Interview Part 1
Joe Budden Lyrics

I'm right here per your request, now you stuck in them shoes
I'm here because you asked me to be, and now you're in a difficult situation.

No alliances with Meek, it's still fuck him too
I have no alliances with Meek Mill and I still dislike him.

Before we start, to the fans, I'm uncomfortable too
Just like the fans, I feel uneasy about this situation.

Stuck in the booth feelin' like y'all 'cause I got love for the dude
I'm stuck in the recording booth feeling the same as you all because I still have love for this person.

But now my phone blowin' up, they're like what I'm gonna do?
My phone keeps ringing, and everyone is asking me what I'm going to do about this situation.

Show the world you shouldn't poke a man with nothin' to lose
I'm going to show the world that you shouldn't provoke someone who has nothing to lose.

All of this just because I wasn't in love with his Views
All of this drama is happening simply because I didn't like his album 'Views'.

Whatever happened, I just know they got me fuckin' confused, hey
I don't know exactly what happened, but I know they have me feeling extremely confused.

Mic check, mic check
Testing the microphone.

One two, one two
Testing the sound levels.

Wait a minute!
Pause for a moment.

I'm happy, I'm honored, I'm, I'm, I'm honored to be around you, man
I feel happy and privileged to be in your presence, man.

Yo c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
Encouragement and excitement to proceed or hurry up.

Okay so I can't be honest on your network here?
Am I not allowed to be honest while being interviewed on your network?

I can't be honest to your fans and say I'm honored to be around you?
Am I not allowed to be honest with your fans and express my honor to be in your presence?

It ain't an honor to be around me!
Being in my presence is not an honor!

We all used to listen to you so I don't even, you need to learn how to take compliments.
We all used to be fans of yours, so you should learn how to accept compliments.

Don't say that in vain, he's one of the best. You know that, right?
Don't say it as an empty statement; he is truly one of the best. You know that, right?

What up? What up?
Greeting or asking what is happening.

I said don't say it in vain, you know he's one of the best
I already told you not to say it as an empty statement; you know he is one of the best.

Nah it's all love
No, it's all love and positivity.

Look, enough of the sentimental crap
Stop with the overly emotional and sappy talk.

Cool if you into that
If you're into that kind of thing, that's fine.

Fuck all of these subs, who they intended at?
I don't care about all these subtle insults, who are they aimed at?

I won't believe it's me without forensic facts
I won't believe any accusations or claims without concrete evidence.

They don't normally mention Black when pennin' their raps
They usually don't mention me, a black rapper, in their lyrics.

But then I listen back, I heard a pinch of sass
But when I listen closely, I can hear a hint of disrespect.

Tender ass Teddy come around, he gon' get pinned to grass
If soft Teddy comes around, he will be exposed and brought down.

I come around with every inch of the mag
I come prepared and fully armed.

I'm a wordsmith forreal, you thought Quentin was bad
I am a skilled and talented lyricist, even better than Quentin Miller.

You made me proud, lad, but it seems my child mad
You made me proud, but it seems like my child is angry.

With all the clout that he grabbed, it's still doubts from his dad
Despite the fame and influence he has gained, there are still doubts coming from his own father.

Look, this ain't promotional, you just emotional
This is not a promotional tactic; you're just being overly emotional.

No doubt you got Starbucks, all that Joe in you
You definitely have a lot of arrogance and inflated ego, just like Starbucks has 'Joe' in its name.

I part his reign lightnin' fast, just what Joseph do
I will end his reign and dominance quickly, just as Joseph did in the Bible.

A black cloud all over the 6, check the overview
There is a negative atmosphere hanging over Toronto, as represented by the nickname 'the 6'.

You're so indirect, shit wasn't real clear
You are being vague and indirect, making it difficult to understand the true meaning.

Either Jimmy actin' or he really miss a wheelchair
Either Jimmy (Drake) is pretending, or he genuinely wants to go back to using a wheelchair.

What he don't know is we the most kindred of souls
What he doesn't realize is that we are the most similar and connected individuals.

I should've did this two Kendricks ago
I should have confronted him and addressed this issue a long time ago, just like I did with Kendrick Lamar.

He wanna sing? Well let's get into the show, commence my role
He wants to engage in a singing competition? Well, let's get on with the show and let me play my part.

For Jodeci, Boyz II Men, we at the end of the road
Just like the groups Jodeci and Boyz II Men, we are at the end of our relationship or friendship.

I figure he's that close to his death to know the reaper
I believe he is so close to experiencing a great downfall or failure that he can almost feel the presence of the reaper (symbolizing death).

In fitted sweats with old sneakers, the flow ether
Wearing casual attire and rapping with a powerful and intoxicating flow.

Gassed 'cause he KO'd Omeeka, no Joe's deeper
He is feeling overconfident and boastful because he had a victory over the duo 'Omeeka', but my skills run much deeper than that.

Quick to put extension on singer, that's Moesha
I am quick to add a verse or rap over a singer's track, similar to how the character Moesha (played by Brandy) added her vocals to songs.

Nothin' 'bout Rick slick, but show of the Caesar
This is not about being clever like Rick (Ross), but more about showcasing my skills and dominance like Julius Caesar.

My crust from the same old pizza as Mona Lisa
My origin and roots are similar to the iconic painting 'Mona Lisa', just like pieces of crust from the same old pizza.

So how you callin' out the lyrical god?
How can you challenge or criticize someone who is considered a lyrical god?

Your face light up when you see me, talkin' Miracle Watts
You become excited or infatuated when you see me, just like when talking about Miracle Watts (a model).

'Cause your words ain't sayin' a thing
Your words are empty and meaningless.

I kilogram without weighin' a thing
I deliver a powerful and heavy impact with my lyrics without even trying.

Nigga you baitin' a king
You are trying to provoke a king, which is a foolish move.

Tell you the way that Golden State say to it's team
Let me explain it to you in a way that the Golden State Warriors basketball team would understand.

Aubrey you gotta make a shot, you wanna play on the wing
Aubrey (Drake), you need to step up and take a shot if you want to play in a prominent position.

Dem a call me a murderer
People are labeling me as a killer.

Nobody seen nothing, nobody seen nothing
Nobody witnessed anything, nobody saw anything.

What I see, ayy
But this is what I see and know to be true.

Look here, I just spit the facts, raging aristocrat
Listen, I'm simply stating the truth, an angry aristocrat.

Shooters heard them words, wanna get rid of that
My associates heard your words and now want to eliminate you.

When they roll up, bet dude won't wanna live his raps
When they approach him, I bet he won't have the courage to stand by the things he raps about.

He'll see the 6 upside down and wanna switch it back
He'll realize that things have turned against him in Toronto (the 6) and he'll want to go back to how they were before.

Wrath of a god sinner
I possess the anger and power of a sinful god.

I'm too real, I bet your star tender
I am too authentic, even more authentic than your favorite rapper.

I bet a mil', I'll bet a star tender
I wager a million dollars that I am more genuine and authentic than any popular rapper.

But since the OG's Hov, here's what I wanna know
But since the original gangster is Jay-Z, I have a question for him.

If ain't no real niggas allowed the fuck would I wanna go?
If authentic and genuine individuals are not welcome, why would I want to be a part of that scene?

That's thinkin' back to Jay, now let's get back to Drake
That's reflecting on Jay-Z; now let's return our attention to Drake.

Both too big to respond to all I have to say
Both Jay-Z and Drake are too famous and successful to address everything I have to say about them.

Still with all their success and all their accolades
Despite their achievements and recognition, they still end up coming back to me.

The universe makes it so they come right back to me
The universe's design is such that they inevitably return to me.

Here's a reminder that we go way back
Let me remind you that we have a long history together.

I mean um, you know for me the kid is practice, Hova
I mean, for me, this 'kid' (Drake) is merely a practice or warm-up compared to Jay-Z.

I make these words flip as if they practice yoga
I have the ability to manipulate and twist words just like someone practicing yoga.

Okay practice over, back to Blacklist Hova
Alright, practice time is over; back to targeting and exposing Jay-Z.

Nothin' personal, this Red Reddington
It's nothing personal, just strategic and calculated moves like the character Red Reddington.

Shawn, I don't work for you, still I'm doin' the work for you
Shawn (Jay-Z), I don't owe you anything, but I am still doing the work of exposing you.

Payback, wire his jaw, reimbursin' you
This is payback; I will silence him and settle the score on your behalf.

Metal all behind his face, Sprite commercial you
Using firearms and violence to target him, just like a Sprite commercial.

Might have made a mistake out of this one
I may have made a mistake by getting involved in this situation.

Can't Bell Biv Devoe your way out of this one, nah
You can't use smooth talking or charm your way out of this one, no.

So, warn your damn campaign that hammers rang
Inform your entire campaign that they will face severe criticism and attacks.

I just bought a New Edition, you can't stand the rain
I just acquired a new group (like New Edition) that will make it difficult for you to withstand the backlash and criticism.

Y'all say this soft nigga hard and that, I can't explain
People claim this soft guy is tough, but I can't understand the reason behind it.

Y'all think he's soul for real, I see candy rain
You all think he embodies real soul, but I see superficial and shallow representation.

So Aubrey when you sub real MCs, you get murdered
So Aubrey (Drake), when you indirectly disrespect real MCs, you will be destroyed.

And since you signed to five guys, makes you a burger
And since you are signed to a group called '5 Guys' (Young Money Entertainment), it means you are just a mediocre rapper.

I'm from the school of pussy don't get me punch drunk
I come from a background where I am not easily swayed or fooled by women.

Maybe it's different in the city you come from, look
Perhaps things work differently in the city where you come from, but listen.

I'm from the school of these hoes belong to everybody
I come from a background where women are seen as being available to anyone.

No celeb exempt, goes for everybody
No celebrity is exempt from this, it applies to everyone.

So when I seen you fucked shorty, not a bitter bone in me
So when I saw that you slept with her, I didn't feel any bitterness or resentment.

I ain't think of how to handle the plan
I didn't think about how to deal with the situation or handle it.

Said I'm aware, have fun, understand that it's fam
I simply acknowledged it, told her to have fun, and understood that it's a family affair.

Told that to you and not her, that's just the man that I am
I shared that message with you instead of her, because that's just the kind of man I am.

My nigga, kids got no respect
My friend, the younger generation has no respect or manners.

Odd 'cause you called me for the hoe check on every hoe you checked
It's strange because you used to call me to verify the authenticity of every woman you were interested in.

That makes sense, bad bitches, that's what Joe do best
That explanation makes sense; dealing with attractive women is what I excel at.

And I's the man 'round these parts when they ain't know you yet
I was the man in this area before you gained recognition.

Which kinda makes me your OG in Toronto
Which actually makes me your mentor or original gangster figure in Toronto.

And I ain't charge once, that's for free in Toronto
And I didn't ask for any payment; it was all for free in Toronto.

I'm unsure how that came to be in Toronto
I don't know how that arrangement was established in Toronto.

Nigga I don't even be in Toronto
To be honest, I don't even spend much time in Toronto.

When it rains it pours
When problems or difficulties arise, they tend to come all at once.

All that means, dog, get please get a poncho
That simply means, my friend, that you should protect yourself or find a way to cope with the challenges.

Subs fell short like a free throw from Rondo
Your subliminal disses fell short, just like a missed free throw from Rajon Rondo.

So rude, he gay, so mean with all the Budden threats
You're being disrespectful and mean with all the verbal threats, as if you're homophobic.

As soon as we shoot at King, Demarcus Cousins' next
As soon as I aim shots at the 'king' (referring to Drake), Demarcus Cousins will be next in line for criticism.

This shit is truly a movie
All of this drama and conflict feels like it belongs in a movie.

You started a trend bein' a groupie for groupies
You set a trend by being a groupie for other groupies.

Me I, shoulda had Bria in the coupe and out her way
As for me, I should have had Bria (referring to a woman) in my car and quickly moved on from her.

Before you ever wrote an interlude about her
Before you even wrote a song or interlude about her.

So who you playin' with, clown
So who are you messing or playing around with, clown?

I'm first shift at the bars, so only means I already made them rounds
I'm the first one on the scene and have already made my rounds in the rap game.

They say that he the best MC and best flow'er
People claim that he is the best MC and has the best flow.

He cook better than me but you love my leftovers
He may be a better rapper, but you still prefer my style and what I have to offer.

Fire the kill shot, the fire still hot
Fire the lethal shot, the situation is still intense.

Word to your Versace velours that Kyra still got
I hope you remember or acknowledge the impact and influence that Kyra (presumably Versace) still has over you.

You playin' chess with the chrome of the pump
You're trying to outwit or outmaneuver me in this situation (like playing chess) using a firearm or threat.

Let it blast, checkered past, shoulda known from the jump
Let the gun blast, referring to a history of questionable or negative actions; you should have known it would come to this from the beginning.

It's whatever you wanna roll, executives got your soul
You can choose whatever direction or path you want to take, but the executives control your soul or decisions.

Sedatives, I'm repetitive with those records, show for
Using sedatives to put you in a repetitive state, referring to your music and performances.

Regular Joe, sellin' records was never the goal
I am just a regular guy, selling records was never my main objective.

I never sold records, I kept records of what was sold
I didn't actually sell many records, but I kept track of the records (albums and numbers) that were sold.

Might have made a mistake out of this one
I may have made a mistake by getting involved in this situation.

Day's long, can't Trey Songz your way out of this one
The days are long and difficult; you can't use smooth talking or charm (like Trey Songz) to escape from this situation.

So don't worry yourself, and before I go
So don't stress yourself, and before I leave or end this conversation.

Fuck a record label, I appear courtesy of myself, it's Joe
I don't need a record label; I represent myself and my own brand. It's Joe.

Dem a call me a murderer
People call me a murderer.

Nobody seen nothing, nobody seen nothing
No one witnessed anything, no one saw anything.

What I see, ayy
But this is what I see and know to be true.