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.
Pusha Man
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you mean blood? I got what you need (Pusha man nigga!)
Go around this corner with me real quick (ohh!)
(Fuck you thought?) Oh shit, watch out for thug (Pusha man)
Man you got to be cool blood
Gotta feel you right here, niggaz down for whatever
[Joe Budden]
Keep the façade that real when you not that real, that's real!
The strip is hot so I don't hear my foes beefin
That's tellin me that I bought all these burners for no reason
Come, get me thug I walk with a mini teeny tiny eeny weeny snub
And real niggaz give me love
Besides, don't make me feel like you threaten my life God (why?)
I go and cop somethin that only come with a Tripod
(And the) Old school is puff puff, pass the spark up
And white kids got high, off of magic marker
Back when 40s was liquor (but now) now shorties is bigger
They want to be down, y'all wannabe clowns, get a grip homes
Blastin the tool, you out of character dude
You not a felon or rider, you a fellow subscriber
Who is you tellin them lies to, don't push it to a limit
to mimic you benefiting to what, the gimmicks up, BLAH
[Chorus]
When shit get thick, clips start to spit (pusha man)
Push work wait wet and dipstick (pusha man)
You need product, I'ma be there, con of the year
Fuck givin my word, I solemnly swear
Swear to hold your fort - I solemnly swear
Keep a straight face in court - I said I solemnly swear
It's pusha man - incognito from the feds in the precinct
I solemnly swear to this game I pledge my allegiance
[Joe Budden]
Uhh.. it's killin me soft, jokers is actin like they really the boss
With a Milli Vanilli award cause they really a fraud
Milli's applaud if you ain't really my dawg
I crack Phillies with broads but now I'm sober they don't feel me no more
And G.P.s and V.I.P.s
I be O-T in D.C. with O-Zs so my time's up like O.C.
Uhh, when I hustle they thought that I went soft
Cause y'all jerked them for the price, I took twenty percent off
I don't drive I like shotguns, never pulled L's
I like shotguns, hate .22's I like shotguns
Non-descrip's talkin bout they got guns
Like tecs 4-5s and shotguns, really they never shot guns
Go 'head act like a gangsta claim to clap like a gangsta
It's all good fellas, now he rap like a gangsta
Hate me or love me, dap me or slug me
Scream FUCK ME but when things get ugly I get gully
[Chorus]
[Joe Budden]
Look, a cock nina should get me a hot beamer
Settin up shop in the suburbs, I'm gettin that white cream that Noxema
I'm good at duckin the cops subpoena
Cats is shook when alone but come tough when the cops are between us
Stash house was never empty, had the cracks on UP
Soprano came to see me, got barritoned UP
Had clientele crazy, every borough I hustled
Remember back in the day when you had to be thorough to hustle?
Cats hustle to feed they kin
Now every combo with a package to try to pitch for some sneakers and Timbs
Shit back in the day, niggaz looked at jail like school
Now new jacks is spittin bout jail like it's cool (dawg)
That ain't gangsta, I don't believe that, you don't believe it yourself
Gangsta's real, gangsta speaks for itself
A lot of gangstas is lifers and they gone right now
So fag cats is screamin gangsta, something's wrong right now
[Chorus]
The song "Pusha Man" by Joe Budden is a commentary on the facade of gangster culture and how it has evolved over time. Budden starts by addressing the false bravado of those who claim to be gangsters when in reality, they are merely living up to a stereotype. He criticizes the current state of affairs where the streets are so hot, yet nobody is actually using the weapons they claim to have bought. Budden himself admits that he carries a small gun, but that fellow real gangsters respect him regardless of his lack of firepower.
The chorus of "Pusha Man" revolves around the idea that when times get tough, genuine dealers are the only ones who are willing to step up and deliver the product. Budden swears his allegiance to this game and to the people who count on him to supply what they need. He emphasizes the importance of keeping one's word and being reliable, even in the most difficult circumstances. The final verse of the song touches on the glorification of prison and the way that it has become part of the gangster image. Budden points out that those who truly understand the reality of prison know that it is nothing to be celebrated.
Overall, "Pusha Man" offers a sharp critique of the way that gangster culture has been romanticized and glorified. Budden makes a clear distinction between those who are truly living this life and those who are merely playing a part.
Line by Line Meaning
Say blood, heh-heh, what's happening?
Starting a conversation with a fellow gang member.
What you mean blood? I got what you need (Pusha man nigga!)
Asking for drugs from the Pusha Man who supplies them.
Go around this corner with me real quick (ohh!)
Asking the person to follow to a more private location.
(Fuck you thought?) Oh shit, watch out for thug (Pusha man)
Warning the person to be alert for possible danger.
Man you got to be cool blood
Advising the person to stay calm and collected.
Gotta feel you right here, niggaz down for whatever
Expressing loyalty to the other person.
Everybody's so gangsta gangsta, tell me how you do it
Questioning the authenticity of other people's gangster behavior.
Keep the façade that real when you not that real, that's real!
Calling out the fake gangsters who pretend to be tough.
The strip is hot so I don't hear my foes beefin
Ignoring the threats of rival gang members due to increased police activity.
That's tellin me that I bought all these burners for no reason
Realizing that the guns he purchased may not be necessary due to lack of danger.
Come, get me thug I walk with a mini teeny tiny eeny weeny snub
Inviting a fellow gang member to follow him while carrying a small gun.
And real niggaz give me love
Being respected by genuine tough guys.
Besides, don't make me feel like you threaten my life God (why?)
Warning the other person not to make him feel threatened or else he will retaliate.
I go and cop somethin that only come with a Tripod
Buying a special gun that requires extra support to be fired accurately.
Old school is puff puff, pass the spark up
Remembering the days of smoking marijuana together.
And white kids got high, off of magic marker
Recalling seeing people getting high off of strange things such as markers.
Back when 40s was liquor (but now) now shorties is bigger
Noting the difference in alcohol preferences and the increase in size of young people.
They want to be down, y'all wannabe clowns, get a grip homes
Criticizing those who try to act tough but are really just posers.
Blastin the tool, you out of character dude
Calling out people who use guns without having the necessary temperament or skills.
You not a felon or rider, you a fellow subscriber
Pointing out that some people just talk about gangster life without ever really living it.
Who is you tellin them lies to, don't push it to a limit to mimic you benefiting to what, the gimmicks up, BLAH
Questioning those who try to create false images of their gangster lifestyles.
When shit get thick, clips start to spit (pusha man)
Explaining that when things get dangerous, people start using guns provided by the Pusha Man.
Push work wait wet and dipstick (pusha man)
Listing the services provided by the Pusha Man, including drug supply, waiting period, and measuring tools.
You need product, I'ma be there, con of the year
Promising to be there for customers in need and being considered the best in illegal trade.
Fuck givin my word, I solemnly swear
Rejecting the traditional notion of trust and instead making a solemn oath.
Swear to hold your fort - I solemnly swear
Making a solemn oath to protect and preserve one's own territory.
Keep a straight face in court - I said I solemnly swear
Making a solemn oath to remain serious and composed in court during legal proceedings.
It's pusha man - incognito from the feds in the precinct
Implying that the Pusha Man is trying to keep his identity hidden from the police.
I solemnly swear to this game I pledge my allegiance
Pledging loyalty to the game of illegal trade.
Uhh.. it's killin me soft, jokers is actin like they really the boss
Feeling frustrated with imposters pretending to have power.
With a Milli Vanilli award cause they really a fraud
Comparing fake gangsters to the disgraced pop duo Milli Vanilli.
Milli's applaud if you ain't really my dawg
Stating that only genuine friends will support him.
I crack Phillies with broads but now I'm sober they don't feel me no more
Reflecting on past behavior involving drugs and women, realizing that people may not respect him now that he is sober.
And G.P.s and V.I.P.s
Being familiar with both regular and important people.
I be O-T in D.C. with O-Zs so my time's up like O.C.
Selling drugs in DC with large quantities, aware of the potential risks and consequences.
when I hustle they thought that I went soft
Feeling judged by others who believe that giving up drugs means giving up the gangster lifestyle.
Cause y'all jerked them for the price, I took twenty percent off
Boasting about being more fair and honest with customers than other dealers who overcharge them.
I don't drive I like shotguns, never pulled L's
Preferring to be a passenger in a car and using shotguns instead of handguns.
Non-descrip's talkin bout they got guns
Calling out unimpressive people who pretend to be tough.
Like tecs 4-5s and shotguns, really they never shot guns
Doubting the authenticity of others' claims about owning and using guns.
Go 'head act like a gangsta claim to clap like a gangsta
Telling others to act tough if they want to, but don't pretend to be something they're not.
It's all good fellas, now he rap like a gangsta
Noticing the trend of rappers pretending to be gangsters to sell their music.
Hate me or love me, dap me or slug me
Accepting that he may be hated or loved, but still demanding respect.
Scream FUCK ME but when things get ugly I get gully
Being tough and fearless when things get dangerous, despite earlier bravado.
Look, a cock nina should get me a hot beamer
Suggesting that having a small gun would be helpful as he drives a luxury car.
Settin up shop in the suburbs, I'm gettin that white cream that Noxema
Expanding his drug trade into wealthier neighborhoods and acquiring large quantities of drugs.
I'm good at duckin the cops subpoena
Confident in his ability to evade legal authorities.
Cats is shook when alone but come tough when the cops are between us
Noticing that some people are only brave when they feel protected by law enforcement.
Stash house was never empty, had the cracks on UP
Always having a supply of drugs in a secret location.
Soprano came to see me, got barritoned UP
Getting a visit from a mafia boss (Tony Soprano) and being rewarded with a high position or earning potential.
Had clientele crazy, every borough I hustled
Having a large and loyal customer base.
Remember back in the day when you had to be thorough to hustle?
Recalling a time when being truly tough and skilled was necessary to be successful in illegal trade.
Cats hustle to feed they kin
Recognizing that some people do illegal activity to provide for their families.
Now every combo with a package to try to pitch for some sneakers and Timbs
Noticing that anyone can try to sell drugs now, including young people who only have a small amount.
Shit back in the day, niggaz looked at jail like school
Recalling a time when going to jail was seen as a rite of passage or a place to learn how to hustle better.
Now new jacks is spittin bout jail like it's cool (dawg)
Antagonizing young people who try to glamorize or use prison as a badge of honor.
That ain't gangsta, I don't believe that, you don't believe it yourself
Dismissing the idea that going to jail is a sign of toughness.
Gangsta's real, gangsta speaks for itself
Believing that true gangsters do not need to prove themselves or brag about their illegal activities.
A lot of gangstas is lifers and they gone right now
Acknowledging that many people who were truly tough and involved in illegal activity are now serving life sentences or dead.
So fag cats is screamin gangsta, something's wrong right now
Noticing that many of the people claiming to be gangsters are not authentic and something is not right in the current state of illegal trade.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH ANTHONY BUDDEN, JOSEPH E. KULESZYNSKI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind