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.
Gangsta Lean
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
WOOAH (WOOAH)
Wooah that girl
Shhh (Shht shht)
I wanna Woouuf you girl
[Chorus]
Oooh that girl, she's on the scene
She be my Lean
Oooh that girl, she's in the crowd
I see her looking, she wanna get down
[Verse 1]
Let's jump off, where there's no sleep for days
Regular Joe's on the creep again
If you 'bout it then prove that girl
Show me you know how to that girl
Like who's that girl taking over me, I'm the all as if that don't make her notice me
I don't Curr- 'bout her man, I don't Curr- if she faithfull
I only came out to see what I can Fanai-go
She got boots, Highlights she very use to
Lipgloss, Fragrance smelling like Cherry Nu-Gla
Everything that she rock she look fine in it
When she relaxing, baby is air clining it
I got it bad for diva, I holla back
But if she holla back, is proud as her Rep
Now, can we get it, poppin', Boo
Cuz you watching me, but I'm watching you
[Chorus]
Oooh that girl, she's on the scene
She be my gangsta
She be my Lean
Oooh that girl, she's in the crowd
I see her looking, she wanna get down
[Verse 2]
Now things look a little more lively
I'm starting to think she really likes me
Her body is starting to hipnotize me
I'm 'bout to forget I got a wifey
Look how she clings to me, I'm picturing her doing bad things to me
Like up all ya is going down
Oh, Oh yo she's going down
But for real, for real, on the really real
You ain't got to go yet, don't be silly could chill
Hope later on if she feeling me still, I'm like "What's really good, What's really the deal"
If you looking for that perfect man to hold you down ma
Then *sip* this nigga, slow it down ma
But holla if you need a ride back boo
Or just for the record, know that I'm that Nucca
[Chorus]
[Hook]
[Verse 3]
Are you the type to give it up when you sleep with the rest
Or the type that like this and say it's deeper than sex
I know, You got a 2-way I need that contact
Let's hit the dace floor I need that contact
Ma, I got big plans for us
She's a freak, she's skandalous
Cuz the blue jeans I see Vicky Inprints
We can puff off like Nikki Infrants
Cuz I like how you do that, damn
Pretty lady gone do that dance
I got my fresh Nike's, Full pockets, and a crisp white Tee
Understand I'm feeling good 'bout me
By now, who's that, my side, all night
And no I'm not drunk, but I'm high off life
I tried to talk, but she ate me, dude
Cuz she big on me, like I'm big on... (Big on...)
[Chorus] - repeat to fade
The Joe Budden's song "Gangsta Lean" is about a man who is attracted to a woman at a party or a club. He is mesmerized by her beauty and her style. The chorus emphasizes her presence in the room as he admires her gangsta personality and lean body. He is determined to impress her and prove that he's the man she deserves. The first verse is an introduction to the woman and how he sees her, describing her fashion choices and the way she carries herself. He is intrigued by her and wants her to notice him. The chorus is repeated with more emphasis, as he feels that the woman is really interested in him. In the second verse, his confidence grows as he imagines her doing bad things to him. He's willing to risk his relationship with his partner if it means he can spend time with her. He feels lucky to be dancing with her, and he wants to spend more time with her. He ends the song by declaring his attraction to her, hoping that she feels the same way.
Line by Line Meaning
WOOAH (WOOAH)
An exclamation of excitement, indicating a change in mood to enthusiasm
Wooah that girl
There is a girl who has caught the singer's attention
Shhh (Shht shht)
An indication of quieting down, signaling the start of something secret or intimate
I wanna Woouuf you girl
The artist desires to connect with the girl in a physical, sexual manner
Oooh that girl, she's on the scene
The girl has a noticeable presence, perhaps due to her beauty or overall appeal
She be my gangsta
The girl has a tough, streetwise quality that the singer finds attractive
She be my Lean
The girl is someone whom the singer can rely on, someone who has his back
Oooh that girl, she's in the crowd
The girl is in close proximity to the artist, in the same general location or vicinity
I see her looking, she wanna get down
The girl is showing signs of interest, possibly wanting to connect with the artist on a physical or social level
Let's jump off, where there's no sleep for days
The artist proposes a plan to engage in a high-energy, non-stop activity for an extended period of time
Regular Joe's on the creep again
The singer is an average person who is seeking excitement or adventure
If you 'bout it then prove that girl
The artist challenges the girl to demonstrate her level of interest or commitment to the plan
Show me you know how to that girl
The singer wants the girl to show that she knows how to have fun and participate in the activity
Like who's that girl taking over me, I'm the all as if that don't make her notice me
The girl's presence is so overwhelming that the singer feels that he is losing control, but he hopes that it will make her take notice of him
I don't Curr- 'bout her man, I don't Curr- if she faithfull
The singer is not concerned about the girl's relationship status or faithfulness to her partner
I only came out to see what I can Fanai-go
The artist is seeking to have a good time and is open to various possibilities
She got boots, Highlights she very use to
The girl is fashionable and comfortable with her style choices
Lipgloss, Fragrance smelling like Cherry Nu-Gla
The girl's lip gloss and fragrance have a sweet, cherry-like scent
Everything that she rock she look fine in it
The girl has a great sense of fashion and looks good in anything she wears
When she relaxing, baby is air clining it
Even when the girl is just lounging or relaxing, she looks amazing
I got it bad for diva, I holla back
The artist has a strong attraction to the girl and will respond positively to any advances she makes towards him
But if she holla back, is proud as her Rep
If the girl responds positively, she will be seen as confident and self-assured
Now, can we get it, poppin', Boo
The singer is asking if they can start having fun and enjoying each other's company
Cuz you watching me, but I'm watching you
The artist is aware of the girl's interest in him, but he is also interested in her
Now things look a little more lively
The activity has progressed and things are starting to become more exciting
I'm starting to think she really likes me
The singer is picking up on the girl's signals and feels that she is interested in him
Her body is starting to hipnotize me
The girl's physical features are becoming increasingly seductive and alluring
I'm 'bout to forget I got a wifey
The artist is becoming so consumed with the girl's attractiveness that he is starting to forget about his real-life commitments
Look how she clings to me, I'm picturing her doing bad things to me
The girl is getting physically close to the artist, which is causing him to have impure thoughts
Like up all ya is going down
The singer is excited about the prospect of engaging in a sexual encounter with the girl
Oh, Oh yo she's going down
The girl is willingly engaging in the activity with the singer
But for real, for real, on the really real
The artist is emphasizing that he is being sincere and genuine
You ain't got to go yet, don't be silly could chill
The artist is asking the girl to stay and not rush off, suggesting that they can continue to have fun and hang out together
Hope later on if she feeling me still, I'm like "What's really good, What's really the deal"
The artist is hoping that the girl will continue to be interested in him and is already thinking about their future interactions
If you looking for that perfect man to hold you down ma
The singer is acknowledging that the girl may be seeking a committed relationship and is preparing to make a pitch for himself
Then *sip* this nigga, slow it down ma
The artist is saying that if the girl wants someone who is cool and collected, he is that person
But holla if you need a ride back boo
The singer is offering to give the girl a ride home if she needs it
Or just for the record, know that I'm that Nucca
The singer is confidently asserting that he is the one for the girl
Are you the type to give it up when you sleep with the rest
The singer is questioning the girl's sexual history and tendencies
Or the type that like this and say it's deeper than sex
The artist is asking if the girl is the type to believe that a sexual encounter can have deeper meaning or significance
I know, You got a 2-way I need that contact
The artist is asking for the girl's contact information and thinks that she has a 2-way pager
Let's hit the dace floor I need that contact
The singer is suggesting that they hit the dance floor and get close to each other
Ma, I got big plans for us
The singer is indicating that he has grand ideas for their future together
She's a freak, she's skandalous
The girl is open-minded and willing to engage in unconventional activities
Cuz the blue jeans I see Vicky Inprints
The girl's blue jeans are so tight that an imprint of her body can be seen when she stands still
We can puff off like Nikki Infrants
The artist is suggesting that they engage in drug use together, like the musician Nikki Infante
Cuz I like how you do that, damn
The singer is attracted to the girl's dance moves and finds them alluring
Pretty lady gone do that dance
The artist is encouraging the girl to show off her dancing skills
I got my fresh Nike's, Full pockets, and a crisp white Tee
The singer is detailing his outfit and is feeling good about himself
Understand I'm feeling good 'bout me
The singer has high self-esteem and is confident in his own abilities
By now, who's that, my side, all night
The girl is still next to the singer and has been with him all night
And no I'm not drunk, but I'm high off life
The artist is not under the influence of alcohol, but he feels amazing because of the experiences of the night
I tried to talk, but she ate me, dude
The girl is dominating the conversation and the artist is having trouble getting a word in
Cuz she big on me, like I'm big on... (Big on...)
The girl is attracted to the singer in a big way and is demonstrating her interest outright
Contributed by Elliot F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
dieselshug
sounds like old 04-05 Joe, but never heard this track...Cool though
RaRah the GHOST
Joe budden Inception remake on my page