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.
Pray For Me
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Niggas use to pray for me, (Uh, me)
Need y'all to pray for me,
Need niggas just to pray for me, (me, uh)
Need y'all to pray for me,
Need niggas just to pray for me, (uh)
Need y'all to pray for me,
Need nigags just to pray for me, (uh)
Somebody pray for me, (uh)
Please y'all pray for me,
Please niggas just pray for me,
Look,
I woke up without a heartbeat,
But I remember we was just in the car deep,
Was at a light, and got approached by a car thief,
He pulled out, but didn't ask for no car keys,
A loud noise without a voice, and I'm tryin' to scream out shits not fair,
I can't tell you where I'm at, or how I got here,
Surrounded by all white, maybe it's just cloudy,
Escorted by two men who knew everything about me,
Both of them so strong, kept sayin' hold on,
Feel like my souls gone, naked no clothes on,
I know this can't be my fate, I scream wait,
As they drop me in front of a gate, they left no trace,
I can see my every breath like a cold day, stood before a man with no face,
He said to me,
"Please don't make this any harder"
Who the fuck is you?
"My child, I'm your father"
I only got one dad,
"Is that a fact to you? He left you when you was young,
I brought him back to you, you're real close to heaven,
Few get to step in, now tell me what you've done to deserve to be let in"
Look I'm far from a christian, not big on religion,
But ain't done too much wrong, my entire time of living,
Never killed, never tried to, though I've been lied to,
Was once suicidal, never read the bible,
I've always been a caretaker, tried to nurse people,
At times it backfired, hurt people, hurt people,
Plus I never use your name in vain,
But you should know everything I'm being asked to explain,
"I know you stole from your mothers purse"
You can't count that, that was way back when,
"It's still a sin"
But I was ten,
"You robbed people, stolen"
Yea, and you made me see jail,
"But I also seen you lay your hands on a female,
Sold drugs to parents, none of that was needed,
Abandoned your child, on every girl you cheated,
Done wrong to people that only want the best for you,
Anytime you thought you were alone, I was right next to you"
When it comes to baby moms, God you gave me the worst one,
"But that was your second child, you shouldn't of killed the first one"
I ain't have a job, ain't have a pot to piss in,
"Look I gave you a gift, and you made the wrong decision,
Held on to resentments, even in doing business,
I lead by example, I teach forgiveness,
Your entry, can not be guaranteed,
Not when you live with Anger, Envy, Greed,
Pride, Sloth, Lust, even Gluttony,
Everything you shouldn't, if you would of joined my company"
Look I'm only human I ain't perfect,
"That I understand, when I take you out a jam,
You don't even think to worship, and when you do,
You never talk about what you can do for me,
You talk about what I can do for you,
I blessed you with health, family, and wealth,
With all the blessings you've received, you still always want help"
Yea there's been times in my life, I need help to make money,
But why everything I love, you manage take from me,
Yet, you still there and to question a nigga that tries hard
And finds a way, when you keep dealing him fucked up cards,
You make mistakes like me, far as I can see,
I think its a mockery, whenever rich niggas win the lottery,
Gave us Bush twice, God I hate to be rude,
But you let skinny niggas starve, give obese niggas food,
The nerve when you telling me, I don't deserve to stay here,
When you gave us drugs, and guns, you put Aids here,
Take a look at you, yo actions are the cold-hearted,
The hard shit is you bring babies in the world retarded,
I know most my actions put me in a cell,
But how you made at me, when you put me into hell,
"See my child, you need gratitude, maybe just a sample,
I never give a person, anything they can't handle,
Don't tell me about everything you've had to go through,
There's reasons for my actions, even if I never showed you,
Keep trying with you, all you did was hurt me,
Still gave you chances to prove that you were worthy,
And so I sat with you on a train, I asked you for change,
You kept callin' me names, probably didn't notice, I was the store clerk,
You put the gun to me, get money for more work,
My child, I know you have it in you to indeed stop,
This is not your final callin', just brief stop,
Hope you heed my words and understand,
So when I see you back, you should be a better man,
Look at life different, the next time we see each other,
There'll be no need to talk, whenever we meet each other"
The lyrics to Joe Budden's song "Pray For Me" are a heartfelt plea to those who once prayed for him to continue to pray for him, alongside a vivid depiction of his journey through death and the afterlife. The song begins with a repeated request for prayers, expressing a sense of vulnerability and need for support. The narrative then shifts to Budden's own experience of dying, being surrounded by white and led by two men to see a father with no face. The father-figure questions Budden on his past actions with a list of accusations that reveal both the singer's own sense of guilt and the harshness of the judgment he feels he is facing. The final message from the father is one of hope, that Budden can change his life and become a better person.
The song can be interpreted in two ways. It could outline a metaphorical journey to self-awareness, where Budden confronts his past misdeeds and seeks redemption. Alternatively, it could be a literal vision of the afterlife, highlighting both the frightening nature of Judgement Day and the possibility of forgiveness. The song is both personal and universal, tackling issues of morality, religion and the frailties of the human self.
Line by Line Meaning
Niggas pray for me,
I request for my fellow individuals to pray for me
Niggas use to pray for me, (Uh, me)
There was a time when people used to pray for me
Need y'all to pray for me,
I require all of you to pray for me
Need niggas just to pray for me, (me, uh)
I solely need individuals to pray for me
Need y'all to pray for me,
I need all of you to pray for me
Need niggas just to pray for me, (uh)
I only need individuals to pray for me
Need y'all to pray for me,
I require all of you to pray for me
Need nigags just to pray for me, (uh)
I solely need individuals to pray for me
I want somebody to pray for me, (uh)
I desire for someone to pray for me
Somebody pray for me, (uh)
I ask for someone to pray for me
Please y'all pray for me,
I kindly request all of you to pray for me
Please niggas just pray for me,
I humbly ask individuals to pray for me
Look,
Listen to what I have to say
I woke up without a heartbeat,
I regained consciousness without a heartbeat
But I remember we was just in the car deep,
However, I recall being deeply involved in a car situation
Was at a light, and got approached by a car thief,
We were stopped at a traffic light and approached by someone attempting to steal the car
He pulled out, but didn't ask for no car keys,
He brandished a weapon, but did not demand the car keys
A loud noise without a voice, and I'm tryin' to scream out shits not fair,
Suddenly, there was a loud sound with no identifiable source, and I attempted to protest the injustice
I can't tell you where I'm at, or how I got here,
I am unable to provide information regarding my current location or how I arrived here
Surrounded by all white, maybe it's just cloudy,
I am enclosed by a white environment, possibly due to clouds
Escorted by two men who knew everything about me,
I am accompanied by two individuals who possess extensive knowledge about me
Both of them so strong, kept sayin' hold on,
Both of them were physically powerful and repeatedly instructed me to persevere
Feel like my souls gone, naked no clothes on,
I have an inner sense of losing my soul, feeling exposed and vulnerable
I know this can't be my fate, I scream wait,
I am convinced that this cannot be my destined outcome and desperately plea for a delay
As they drop me in front of a gate, they left no trace,
They abandon me in front of a gate without leaving any evidence of their presence
I can see my every breath like a cold day, stood before a man with no face,
I can visibly observe each breath I take, reminiscent of a cold day, while facing an individual devoid of facial features
He said to me,
He spoke to me
"Please don't make this any harder"
"I implore you not to exacerbate this situation"
Who the fuck is you?
I am expressing a vulgar inquiry about the stranger's identity
"My child, I'm your father"
"I am your father, my child"
I only got one dad,
I possess only one father figure
"Is that a fact to you? He left you when you was young,
"Do you consider that to be factual? He abandoned you during your youth
I brought him back to you, you're real close to heaven,
I reunited you with him, as you are in close proximity to heaven
Few get to step in, now tell me what you've done to deserve to be let in"
Only a select few are allowed to enter, so explain to me why you believe you deserve entry
Look I'm far from a christian, not big on religion,
I must clarify that I am not adherent to Christianity nor deeply invested in religious practices
But ain't done too much wrong, my entire time of living,
However, I have not committed excessive wrongdoing throughout my entire existence
Never killed, never tried to, though I've been lied to,
I have never taken a life, nor made an attempt to do so, despite being deceived by others
Was once suicidal, never read the bible,
There was a time when I experienced thoughts of suicide, yet I have never studied the Bible
I've always been a caretaker, tried to nurse people,
I have consistently acted as a caregiver, attempting to provide assistance to others
At times it backfired, hurt people, hurt people,
Unfortunately, my efforts sometimes had adverse effects, causing harm to both the individuals I tried to help and myself
Plus I never use your name in vain,
Furthermore, I have never uttered your name disrespectfully
But you should know everything I'm being asked to explain,
However, you should already be aware of the events and actions for which I am being questioned
"I know you stole from your mothers purse"
"I am aware of your act of stealing from your mother's purse"
You can't count that, that was way back when,
That should not be taken into consideration, as it occurred in the distant past
"It's still a sin"
"Nevertheless, it is still considered a transgression"
But I was ten,
However, I was only ten years old
"You robbed people, stolen"
"You engaged in robbery and theft"
Yea, and you made me see jail,
Yes, and as a consequence, you caused me to experience incarceration
"But I also seen you lay your hands on a female,
"However, I witnessed you physically assault a woman
Sold drugs to parents, none of that was needed,
You even sold drugs to parents, an action that was entirely unnecessary
Abandoned your child, on every girl you cheated,
You deserted your own child and engaged in infidelity with multiple women
Done wrong to people that only want the best for you,
You have harmed individuals who simply wished for your well-being
Anytime you thought you were alone, I was right next to you"
Whenever you believed you were alone, I was actually by your side
When it comes to baby moms, God you gave me the worst one,
In terms of the mother of my child, God, you bestowed upon me the most unfavorable individual
"But that was your second child, you shouldn't of killed the first one"
"However, that was your second child, and you should not have terminated the life of the initial one"
I ain't have a job, ain't have a pot to piss in,
I did not have employment nor any personal possessions or resources
"Look I gave you a gift, and you made the wrong decision,
"You see, I granted you a talent, but you made an incorrect choice
Held on to resentments, even in doing business,
You clung to feelings of bitterness, even when engaging in professional endeavors
I lead by example, I teach forgiveness,
As a role model, I demonstrate the importance of forgiveness
Your entry, can not be guaranteed,
I cannot assure that you will be granted entry
Not when you live with Anger, Envy, Greed,
Especially when you constantly possess emotions of anger, envy, and greed
Pride, Sloth, Lust, even Gluttony,
Additionally, due to your tendencies towards pride, laziness, lust, and excessive indulgence
Everything you shouldn't, if you would of joined my company"
You exhibit all the traits and behaviors that are not suitable if you were to be part of my divine community
Look I'm only human I ain't perfect,
Understand that I, as a human being, am not flawless
"That I understand, when I take you out a jam,
"I comprehend this, as I have assisted you in difficult situations in the past
You don't even think to worship, and when you do,
Yet, you rarely consider expressing worship and when you do
You never talk about what you can do for me,
You never discuss how you can contribute to my well-being
You talk about what I can do for you,
Instead, you solely focus on what I can do to fulfill your needs
I blessed you with health, family, and wealth,
I have bestowed upon you good health, a supportive family, and material prosperity
With all the blessings you've received, you still always want help"
Despite the abundance of blessings you have received, you consistently seek assistance
Yea there's been times in my life, I need help to make money,
Indeed, there have been instances in my life when I required assistance to generate income
But why everything I love, you manage take from me,
However, why do you always seem to take away everything I hold dear?
Yet, you still there and to question a nigga that tries hard
Nevertheless, you remain present and criticize an individual who genuinely puts in effort
And finds a way, when you keep dealing him fucked up cards,
And manages to overcome obstacles, despite you constantly presenting them with unfavorable circumstances
You make mistakes like me, far as I can see,
You, too, make errors just like me, from my perspective
I think its a mockery, whenever rich niggas win the lottery,
In my opinion, it is a mockery each time wealthy individuals win the lottery
Gave us Bush twice, God I hate to be rude,
We were subjected to two terms of President Bush, and I must admit, God, I cannot help but express my dislike
But you let skinny niggas starve, give obese niggas food,
Yet, you allow thin individuals to suffer from hunger while providing ample sustenance to overweight individuals
The nerve when you telling me, I don't deserve to stay here,
It is audacious for you to claim that I am undeserving of remaining in this realm
When you gave us drugs, and guns, you put Aids here,
Considering you permitted the existence of drugs and firearms, leading to the emergence of the AIDS epidemic
Take a look at you, yo actions are the cold-hearted,
Reflect upon yourself, as your actions are cruel and lacking compassion
The hard shit is you bring babies in the world retarded,
The difficult truth is that you allow children to be born with intellectual disabilities
I know most my actions put me in a cell,
I am aware that many of my actions have resulted in my confinement in a prison cell
But how you made at me, when you put me into hell,
Yet, you express anger towards me despite the fact that you subjected me to a state of torment
"See my child, you need gratitude, maybe just a sample,
"My child, what you require is gratitude, even if it is just a small demonstration
I never give a person, anything they can't handle,
I never bestow upon an individual something that they are incapable of managing
Don't tell me about everything you've had to go through,
Do not regale me with tales of all the challenges you have faced
There's reasons for my actions, even if I never showed you,
There are valid motives behind my decisions, even if I have never explicitly revealed them to you
Keep trying with you, all you did was hurt me,
I continuously strive to support and guide you, yet all you have done is cause me pain
Still gave you chances to prove that you were worthy,
Nevertheless, I provided you with opportunities to demonstrate your worthiness
And so I sat with you on a train, I asked you for change,
Thus, I sat with you on a train and requested a alteration in your behavior
You kept callin' me names, probably didn't notice, I was the store clerk,
You persistently insulted me, seemingly oblivious to the fact that I was the store clerk
You put the gun to me, get money for more work,
You threatened me with a firearm, aiming to acquire funds for illicit endeavors
My child, I know you have it in you to indeed stop,
My child, I am aware that you possess the capability to cease your current behavior
This is not your final callin', just brief stop,
This is not your ultimate purpose, only a temporary pause
Hope you heed my words and understand,
I sincerely hope that you listen attentively to my words and comprehend their significance
So when I see you back, you should be a better man,
Therefore, upon encountering you again, you should have become a more admirable individual
Look at life different, the next time we see each other,
Alter your perspective on life the next time we cross paths
There'll be no need to talk, whenever we meet each other"
We will not require further conversation every time we encounter one another
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW ROETTGER, JOE BUDDEN, DAN THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Get money j
2022 still gives me chills
Eric Olson
i’m here in need of this song right now
Devin Hepburm
Me too.. I listen to it every once in a while. It's too deep at times
marco arroyo
C.O.S
SirAndrew
At least once a week
Marino rawmos
@Thugga trendsetter word!
ankevious oliver
This is still my favorite song of all time. Never gets old.
Hop Head
Song is amazing
Martin Barry
@ankevious oliverit's like a back lash from what iv been true in the past , but now fuck the world its everyone for them selfs we come and we go it's only a pit stop as bob Marley says you think your living in heaven but your living in hell , its not nice but its true 👌👌👌👌
ankevious oliver
@Martin Barry hell yeah. Me too bro