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.
Real Life In Rap Version
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hate why'all duuuuuuudes
That get real life and rap confuuuuuuused
Don't get it fucked up, and don't get shoooot
Tryin to be somethin you're nooooot
My niggaz want war, whatchu think you good for?
Yeah you talk like them threats is real
I only spit what I live, and I play my part, feds know
You just talkin burners cause your A&R said so
Don't play the game like it's just a scrimmage
Don't think that what you hearrrin is just a image
How your songs though? You never spent a day in the bing
Niggaz is movin they mouths but they ain't sayin a thing
Half why'all vets is heartless and rep regardless
Only time you seen a courtroom was pressin charges
How you baggin up white, but won't scrap in a fight
Sheeeeit, see'mon mayne, shit ain't addin up right
When shit's thick, whatchu gon' do with that pound
But real recognize real, you must be new in this town
All I'm hearin is another nigga's life over tracks
And you lames ain't willin to lose your life over rap
[Chorus]
Tired of hearin' 'bout you rap dudes comin' with the guns
Never caught a body, had the smell comin from the trunk
(And umm) I'm tired of hearin 'bout your four's bust
While I was cuffed on a up North bus
Why'all fucked on a tour bus
All them stories 'bout you gettin' money with gangsters
(Guess what?) The shit is pretty funny to gangsters
I'm tired of hearin' 'bout that gat in your boot
'Cause when it's said and done
And you finished that rap in the booth, it's back to the truth
And your shit is glass thug (and you) never outside
'Cause youse a in the lab thug (youse a) pen and pad thug
It sounds good, you ain't pushin work in the projects
But you spittin' 'bout it when you work on your project
Clown answer back, why'all never seen the hammers flash
Just photo shoots when cameras flash
All I'm hearin is another nigga's life over tracks
And you lames ain't willin to lose your life over rap
[Chorus]
In direct beef between rappers, they be all thugs
See each other in the street and dap, it's all love
War stories ain't yours about the pounds your man got
Only time you move bricks is when the SoundScan drop
You ain't never cooked nothin' by that kitchen sink
And the only time you been behind bars was fixin' a drink
You actin a fool, got real life and rap confused
With them ten o'clock songs, you just rappin' the news
But I ain't mad atcha flow, he tryin to stack his dough
But everybody's a thug until them ratchets show
The same dudes that rap about (they get) stuck for all the 1's
And if everybody's a killer, where the fuck is all the punks?
I hope you gettin your loot; just remember
What you spit in the booth
There's other people that's livin' proof
Why'all cats with all the mouth, just stay in your lane
And pray that a real NUCCA don't decide to call you out
[Chorus]
The song opens with a repetition of the chorus, which highlights the theme of the song: that rap should not be confused with real-life experiences, and that rappers who portray themselves as something they're not can be dangerous. The verses that follow discuss how rappers seem to create a persona that is contrary to their real-life experiences to sell records.
The first verse makes it clear that Joey spits about the life he lives, while other rappers just are trying to be something they are not. He compares his reality to the fake reality portrayed by other rappers who claim to be involved with violent or criminal acts, but in reality, have never done any of these things. Joey talks about how he can stand up to his lyrics because he is living them, while other rappers might just be making things up.
The second verse discusses the concept of gangster rap and how all these rappers talk about violence and crime but may not have any experience in those things. He bashes those who talk about carrying guns and busting shots when the only thing they have ever heard is something they've made up in their head. The verse concludes, encouraging those who have big talk to stay in their lane since they don't know what can happen when the real threats materialize in this line of work.
Line by Line Meaning
I hate why'all duuuuuuudes
I dislike all of you people
That get real life and rap confuuuuuuused
Who mix up their actual lives with their record label career
Don't get it fucked up, and don't get shoooot
Don't misconstrue the truth, don't shoot
Tryin to be somethin you're nooooot
Pretending to be someone you're not
My niggaz want war, whatchu think you good for?
My crew is ready for a fight, what are you capable of?
Yeah you talk like them threats is real
You act like you're a dangerous person
A pine box, closed casket and mommy's black dress is real
Death is a very real consequence of the lifestyles that you're pretending to have
I only spit what I live, and I play my part, feds know
I only rap about my real life experiences and I know the authorities are aware
You just talkin burners cause your A&R said so
You're only speaking of guns because your record label representative suggested it
Don't play the game like it's just a scrimmage
Take the music industry seriously; it's not a joke
Don't think that what you hearrrin is just a image
Don't assume that everything you're listening to is just a façade
How your songs though? You never spent a day in the bing
Your lyrics are not credible since you have never been to prison
Niggaz is movin they mouths but they ain't sayin a thing
People talk a lot but have nothing meaningful to say
Half why'all vets is heartless and rep regardless
Veteran rappers are often ruthless despite their status
Only time you seen a courtroom was pressin charges
The only time you've been in a courtroom was when you were pressing charges against someone else
How you baggin up white, but won't scrap in a fight
You're selling drugs but won't physically fight for what you claim to believe in
Sheeeeit, see'mon mayne, shit ain't addin up right
This situation doesn't make sense
When shit's thick, whatchu gon' do with that pound
When things become difficult, what will you do with your weapon?
But real recognize real, you must be new in this town
Genuine people know others who are genuine; you seem to be new to this reality
All I'm hearin is another nigga's life over tracks
All I hear is fictionalized accounts of someone else's life set to music
And you lames ain't willin to lose your life over rap
You're not willing to risk your life for your art
Tired of hearin' 'bout you rap dudes comin' with the guns
I'm exhausted by the number of rappers that claim to carry weapons
Never caught a body, had the smell comin from the trunk
You've never killed anyone or transported a dead body in your car
(And umm) I'm tired of hearin 'bout your four's bust
I'm also bored by your accounts of firing guns
While I was cuffed on a up North bus
While I was imprisoned on a bus heading north
Why'all fucked on a tour bus
You're having sex on a bus during your tour
All them stories 'bout you gettin' money with gangsters
All of your tales about earning money with criminals
(Guess what?) The shit is pretty funny to gangsters
Gangsters find your stories amusing
I'm tired of hearin' 'bout that gat in your boot
I'm fed up with you bragging about carrying a gun
'Cause when it's said and done
After all is said and done
And you finished that rap in the booth, it's back to the truth
After recording your song, you return to your regular life
And your shit is glass thug (and you) never outside
You are soft, not tough, and you never leave your house
'Cause youse a in the lab thug (youse a) pen and pad thug
You only pretend to be a thug when you're writing lyrics
It sounds good, you ain't pushin work in the projects
It may sound impressive, but you're not actually selling drugs in the ghetto
But you spittin' 'bout it when you work on your project
You include those false experiences in your music
Clown answer back, why'all never seen the hammers flash
If challenged, you wouldn't even pull out your gun
Just photo shoots when cameras flash
You only wield guns during photo shoots with flashing cameras
In direct beef between rappers, they be all thugs
When rappers argue, they all tend to act vicious
See each other in the street and dap, it's all love
When they run into each other outside, they greet each other with a handshake
War stories ain't yours about the pounds your man got
The stories you tell aren't about the drugs that your associate has
Only time you move bricks is when the SoundScan drop
You only handle drugs when SoundScan reports reveal the industry successes
You ain't never cooked nothin' by that kitchen sink
You've never cooked drugs in your own kitchen
And the only time you been behind bars was fixin' a drink
The only time you've served time in a cell was because you were making a beverage
You actin a fool, got real life and rap confused
You're making a fool of yourself by confusing reality with your music
With them ten o'clock songs, you just rappin' the news
Your songs sound like news reports at 10 pm, they're just informing people about events
But I ain't mad atcha flow, he tryin to stack his dough
I don't hate your talent, you're just trying to make some money
But everybody's a thug until them ratchets show
Everyone is tough until they're in danger
The same dudes that rap about (they get) stuck for all the 1's
People who claim to have a lot of money are often the same ones who get robbed for it
And if everybody's a killer, where the fuck is all the punks?
If everyone claims to be a murderer, then where are the cowardly people?
I hope you gettin your loot; just remember
I wish you success in making money, but keep in mind
What you spit in the booth
The words you say during your recording session
There's other people that's livin' proof
Other people exist who can attest to the truth of your claims
Why'all cats with all the mouth, just stay in your lane
All you loudmouths should just stick to what you do best
And pray that a real NUCCA don't decide to call you out
Hope that a truly dangerous person doesn't challenge you
[Chorus]
Repeat the chorus
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN POTTER, DENNIS EARLE LAMBERT, JOSEPH ANTHONY BUDDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bez Money
This was the Most Slept On Album In 2003. This joint had Alot of classics but unfortunately he came out when 50 Mania was crazy. Not his fault.
Jerzeejaylive
Psst. Cats don’t even know about this joint right here.
I4NI
4k do