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.
Long Way To Go
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My feet are tired
And the pain shows
There's such a long way to go now
Such a long way to go
Gotta be strong
By myself now
Such a long road
Weaken all my bones
But I gotta work hard
Just to reach my goal
Such a long way to go
So many miles left
But I'm here now
[Joe Budden]
Please lord something gotta give
They say for every negative
There's a positive
But I aint positive
For every buck deposited
We still in the hood
Livin' like hostages
And never mind colleges
School of HardKnocks scholarship
Dealing with politics
I would just self success
In the store
If I could bottle it
But, I ain't a millionaire
Won't see me in Forbes son
Life is like a beach chair
When you can afford one
Ruger loaded
Just in case the war come
Might as well
Everything is coming to the forefront
Need a clear head just to think
And fuck a drink and my two-step
Nigga, I'm two-steps from a drink
So pressure either bust pipes
Or it make diamonds
No matter how high up the mountain
I stay climbing
Freedom I keep chancin'
So if I fall like Beyonce
I just get back up and keep dancing
[Chorus]
[Joe Budden]
(Yo Mouse, Talk to 'em)
Never been a goal that I couldn't reach
Never been a lesson I couldn't teach
I done been through the world and back
Fuck school
I got all the facts
All I do is stand tall
When they got my back against the wall
When it's game time
All we do is ball
My niggas'll be here in one call (one call)
One call (one call)
When shit gets heavy
All I do is pick up the phone
Ain't gotta go through nothing alone
When shit gets heavy
All I do is pick up the phone
Ain't gotta walk through this world alone
If I'm on my own
[Mr. Probz]
Keep on standing on my own 2 feet
Everytime that I cry
When I sweat
When I bleed
See nothing can stop me
No nothing except me
[Chorus]
[Joe Budden]
I'm chasin' after pies
With bags under my eyes
You looking at my representative mask
It's a disguise
And I don't do things
Like I used to
The past is the past
I'm presently thinkin'
Bout the future
Certain niggas bettin' I fall
I'm speed jogging
Through the quicksand
I'm juggling 3 medicine balls
See I'm coming up
Used to share a room
With 2 cellmates
Now I tower over the devil
But this ain't Hell Date
Long way to go
I see my feet getting blisters
I dare em
Talk to me like Mike Richards
Or play Don Imus
And think it's cool
To disrespect our sisters
I guess we got a while
'Fore they actually get the picture
I think about Virginia Tech
Think about Katrina
Niggas that caught Sean Bell
Slippin' with the nina
A day before the wedding
Safety off the weapon
Though all these things
Play in my head
I keep steppin'
[Chorus]
The chorus of Joe Budden’s “Long Way to Go” performed by Mr. Probz, reveals the fatigue and pain felt by the artist from traveling a long distance. He has a goal that he must reach and the road to it is cold and uninviting, but he must stay strong and persevere. With weakened bones, he has to work hard just to get to his destination. In the first verse, Budden speaks of how life is tough, and they are living in the hood like hostages despite making money. There are factors such as politics to deal with, but he would prefer to be successful without them. He likens life to a beach chair, and he wishes he could afford a lifestyle like Forbes. Then with the metaphor of a mountain, he explains how no matter how high he climbs, he will continue to climb because it is the freedom he is chasing.
The second verse begins with the artist stating how he has never had a goal that he could not reach or a lesson he could not teach even after traveling the world. There is no need for school because he has all the facts he needs. Budden has a faithful group of friends that are always there for him, and he can pick up the phone and get help when needed. He has overcome a lot, and he is still chasing success while being realistic about his past. He also acknowledges that even after all he has overcome, there is still a long way to go. The chorus returns at the end of the song, emphasizing once again that it is a long road, but he is where he needs to be.
Line by Line Meaning
My feet are tired
I am exhausted from the journey
And the pain shows
My physical discomfort is evident
There's such a long way to go now
The destination is still far away
Such a long way to go
The journey ahead is daunting
Gotta be strong
I need to remain resilient
By myself now
I am on my own
Such a long road
The path is difficult and lengthy
My soul's so cold
I am emotionally drained
Weaken all my bones
The journey has taken a physical toll on me
But I gotta work hard
I need to continue putting in effort to reach my goal
Just to reach my goal
The objective is not easily attainable
So many miles left
The journey still has a long distance to cover
But I'm here now
Despite the challenges, I have made progress
Please lord something gotta give
I am asking for divine intervention
They say for every negative
There is a positive aspect
There's a positive
There is a good outcome or opportunity in every situation
But I ain't positive
I am struggling to see the positives in my situation
We still in the hood
I am still in a difficult environment
Livin' like hostages
Our circumstances are oppressive and limiting
School of HardKnocks scholarship
I have learned through difficult experiences rather than formal education
Dealing with politics
I am navigating a complex system with power dynamics
I would just self success
I wish I could manifest success on my own
In the store
As a product to be sold or consumed
If I could bottle it
If I could figure out the formula for success
But, I ain't a millionaire
I am not rich
Won't see me in Forbes son
I will not be featured in Forbes magazine
Life is like a beach chair
Life can be relaxing or comfortable if you can afford it
When you can afford one
If you have the resources to buy a beach chair
Ruger loaded
I have a firearm ready for protection
Just in case the war come
In preparation for potential danger or conflict
Might as well
It is practical to be prepared for the worst
Everything is coming to the forefront
The truth is being revealed
Need a clear head just to think
I require focus to make good decisions
F*** a drink and my two-step
I do not have time for leisure activities
Nigga, I'm two-steps from a drink
I am very close to breaking down from stress
So pressure either bust pipes
Pressure can break me down
Or it make diamonds
Or it can make me stronger and more resilient
No matter how high up the mountain
No matter how difficult the challenge
I stay climbing
I keep working towards my goal
Freedom I keep chancin'
I am willing to take risks for my freedom
So if I fall like Beyonce
If I fail, I will get back up and continue
I just get back up and keep dancing
I will not be defeated by failure and will continue moving forward
Never been a goal that I couldn't reach
I have always reached my objectives
Never been a lesson I couldn't teach
I am knowledgeable and capable of teaching others
I done been through the world and back
I have experienced a lot in life
All I do is stand tall
I remain strong and resilient
When they got my back against the wall
When I face challenges and obstacles
When it's game time
When it is time to take action
All we do is ball
We act assertively and confidently
My niggas'll be here in one call
My friends are always ready to support me
When shit gets heavy
When I face difficult situations
All I do is pick up the phone
I ask for help when necessary
Ain't gotta go through nothing alone
I do not have to face challenges by myself
Keep on standing on my own 2 feet
I am independent and self-sufficient
Everytime that I cry
When I am emotional or in pain
When I sweat
When I work hard and struggle
When I bleed
When I am hurt physically or emotionally
See nothing can stop me
I am determined and unstoppable
No nothing except me
The only thing that can hinder me is myself
I'm chasin' after pies
I am pursuing financial success
With bags under my eyes
I am tired from hard work
You looking at my representative mask
I am presenting a façade or an image of myself
It's a disguise
It is not my true self
And I don't do things like I used to
I am changing and evolving
The past is the past
I have moved on from past mistakes and experiences
I'm presently thinkin' bout the future
I am focused on my future goals
Certain niggas bettin' I fall
Some people are expecting me to fail
I'm speed jogging through the quicksand
I am making progress despite challenges
I'm juggling 3 medicine balls
I am handling multiple challenges at the same time
See I'm coming up
I am advancing and succeeding
Used to share a room with 2 cellmates
I have been in prison or incarcerated
Now I tower over the devil
I have overcome my demons and challenges
But this ain't Hell Date
This is not a reality TV show
I see my feet getting blisters
I am experiencing physical pain and fatigue
I dare em talk to me like Mike Richards
I will not tolerate disrespect or mistreatment
Or play Don Imus
Or use racist or prejudiced language
And think it's cool to disrespect our sisters
And think it is acceptable to demean women
I guess we got a while 'fore they actually get the picture
It will take time for others to understand and change their behavior
I think about Virginia Tech
I remember the shooting at Virginia Tech
Think about Katrina
I remember the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina
N****s that caught Sean Bell
I remember the killing of Sean Bell by police
Slippin' with the nina
Unprepared for danger
A day before the wedding
In a moment of joy and celebration
Safety off the weapon
Ready to use a firearm for protection
Though all these things play in my head
I am affected by traumatic events and experiences
I keep steppin'
I keep moving forward despite challenges
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
pclose11
This song kept me going through hard times. Love it
Kimi
A good inspirational song for us college students 💜
Andy Josue
OK but who's alien messiah da guru god
Chad Rose
yea this song has definitely helped me through some hard times
Stoic Thoughts
Mood Muzik was underrated, Budden preached nothing but bars. This those high school days
Игорь -
Straight classic. Crazy how this guy was releasing mixtapes like this
ilias m
Υeah. And he had a good album in 2013. But after that he got crazy a bit
Игорь -
@ilias m all love lost and some love lost are great releases, so he was good after 2013.
Rehan Khalid
joe budden, most original rapper ever existed
Monika S
this song inspires me