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.
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Joe Budden Lyrics
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Yeah...
Escape Route
Let's go
[Hook]
And the world keeps spinning! (Nigga)
I feel like the world keeps spinning (Spinning)
It's like the world keeps winning
And to spite me the world keep grinning
[Verse 1]
I ain't trying to bother none
So how I end up bothered son?
Yeah you damn right I'm my father's son
Minus prison, minus over 20 years in the system
But don't take away the wisdom
Holy water won't cleanse him
Hardheaded, won't convince him
A nigga wear pride like it's denim
Fuck ?? get along with me
I'm alright with everything that's wrong with me
And that's how it's going to be
That opinion is mine, motherfucker, it belong to me
So get mad at it, half beast, half addict
Can halfass it and be better than rap bastards
Black 'matic, give me rheumatism asthmatic
I spit high class acid, I'm positive, now that's magic
I'm trying to change shit like a Panther
Asking the right questions but getting the wrong answers
[Hook]
[Verse 2]
I could talk about how a nigga trade slugs
Boast about, toasting, what the .38 does
But a nigga seen what happened to the family of J-Hud
So I thank God for every morning I wake up
Wait up!
Confront is if everything's fine?
But my grandmother's dying, and shes 89
Older but her mind about as sharp as mine
If this world were mine I would rewind time
To a time when her heart didn't leak that fluid
She needs surgery, doctors talking stupid
Said "she already lived her life so she can afford to lose it"
Talking like their tools is useless
Ain't that some shit, she gotta approve it
Grandma ready to go, she'd rather them not do it
No matter how much it might hurt me
Another lesson learned, some fights ain't fight worthy
Jersey
[Hook]
[Verse 3]
I'm waiting on a true revival
I'ma call you a coward if you alive and suicidal (WHY?)
Either be grateful for everything God said you supposed to get
Or pull the trigger and get over it
Hip Hop's supposed to give, all this weight on my back
But you ain't gotta spot me, I can shoulder it
Life's a rollercoaster, that ride gonna be easy
Why don't you believe me? My parents was high when they conceived me
Say I got a couple control issues
I disagree, I just like to control issues
My train of thought, my state of mind
Is I could change the world one state at a time
With the madness of every hater alive
Got an agenda, I just feel like ya'll should cater to mine
Ideas brilliant, perservere, I'm resilient
Until the world change, I be right here chilling
Nigga
[Hook]
The song "World Keeps Spinnin'" by Joe Budden is a powerful expression of the artist's struggles with the challenges of life. The song speaks about the frustrations of living in a world that seems to be against you, where the challenges never cease to appar. The lyrics reflect the feelings of being persistent, and the importance of continuing to persevere through life's trials.
The hook, "And the world keeps spinning," is repeated multiple times throughout the song, conveying the idea that the world does not stop for anyone, no matter what they may be going through. Through his words, Budden shares his thoughts about his struggles with personal issues, including his upbringing, his identity, and society's failures.
In verse one, Budden talks about how he is proud to be his father's son and his wisdom, but he also discusses the negative aspects of his life. He addresses his pride and addiction issues, reflecting on how they affect his relationships.
In verse two, Budden expresses his fear of losing his grandmother and the helplessness he feels in trying to save her. Here, the song becomes a commentary on the medical care system and how it values the lives of senior members.
In verse three, Budden talks about his inspiration to create change in the world. He encourages his listeners to persevere in the face of adversity because "life's a rollercoaster" and it will not be easy. He urges his listeners to believe in oneself to effect change.
Overall, the song speaks to the idea that life is tough, but one should not give up. It encourages the listener to keep pushing, even when things are challenging.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah...
Introduction to the song
Escape Route
Announcing the title of the album
And the world keeps spinning! (Nigga)
The world keeps going, despite any individual's struggles
I feel like the world keeps spinning (Spinning)
The world doesn't stop for anyone
And the world keeps spinning
Repeating the idea that the world keeps moving on
It's like the world keeps winning
The struggles of individuals can make it seem like the world is against them
And to spite me the world keep grinning
The world seems to mock the struggles of individuals
I ain't trying to bother none
I'm not looking for trouble
So how I end up bothered son?
Despite not looking for trouble, struggles have found me
Yeah you damn right I'm my father's son
I am a product of my upbringing
Minus prison, minus over 20 years in the system
I have avoided some of the struggles my father faced
But don't take away the wisdom
I have still learned valuable lessons from my father despite his shortcomings
Holy water won't cleanse him
Religion cannot undo a person's past mistakes
Hardheaded, won't convince him
I am stubborn and set in my ways
A nigga wear pride like it's denim
I am proud and unapologetic about who I am
Fuck ?? get along with me
I don't need validation from anyone
I'm alright with everything that's wrong with me
I am comfortable with my flaws and imperfections
And that's how it's going to be
I am unchanging in this aspect
That opinion is mine, motherfucker, it belong to me
I am entitled to my own opinions
So get mad at it, half beast, half addict
Some may not agree with my opinions, but I am who I am
Can halfass it and be better than rap bastards
I am confident in my abilities as a rapper
Black 'matic, give me rheumatism asthmatic
I am a talented rapper, despite any physical ailments or limitations
I spit high class acid, I'm positive, now that's magic
I am a skilled rapper who can turn negative experiences into something positive
I'm trying to change shit like a Panther
I am a revolutionary, like the Black Panthers of the 1960s
Asking the right questions but getting the wrong answers
I am seeking truth and justice, but am often met with obstacles
I could talk about how a nigga trade slugs
I could boast about my violent past
Boast about, toasting, what the .38 does
I could glorify my gun use
But a nigga seen what happened to the family of J-Hud
I have seen the damaging effects of gun violence
So I thank God for every morning I wake up
I am grateful for each day I am alive
Confront is if everything's fine?
Acting like everything is okay when it's not
But my grandmother's dying, and shes 89
My family is dealing with my grandmother's terminal illness
Older but her mind about as sharp as mine
Despite her age, my grandmother is still mentally present
If this world were mine I would rewind time
I wish I could turn back time and change things
To a time when her heart didn't leak that fluid
To a time when my grandmother's heart was healthy
She needs surgery, doctors talking stupid
My grandmother needs medical intervention, but her doctors are not being helpful
Said "she already lived her life so she can afford to lose it"
Doctors are dismissive of my grandmother's life because of her age
Talking like their tools is useless
The doctors are acting like they can't help my grandmother
Ain't that some shit, she gotta approve it
My grandmother has to approve her own surgery, despite being unwell
Grandma ready to go, she'd rather them not do it
My grandmother is ready to pass away and would rather not undergo surgery
No matter how much it might hurt me
This situation is painful for me to deal with
Another lesson learned, some fights ain't fight worthy
This struggle is not worth fighting because the outcome is out of my hands
I'm waiting on a true revival
I am waiting for a major change in the world
I'ma call you a coward if you alive and suicidal (WHY?)
I don't understand why someone would take their own life
Either be grateful for everything God said you supposed to get
Be grateful for what you have been given in life
Or pull the trigger and get over it
Suicide is not the answer to one's problems
Hip Hop's supposed to give, all this weight on my back
As a rapper, I feel like I have a responsibility to make a positive impact on society
But you ain't gotta spot me, I can shoulder it
I don't need anyone's help to make a difference
Life's a rollercoaster, that ride gonna be easy
Life is full of ups and downs, and it won't always be easy
Why don't you believe me? My parents was high when they conceived me
It's difficult for people to understand my perspective because of my unconventional upbringing
Say I got a couple control issues
People accuse me of having control issues
I disagree, I just like to control issues
I don't think I have control issues, I just like to be in charge
My train of thought, my state of mind
My way of thinking and my mental state
Is I could change the world one state at a time
I believe I can make a difference on a local level
With the madness of every hater alive
Despite obstacles and people who doubt me, I will persevere
Got an agenda, I just feel like ya'll should cater to mine
I have a purpose and I believe others should support my cause
Ideas brilliant, perservere, I'm resilient
I have great ideas and I will overcome any obstacles in my way
Until the world change, I be right here chilling
I will continue to work towards change, but I won't stress myself out over it
Nigga
End of the song
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DeuceisLegit
Every bar Joey spits is quotable. The second verse is amazing. It's sad that not everyone can read between the lines.True emcees like this make me want to write more.
@restlessnreal107xx7
DeuceisLegit I love you for saying this. The world slept on him now it’s too late. Only a few true fans saw what this man was capable of.... while everyone else let him give up on his career
@victor-rm2cg
JAY-Z disses Joe on “Reminder” and Joe hit him with “They don’t need a Reminder if they’d never forgot” That’s a hard bar lol
@buttbag93
This track is straight FIRE and the chorus is maaaad catchy too. I listen to this shit on repeat.
@mattmatt7998
This will never get old. 2023 and beyond baby ! 🎉
@robpreston2036
Classic . 2019 still playing it
@MrGodsson614
JOEY HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF THE NICEST, ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED AND OVERLOOKED EMCEE'S PERIOD.
@olheadgohard9131
🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤
This dude stay deserving'5' mics
@bxkennedy134
cant believe this song is nearly a decade old...wtf
@ErvNoelProduction
Aye Okay exactly what I’m thinking bruh