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.
Interlude
Joe Budden Lyrics
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Shit baby, turn over turn over
Take that take that, look at look what you got
You got me doing Puff Daddy in this pussy
I’m Puffy in this pussy take that take that
The best pussy I’ve ever had
Like I must be jammed, I’m drinkin this pussy
Yea I’m giving love to this pussy, I’mma kill this pussy
Slaughterhouse this pussy
I'mma do the Hammer Dance
Uh that's some shit!
You like that yeah, I’m gonna cum for you
I’ll cum for you right now
I’m cumming for you like you a enemy
Goddamn you tryna make me Big Sean in this pussy
Oh God, oh God
Big Sean in this shit
Oh shit this gon' be tough
God
Why the fuck you still going?
Alright, alright baby
Yea I’m bout to get in here, switch position for a minute
The song "Role Play" by Joe Budden is a graphic and sexually explicit song that describes his experience of being intimate with a woman. The lyrics are filled with metaphors and comparisons to other hip-hop artists that emphasize the intensity of the experience. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics, which are explicitly sexual and describe the different positions and actions during the act. He compares himself to music mogul Puff Daddy, stating that he is Puffy in the woman's vagina, and he is going to give it all his love and attention.
The lyrics become increasingly intense, as he talks about making the woman bleed, as if it's a competition or challenge. Budden mentions other rap artists and their signature dances during the act, such as the Hammer Dance, to further emphasize the intensity and energy of the moment. He notes that he is about to climax like an enemy being defeated, adding another layer of aggression to the experience. The song concludes with him telling the woman that he is about to switch positions, implying that the experience will continue.
Overall, the lyrics of "Role Play" are incredibly explicit and meant for adult audiences. The song provides an insight into the sexual experiences and desires of Joe Budden while using metaphors and comparisons to other hip-hop artists to heighten the intensity of the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Shit, goddamn is it tight
Wow, this feels amazing
Shit baby, turn over turn over
Please change your position
Take that take that, look at look what you got
You're enjoying this, aren't you?
You got me doing Puff Daddy in this pussy
You're making me feel like a superstar
I’m Puffy in this pussy take that take that
I'm giving you my all
The best pussy I’ve ever had
This is the most enjoyable sex I've had
Like I must be jammed, I’m drinkin this pussy
I'm savoring every moment
Yea I’m giving love to this pussy, I’mma kill this pussy
I'm loving every minute of this intense experience
Yea I’mma slow down, I’mma make that pussy bleed
I'm going to take it slow and make sure you feel everything
Slaughterhouse this pussy
I'm going to give you the best sex of your life
I'mma do the Hammer Dance
I'm going to keep going all night long
Uh that's some shit!
This is unbelievable
You like that yeah, I’m gonna cum for you
You're enjoying this and I'm going to finish strong
I’ll cum for you right now
I'm about to reach the peak of pleasure
I’m cumming for you like you a enemy
I'm releasing all my passion and intensity
Goddamn you tryna make me Big Sean in this pussy
You're pushing me to give my all and make you feel amazing
Oh God, oh God
This is mind-blowing
Big Sean in this shit
I'm going all out to make sure you feel incredible
Oh shit this gon' be tough
This is going to be intense and challenging
God
This is incredible
Why the fuck you still going?
You're amazing, I don't want to stop
Alright, alright baby
Let's slow down and enjoy this
Yea I’m bout to get in here, switch position for a minute
Let's try something new and keep the excitement going
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMANNY SALGADO, JOSEPH ANTHONY BUDDEN, RICHARD VALLEY, SHARODD KARON GRAHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind