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.
Good Enough
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothings ever good enough
Hollywood, think he too good for us
Niggas emo, he ain't in the hood enough
How bout hes just misunderstood to us
Vision is fine, I can still hear
So I pop one more till everything is unclear
Cause... nothings ever good enough
Wonder where his mind is
If everyone's depression is wrong, then maybe mine is
Jury's out, but the verdicts in
Case ain't been heard, so how they murdering him
I appear to be arrogant, that's what they instilled in me
Took it as a weakness when I showed them humility
Insensitive, don't waste time tryin' to tell me what
Emotions is, I'm emotionless
I can't explain it, it comes from home
Make me uncomfortable and you gonna put me in a comfort zone
Double as me, feel what I feel and know hes strugglin'
Be trying to get depression and suffer from me
When your heads cluttered with noise you get lost
Am I isolated by choice or by force?
Listen, the fuck y'all expect from me
Already givin' y'all the best in me, but it seem like...
[Chorus]
The fluck is going on around here?
Contriving and conforming is the norm around here
It's tension, speak up and violence gets mentioned
In a world where everybody gets by off silenced opinions
And so I cut the red tape and the politics
Know it's there, I'm just the only nigga to acknowledge it
Learn from the acts that came before ya and retain the lawyer
They told me once you get the fame, you get the paranoia
They say that he a has-been, irrelevant
But every word I say, niggas get hella bent
Tell you why I'm off of the charts or on the bottom of your bracket
I rap through the heart and some niggas lack it
So I get why I'm greeted with spite, got nerve being the truth
Life's fine with them believing a lie
Even I no longer know what to expect from me
But y'all have yet to see the best in me, still it seem like...
[Chorus]
Check it, I want it all that's why I strive for it
Diss me and you normally hear a reply for it
But I'm starting my maturation and ignore em
Let 'em continue their masturbation
Say my actions don't match what I'm spittin'
So I tell 'em mind they business and let me stray
They say that you becoming a walking contradiction
I tell 'em people change everyday
I tell 'em I been making my own decisions since a teen
Tell me who the fuck is y'all to intervene, here's a lesson
I'm good enough for me, a nigga seem to be perfection
Fifty grand, V.I.P., queens and perfection
Far from a beginner, nigga ain't a white belt
Cry me a river, and I'll turn into Mike Phelps
I'm just giving y'all the best in me
And y'all just turn that into stress for me and so it seem like
[Chorus]
In "Good Enough," rapper Joe Budden expresses his frustration with the world's constant expectations for him to be perfect. He addresses the criticism he faces from fans and the industry, questioning whether his depression is valid and wondering if he's isolated by choice or force. He confronts the politics and conformity of the music industry, acknowledging the paranoia that comes with fame. Despite this, he remains determined to be true to himself and makes his own decisions.
Throughout the song, Budden repeats the phrase "nothings ever good enough," emphasizing his feelings of inadequacy and the pressure he faces. He also discusses his emotions, or lack thereof, questioning if he's emotionless and talking about how uncomfortable he gets when people try to understand him. Ultimately, the song is a reflection on the ups and downs of fame and Budden's struggle to stay true to himself in the face of criticism.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothings ever good enough
Joe feels like no matter what he does or achieves, it's never enough for himself or others.
Hollywood, think he too good for us
People think Joe has changed since becoming famous and doesn't relate to his roots anymore.
Niggas emo, he ain't in the hood enough
People label Joe as 'emo' and distant from his community.
How bout hes just misunderstood to us
Joe thinks people judge him unfairly without really understanding who he is.
Vision is fine, I can still hear
Even though Joe is emotionally troubled, he still has clarity in his perspective and communication.
So I pop one more till everything is unclear
Joe turns to drugs or alcohol as an escape from his problems and emotions.
I appear to be arrogant, that's what they instilled in me
Joe's attitude is often misinterpreted as arrogance, stemming from his upbringing and learned behavior.
Insensitive, don't waste time tryin' to tell me what Emotions is, I'm emotionless
Joe has become desensitized and numb towards emotions due to his own struggles and experiences.
Am I isolated by choice or by force?
Joe questions whether he is choosing to isolate himself or if it's a result of outside circumstances.
Contriving and conforming is the norm around here
Joe feels like society pressures individuals to conform and hide their true selves.
I'm just giving y'all the best in me
Joe feels like he's already putting his all into his music and art, but it never seems to be enough for others.
Here's a lesson, I'm good enough for me, a nigga seem to be perfection
Joe has learned to accept himself as he is, even if others don't agree or understand him.
And y'all just turn that into stress for me and so it seem like
People's criticism and expectations only add more pressure and stress to Joe's life, making it seem like he can never do enough.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kevin Aubrey
I'm in a bad place mentally lately I turn him on and feel like at least I know I'm not the only one in the world that feels like I do. I appreciate this music and message he brings
BATTLE TESTED
Turn him off he brings you down wit him he is great at relating though he loves company
Charletti Capo Capone
Here wit all yall no matter how long it's been this song always capture the moment
Randy Chambers
Hope you're still fighting the good fight.
Don’t Fall 4 The Hype
TALKSiiCK you real bro
Don’t Fall 4 The Hype
I’m here will y’all !
FloridaMan56Ace
This whole tape is fire. I think maybe his most overlooked.
KeepitThoro247
This album connects the most
Angela Birley
True
Restlessnreal107 Xx
Cried to this today but finally felt like I wasn’t alone. Thank you Joe