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.
Freight Train
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
with ubsurded things like I was 13
when he burst on the scene
that eventually hurt Keem
got a tool, when he stole from dad
thought it'd be cool
to play show and tell so he took it to school
he in class with it, stylin for mad bitches
but that buiscut will only lead to bad business
moms on dope, dads just ridiculous
that leaves a menace, wantin to be king
but they one in the same both runnin from pain
but the laughter it fell from his face
when it fell from his waist
and hit Ramell by mistake
tried as an adult, facin a long bid
but the charge might change gotta see if the lil boy lives
Yo, self, pity, chasin, wealth
could be sickly if ya fend for yaself in city like nitty
who sold dope his whole life, the nigga sold dope to his own wife
he knew her death would come soon
bein real how much drugs could she consume
even hid guns in his sons room
but they dont know its a secret believe it
he dont want them to get hit the way that he did
house raided, drove by the house sprayed it
ran in stole his stash, spouse naked
its real here, he thankful that he still here
caught'em nine times he'll easily take the wheelchair
old hustla's cant escape old madness
get the same results dealin with old habits
which makes nitty a lifetime sufferer
who thinks it'll be ight since he lives with his very best customer
Yo, his spited vengence, moreso extensive
revenge is best served cold but its expensive
near steps, to revenge is near death
he disappears stressed reappears witha tech
you kill his dog, he gone kill your cat
hispops killed his mother so he killed his dad
in his head he like god damnit he crept over
with the same gun his pop planted that he slept over
raised as a killa from an age thats a thrilla
age with no filta and that rage is familiar now
faith has him sleepin over that guy responsible for
that black patch over his eye
pillow over al's face he leaned over and cried
he sighed and said your parents wont know that you died
death penalty, no annesty just insanity
clock ticks on the last member of his immediate family
The lyrics to "Freight Train" by Joe Budden tell the stories of three individuals who are trapped in a cycle of pain, violence, and self-destructive behavior. The first verse introduces a young boy who finds his father's firearm and brings it to school, accidentally shooting another student. He is now facing severe consequences and uncertain of the fate of the victim. The second verse revolves around "Nitty," a drug dealer who hides guns in his own home and even sells drugs to his wife. Despite his actions, Nitty doesn't want his loved ones to suffer the same fate he did. However, his life takes a turn when his house gets raided and his stash stolen, leaving him vulnerable and grateful to have survived. The final verse is about a man seeking revenge for the deaths of his mother and father. He becomes a killer himself, taking on a mission to eliminate those responsible for his family's tragedies. In the end, he states that he is the last remaining member of his immediate family, alluding to the destructive nature of his pursuit.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, shakers, movers, haters, rapists, losers, liars, takers, shooters
Referring to various types of people who are involved in negative actions or behaviors.
with ubsurded things like I was 13
Recalling the singer's involvement in questionable activities at a young age.
when he burst on the scene
Describing the impact or entrance of a person into a particular situation.
that eventually hurt Keem
Indicating that the actions taken had negative consequences for a person named Keem.
got a tool, when he stole from dad
Obtaining a weapon by taking it without permission from the artist's father.
thought it'd be cool
to play show and tell so he took it to school
Displaying a lack of judgment or understanding by bringing the weapon to school.
he in class with it, stylin for mad bitches
Showing off or impressing others, particularly women, while having the weapon in class.
nickle bag lifted, its sad cuz he mad gifted
Highlighting the artist's talent or skill, which contrasts with the negative actions being described.
but that buiscut will only lead to bad business
Implying that possessing the weapon will ultimately result in negative consequences.
moms on dope, dads just ridiculous
Describing the problematic behaviors or situations involving the artist's mother and father.
that leaves a menace, wantin to be king
Expressing a sense of frustration or anger, desiring to have power or control.
but they one in the same both runnin from pain
Highlighting the similarity or connection between the artist's parents, both trying to escape emotional distress.
but the laughter it fell from his face
when it fell from his waist
and hit Ramell by mistake
Describing a moment of sudden realization and dread when a weapon accidentally causes harm to someone named Ramell.
tried as an adult, facin a long bid
but the charge might change gotta see if the lil boy lives
Referring to the legal process where the singer will potentially be treated as an adult for their actions, but hoping that the consequences can be less severe due to the age of Ramell.
Yo, self, pity, chasin, wealth
Describing the singer's focus on personal gain and material success while also feeling sorry for themselves.
could be sickly if ya fend for yaself in city like nitty
Emphasizing the difficulties and challenges of surviving in a city environment like 'nitty' or gritty.
who sold dope his whole life, the nigga sold dope to his own wife
Depicting a person who has been involved in drug dealing for their entire life, including selling drugs to their spouse.
he knew her death would come soon
bein real how much drugs could she consume
Acknowledging the harmful effects of drugs on the singer's wife and the expectation of her impending death.
even hid guns in his sons room
Revealing the singer's irresponsible and dangerous actions of storing firearms in their own child's room.
but they dont know its a secret believe it
he dont want them to get hit the way that he did
Keeping the existence of the firearms hidden from others to protect them from experiencing the same harm as the artist did.
house raided, drove by the house sprayed it
ran in stole his stash, spouse naked
Describing a situation where the artist's house is raided by law enforcement, leading to the theft of drugs and the exposure of their spouse in a vulnerable state.
its real here, he thankful that he still here
caught'em nine times he'll easily take the wheelchair
Expressing gratitude for still being alive despite multiple encounters with law enforcement, indicating a willingness to resort to violence if necessary.
old hustla's cant escape old madness
get the same results dealin with old habits
Highlighting the difficulty for individuals with a history of hustling or illegal activities to break free from their old patterns, often leading to negative outcomes.
which makes nitty a lifetime sufferer
who thinks it'll be ight since he lives with his very best customer
Describing a person named 'nitty' as someone who continually experiences suffering or hardship, despite mistakenly thinking that their situation will improve due to their close relationship with their best customer.
Yo, his spited vengence, moreso extensive
revenge is best served cold but its expensive
Acknowledging the singer's deep-seated desire for revenge, which has become more intense over time, emphasizing that revenge can be emotionally and morally costly.
near steps, to revenge is near death
he disappears stressed reappears witha tech
Implying that seeking revenge brings the singer closer to potential danger or harm, causing them to temporarily withdraw and then reemerge with a firearm.
you kill his dog, he gone kill your cat
hispops killed his mother so he killed his dad
Describing a cycle of violence where the singer, motivated by vengeance, targets someone's loved ones in response to the harm caused to their own family members.
in his head he like god damnit he crept over
with the same gun his pop planted that he slept over
Portraying the artist's internal frustration and anger as they confront the person responsible for their family's tragedies using the same weapon that was originally hidden in their household.
raised as a killa from an age thats a thrilla
age with no filta and that rage is familiar now
Describing an upbringing that exposed the artist to violence and fostered a sense of excitement, leading to a lack of restraint and a familiar feeling of rage.
faith has him sleepin over that guy responsible for
that black patch over his eye
Suggesting that the singer's conviction or belief in their quest for revenge causes them to constantly think about the person responsible for their eye injury, symbolized by a black patch.
pillow over al's face he leaned over and cried
he sighed and said your parents wont know that you died
Depicting a moment of emotional vulnerability and remorse as the singer smothers someone named Al, expressing regret and assuring them that their parents will not be aware of their death.
death penalty, no annesty just insanity
clock ticks on the last member of his immediate family
Referring to the artist's imminent execution or severe punishment, emphasizing the absence of forgiveness or mercy and highlighting the loss of their entire family.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CJL96
Love the Metallica sample. That's two songs now to my knowledge that Joe's sampled Metallica. There could be more but I can't think of any
SwervinOnDemFoez FKA SODH*ez
Unforgiven was 2pac level, and im not even one of those people that put joe in pacs light
whiteboynigg
rap isnt dead as long as dudes like joe are still breathing
redd iamuzik
He really needs to cook up some more shit like this man we miss ya out here mouse wya!! Get back in the lab man
OriginalCxHxUxD
I'm pissed that this only has 50,000 views like Joe Budden is the most underrated rapper in this business
MomentOFClarity X
joe can be a very good script writer, something people could relate in real life!
sh06un
"Then its comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way" Metallica Rulz and Joe does as well coz he likes Metallica XD XD XD XD
I.K. 0107
Thanks sosdakid, even though Three sides to a Story is a much better storytelling track of his, this is just sick. Joe Budden: Lyrical beast
Juan
"revenge is best served cold but its expensive"
FailToFail45
this is just amazing !! i fucking love JOE BUDDEN !!