my failure
No moment of clarity
I haven't had any moments of clear understanding
the next fight showing is a rarity
The next opportunity for a confrontation is rare
severity of me against my growing popularity
The significance of my struggle against my increasing fame
rappers won't rap, I'm forced to believe they scared of me
Other rappers refuse to engage in rap battles, leading me to believe they are afraid of me
but can no longer use the escape goat they not aware of me
But they can't use ignorance as an excuse anymore, they are aware of me
so y'all can go and throw your little pot shots
So go ahead and take your weak shots at me
some dudes dissed me and temporarily got hot
Some guys dissed me and temporarily gained popularity
I'm getting my head right recollected
I'm focusing on getting myself mentally and emotionally in a better place
Y'all looking for some website resurrection
You all are searching for a revival of your relevance through websites
being that I got too much to lose
Because I have too much to lose
or maybe a slight chance that a nigga guilty
Or perhaps there is a slight chance that I am guilty
of all that I'm accused
Of everything I've been accused of
no longer amused
I'm no longer entertained
affected my loved ones, now they starting to bruise
My actions have hurt my loved ones, and now they are emotionally wounded
and I don't want no parts of that abuse
And I don't want to be involved in that mistreatment
wouldn't wish it upon my worst foe a day in my shoes
I wouldn't want even my worst enemy to experience what I have gone through
that'll just eliminate any excuse
That would remove any justification
and why entertain em
And why should I indulge those people
old me would' a lost my sense's
The old me would have lost my sanity
y'all just helping the new me regain em
You all are helping the new version of me to regain my sanity
been punched in the face,
I've been physically assaulted
it was either feed my family
In that situation, I had to choose between providing for my family
or hunt with a .38
Or resort to illegal activities to survive
and I ain't want brunch to wait
I didn't want to delay taking care of my responsibilities
I've outgrown hip hop
I've surpassed the confines of hip hop music
turned into a day care
It has become like a daycare center
so next time so shit is on my mind, it'll stay there
So next time something is bothering me, I'll keep it to myself
I'm staring at the man in the mirror
I'm looking at myself in the mirror
but it ain't helping see the man any clearer
But it doesn't provide me with a clearer understanding of myself
so I get MIA from around y'all
So I distance myself from all of you
till God stops answering these prayers for my downfall
Until God stops granting the prayers that wish for my failure
Tell me what am I to do
Please tell me what I am supposed to do
if I ain't have a soul a nigga always had you
If I didn't have a soul, I always had you
pardon Dude, but I gotta speak candidly
Sorry, but I have to speak honestly
How the FUCK!!! could you abandon me
How the fuck could you leave me behind
with 5 years of blood sweat and tears
After dedicating five years with hard work and dedication
but there was obviously a disconnect
But there was clearly a lack of connection
we turned that into a disrespect
We allowed that to turn into disrespect towards each other
said she been holding it inside for years, she's unhappy
She confessed to holding her feelings inside for years, and she's unhappy
so the girl I wanna marry was afraid to come and tap me
So the woman I want to marry was scared to approach me
so I went away on tour
So I went on tour
and you went on one of your own
And you went on your own tour
and while you was on the horn all day, with old boy
And while you were on the phone with another guy all day
did you ever think about what it would do to your home
Did you ever consider the consequences on our relationship
what's his name, where's he live
What's his name, where does he live
what is it he offers? what's he got to give?
What does he provide? What does he have to offer?
and I love you so much that when I caught onto your fibs
And I love you so deeply that when I discovered your lies
I hit you like a man, you wore it in your ribs
I confronted you like a man, and you felt the impact
I was heated, but had to be strong enough to remove the infidelity
I was angry, but I had to find the strength to address and forgive the cheating
and see what's underneath it
And understand the root cause
come to find out you felt lied to and cheated
To discover that you also felt deceived and cheated
mistreated and kept it a big secret
Mistreated and kept it as a significant secret
or are you just loose
Or are you just promiscuous
and I'm so naive I'm tryna give you an excuse
And I'm so trusting that I'm trying to find a justification for your behavior
now that I refuse to believe
But now I'm unwilling to believe
we life partners, holy water on whatever devil comes and try to part us
We are life partners, protected by holy water against any obstacle that tries to separate us
can't use anything I ever gave you to bury me
You can't use anything I've given you to harm me
you supposed to be the one that bury me
You were supposed to be the one to support and protect me
you want to leave than goodbye
If you want to leave, then goodbye
think the grass look greener on the other side
Believe that things will be better elsewhere
but it's dye
But it's all an illusion
and I ain't want brunch to wait
And I didn't want to delay taking care of my responsibilities
I've outgrown hip hop
I've surpassed the confines of hip hop music
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
L͎L͎C͎
"Crushing up a Percocet, chasing a high" -Joe Budden
He was way ahead of his time, if this would've dropped now!?
Joe created so many avenues you hear in certain stars now.
He sacrificed his personal life for music, he's so transparent- he bleeds on tracks
It's been 3 years or so since I've been here.. used to have this on repeat so many times
Mxolisi Ntsele
2019 I'm still here. Timeless music. Joe, one of the greatest of all time.
Tomob
Absolutely
viking beard vikingbeard
2021 and I'm still listening to his music..💪🏽💪🏽
Hector Davis
2022
King Wello
2022 and he still the big goat .. he started all that emo rap shit
Iron Sharpens Iron
Crazy a lot of people don’t know how great Joey is…music nowadays don’t touch the soul like it used to….this shit still gives me chills
L͎L͎C͎
"Crushing up a Percocet, chasing a high" -Joe Budden
He was way ahead of his time, if this would've dropped now!?
Joe created so many avenues you hear in certain stars now.
He sacrificed his personal life for music, he's so transparent- he bleeds on tracks
It's been 3 years or so since I've been here.. used to have this on repeat so many times
Peewee Stevens
Facts. Dude gave a lot of cats hot now a name by using his style and lyrical content
Coach Simons
This track alone has gotten me through so much … built a foundation of F the world and focus on ME, motivated , 🔥 go and get it. If you ain’t riding with me, supporting me, praying for me … get out of my way!
Josh MacGregor
I never really understood Joey until recently. It's songs like this and All of Me that make him the best at what he does. Not only can he write amazing punches, he really knows how to express his feelings on a track, and that's what hip-hop is all about: expression.